When the upcoming Excel-class Carnival Festivale officially debuts in 2027, it’s hitting the high seas with music built right into its core. Across the entire ship, Carnival is introducing a lineup of brand-new, totally next-level bar and lounge concepts that bring together live sound, responsive lighting, and interactive technology. The goal? Giving guests a chance to completely find their own rhythm rather than just sitting back and watching a performance.
But what's driving the design behind these new spaces isn't just a desire for fresh decor. According to Zach Sulkes, Carnival’s Assistant Vice President of Beverage Operations, it’s a direct response to a massive shift in how we are vacationing—specifically, the explosive boom in premium, non-alcoholic drinks.
"One of the big changes we've seen that is also very apparent in the domestic US market is people are drinking less alcoholic spirits," Sulkes explained during The Next Course panel. "People are definitely moderating what they drink. Our water consumption is through the roof, our coffee is 100% coffee is through the roof. Energy drinks are through the roof and non-alcoholic cocktails are also through the roof too."
While Carnival's traditional alcohol sales are still growing at a healthy 10% clip on vacation, their non-alcoholic beverage category has officially grown by 15%. To capitalize on that trend, the cruise line recently rolled out its standalone "Cheers! Zero Proof" unlimited daily beverage package fleetwide.
"About six to eight months ago, we started looking at the trends that are happening again in the non-alcoholic space and came up with another one called Cheers Zero Proof," Sulkes noted. "Much lower price point, obviously, because it doesn't include anything alcoholic. It's been hugely successful."
On the Carnival Festivale, that balanced approach is built directly into the experience—introducing hyper-creative venues that celebrate premium mixology and elevated non-alcoholic options side-by-side.
Related: Carnival Announces a Massive Overhaul to Onboard Dining—Here’s What’s Changing
Music-Infused Mixology at Studio 724
Studio 724 on Carnival FestivaleCarnival
The absolute heart of the ship's new nightlife will live inside Studio 724, a two-deck entertainment zone that serves as a first-of-its-kind celebration of the music-making process. Spanning across Decks 6 and 7, this high-energy hub uses interactive technology, synchronized lighting, and animations that actually respond to sound in real time. It’s designed to capture the raw energy of mixing, recording, and listening to music, meaning guests don't just watch the fun—they literally become part of the experience.
Nestled right inside this vibrant neighborhood are two brand-new bar concepts designed to merge live audio with craft drinks:
First up is Mix Bar, a creative, DJ-studio-inspired venue featuring a turntable-themed bar counter. Here, guests can order signature music-themed libations like the "Synth" and the "Hi-Fi," or play producer by interactively choosing different flavor "tracks" to layer together into a custom cocktail.
Seating and bar area at MixCarnival
Just down the way is The Spark, a vibrant live-music lounge designed to capture the creative energy of a songwriter's studio. The venue features cocktails inspired by iconic songs, nightly live music performances and a setting that celebrates the creative spaces where musicians and songwriters gather.
Carnival
Sulkes highlighted that creating these custom menus is one of the most rewarding aspects of a new ship build:
"When we get to develop something new… I get to create new cocktails for [these venues]… it's those types of things where you get to really key into what's the flavor profile [and] how can I then accentuate that from a drink perspective."
Related: Carnival Completely Transforms One of Its Best Private Ports Into a Luxury Resort
Coffee by Day, Martinis by Night
A first look at Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, Carnival’s new "Up Hour" dual-concept venue.Carnival Cruise Line
Because cruise ship real estate is always at a premium, Carnival is also leaning heavily into hybrid spaces that change identities depending on the time of day.
On Deck 8's promenade, the line is introducing Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar. Throughout the morning and afternoon, the space operates as a bustling artisan espresso cafe to handle the ship's heavy coffee demand. But right around 3:00 PM, the venue completely flips its lighting and layout, transforming into a sophisticated, upscale cocktail and martini lounge for the pre-dinner crowd.
"We've realized... the growth in [non-alcoholic drinks] and definitely coffee has been really real," Sulkes shared. "So we need more spaces to sell coffee... it's a coffee bar in the morning and the afternoon, and then it flips, and about three o'clock it turns into a cocktail bar... It really is leading into how do you repurpose [a space]."
Related: Carnival's Next Ship is Getting a First-of-Its-Kind Coffee Hub That Completely Transforms at 3 P.M.
The zero-proof strategy takes center stage up on the top decks inside Sunsation Point, the ship's new open-air family waterpark district. The zone features Sunsation Sips, a venue built around a wall of commercial slushie machines turning out frozen piña coladas, daiquiris, and margaritas. To make the space entirely family-friendly, every single frozen machine is 100% non-alcoholic by default, giving kids a fun place to grab a drink. However, parents looking for an actual cocktail can simply request premium "floaters" of high-end liquor over the top of the frozen base.
For adults looking to enjoy a drink with a view on the upper decks, the cruise line is also debuting the Scenic Overlook Bar on Deck 17. Positioned right at the back of the ship, the open-air venue is designed to be the ultimate escape for traditional sail-away toasts.
"It's called the Scenic Overlook, but I look at it as the Sail Away Bar," Sulkes told the audience at The Next Course panel discussion. "[Located] on the very back of the ship, you're sitting here sailing away… seeing the waves, [and] beautiful sunset[s]… I think it's just a great space."
More Room for a Fan Favorite
While the new concepts are taking center stage, Carnival is using the ship's expanded footprint to fix a long-standing logistical headache for repeat cruisers. The line’s signature vintage-themed Alchemy Bar is famously the most popular bar on any ship by a mile—meaning it is routinely slammed with crowds.
On the Festivale, the design team is finally moving Alchemy Bar out of the tight walkway corners. By relocating it into a significantly larger, open atrium-side space on a completely different deck, they are connecting it directly to an expansive lounge area with plenty of extra seating to ease the nightly traffic jam.
Between the introduction of interactive music bars, flexible day-to-night cafes, and smarter family zones, the new lineup on Carnival Festivale proves that big-ship bar menus are officially evolving to match the tastes of a much more mindful generation of travelers.
Related: Carnival Brings Back Iconic 'Destiny' Name for New 8,000-Passenger 'Jumbo' Mega-Ship
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