New Carnival Cruise Line ship Carnival Celebration arrived in Southampton over the weekend, marking the first time the line has brought a new ship to the UK in 20 years.

The Excel-class ship hosted local officials, travel partners, and members of the media for guided tours and lunch.

Carnival Cruise Line took delivery of the ship at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, last week.

Carnival Celebration’s maiden voyage is a 14-day transatlantic sailing to Miami, where the line will host the official naming ceremony with godmother Cassidy Gifford.

Carnival Celebration the ‘ultimate birthday gift’

Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said: “I can’t tell you how exciting this day has been, finally giving our UK travel partners the opportunity to see our new Excel-class ship.

“Carnival Celebration is the ultimate 50th birthday gift and is a key part of a very unique and exciting period of growth for us.

“It’s been a wonderful 50 years, and we kicked off the next 50 with a bang today. Next up – Miami.”

Carnival Celebration features the Miami-themed 820 Biscayne and the Bolt rollercoaster.

It is also the second ship in the Carnival fleet to be powered by a liquefied natural gas propulsion system.

Carnival intends to add five new ships to its fleet over the coming two years. The third Excel-class ship, Carnival Jubilee, will debut from Galveston next year.