Carnival’s 2026–2028 Dry Docks Announced: See Every Ship and Every Date

Last updated: October 13, 2026

Carnival Cruise Line’s dry dock schedule now stretches all the way into fall 2028, revealing a busy multi-year stretch of maintenance projects, cosmetic refreshes, and shipyard upgrades across the fleet. Several popular vessels will spend weeks—some more than a month—out of service, meaning cruisers with upcoming sailings should double-check their travel dates as the line’s shipyard plans continue to evolve.

The schedule includes a mix of traditional dry docks, wet docks, and longer maintenance periods, and 2027 is shaping up to be the busiest year of the bunch. On Carnival Corporation’s latest earnings call, the company said it expects five major dry docks in 2027, compared with just two in 2026.

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Carnival’s 2026 Dry Dock Lineup

Most of Carnival’s 2026 shipyard work is already behind it, with just one more ship heading in before the year wraps up.

Already Completed

Carnival Elation: January 16–February 9 (extended beyond its original dates)
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Encounter (wet dock)
Carnival Dream
Carnival Pride
Carnival Magic: wrapped up in May
Carnival Legend: wrapped up in May

Fall Dry Docks

Carnival Freedom: September 1–October 8
Carnival Radiance: September 12–October 2
Carnival Luminosa: October 23–November 12

Moved to 2027

Two ships that originally appeared on the 2026 schedule have since shifted into early 2027:

Carnival Glory
Carnival Paradise

Dry dock plans can shift, and changes may affect itineraries, homeports, or deployment. Guests with reservations near any of these windows should keep an eye on their booking details.

Carnival’s 2027 Dry Dock Schedule

2027 is where Carnival’s calendar really fills up, with seven ships cycling through the shipyard in the first five months alone.

Winter

Carnival Glory: January 4–January 20
Carnival Sunrise: January 9–January 26
Carnival Adventure: February 10–February 26 (wet dock)
Carnival Paradise: February 18–March 5
Carnival Breeze: February 26–March 16

Spring

Carnival Celebration: April 4–April 23
Carnival Horizon: April 24–May 12

Fall

Carnival Sunshine: October 30–November 14

Carnival’s 2028 Dry Dock Schedule

Carnival has already started mapping out 2028, and the list includes some of the newest ships in the fleet.

Winter

Carnival Conquest: January 1–February 1
Carnival Elation: January 17–January 31
Carnival Spirit: January 29–February 11

Spring

Carnival Venezia: April 1–April 24
Carnival Luminosa: April 20–May 27

Late Summer to Fall

Carnival Splendor: August 16–August 30
Carnival Jubilee: October 7–October 27

Jubilee’s spot on the list is a notable one. It will be the Excel-class ship’s first scheduled dry dock, following Carnival Celebration’s in 2027.

What Carnival Typically Updates During Dry Dock

Dry docks aren’t just routine inspections—they’re major maintenance periods that keep ships operating safely and feeling fresh for guests.

Most shipyard visits usually include:

Mechanical and technical work, such as hull inspections, propulsion checks, and steel repairs
Routine safety updates, including lifeboat and fire-suppression system servicing
Cosmetic enhancements, like new carpets, updated lighting, fresh tile work, and refinished public spaces
Cabin improvements, such as updated décor, new outlets, and refreshed finishes

Depending on the vessel’s age, Carnival may also:

Add or modernize dining venues and bars
Reconfigure areas to improve guest flow and accessibility
Update themes or décor to align older ships with newer fleet styling

Even ships receiving only standard maintenance often return looking noticeably cleaner and more modern.

Ships Not Yet Scheduled

Nearly every ship in Carnival’s fleet now has a shipyard window on the books. Some have recently completed work, and only one is still waiting on dates.

Ships with No Scheduled Dry Dock:

Carnival Firenze

What Cruisers Should Know

Carnival recommends that travelers check their booking details regularly—especially if sailing close to any scheduled shipyard windows. Dry dock dates can shift based on shipyard availability, project scope, and operational needs.

With dozens of ships heading for updates between now and late 2028, Carnival’s fleet is on track to emerge refreshed, modernized, and ready for the surge of demand the cruise industry continues to see heading into the late 2020s.

Carnival’s 2026–2028 Dry Docks Announced: See Every Ship and Every Date