Carnival Corporation is heading into a busy and important year as it prepares to send a large portion of its global fleet into drydock during 2026.
According to company executives, the scale of work planned makes next year one of the most maintenance-heavy periods in recent history.
Speaking during the company’s year-end and fourth-quarter earnings call in December, Chief Financial Officer David Bernstein revealed that Carnival expects more than 615 total drydock days across its eight cruise brands.
That figure highlights just how much focus the company is placing on fleet upgrades, repairs, and long-term performance.
Bernstein also noted that overall spending on drydock projects in 2026 will remain roughly in line with previous years. This suggests that while the schedule is packed, Carnival is managing costs carefully while still investing in its ships.
Drydocks play a critical role in keeping cruise ships safe, efficient, and appealing to guests. These planned maintenance periods allow cruise lines to modernize cabins, upgrade public spaces, and address technical systems that can’t be serviced while sailing.
AIDA Evolution Leads the Drydock Schedule
Some of the longest drydock periods next year will involve ships from Carnival’s AIDA Cruises brand. Two vessels, AIDAbella and AIDAmar, are set to undergo nearly 50 days each as part of the AIDA Evolution upgrade program.
AIDAbella is scheduled to enter drydock in January, while AIDAmar will follow later in November. These extensive upgrades are expected to bring refreshed interiors, improved technology, and enhanced guest spaces.
Several Carnival Cruise Line ships will also spend time out of service throughout the year. Carnival Elation is planned for drydock in January, followed by Carnival Pride in March and Carnival Magic in April.
Later in the year, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Luminosa are both scheduled for drydock in September. Each of these projects will focus on maintenance, safety improvements, and onboard updates.
Carnival Corporation President and CEO Josh Weinstein added that the AIDA Evolution program may soon expand to other brands within the company’s portfolio. This signals a broader strategy to standardize upgrades and improve consistency across the fleet.
This move follows other recent itinerary updates across the fleet, including Carnival Pride’s newly announced Carnival Journeys cruise from Baltimore, which highlights the brand’s continued focus on longer, experience-driven sailings.
With more than 615 drydock days planned, 2026 is shaping up to be a year focused less on expansion and more on strengthening the ships already in service.
For passengers, these upgrades are expected to translate into smoother sailings, fresher onboard experiences, and improved long-term reliability.
