What was the TSS Festivale?

TSS Festivale was Carnival's third ship, originally built as RMS Transvaal Castle in 1961. She joined Carnival in 1978 and served until 1996.

What innovation did Festivale pioneer?

In 1981, Festivale introduced the first waterslide at sea, revolutionizing cruise ship entertainment and paving the way for today's elaborate water parks.

TSS Festivale (1961) — First Waterslide at Sea

Item: TSS Festivale (1961)
Author: Ken Baker

The Innovation Pioneer

TSS Festivale earned her place in cruise history not through size or luxury, but through innovation. In 1981, she became the first cruise ship to feature a waterslide—a simple addition that revolutionized what passengers expected from cruise entertainment. That single slide opened the floodgates for the elaborate water parks we see on today's mega-ships.

Service Timeline

1961: Built as RMS Transvaal Castle by John Brown & Company, Scotland, for Union-Castle Line

1966: Became SA Vaal for South African Marine Corporation

1978: Purchased by Carnival, renamed TSS Festivale and converted to Fun Ship

1981: First waterslide installed at sea—cruise industry innovation

1996: Sold to Dolphin Cruise Line, renamed IslandBreeze

2000: Became Big Red Boat III for Premier Cruises

2003-04: Scrapped at Alang, India after 42 years of service

Specifications

Gross Tonnage: 27,000 GT
Length: 760 feet (232m)
Passenger Capacity: 1,400 passengers
Builder: John Brown & Co., Scotland
Carnival Service: 18 years (1978-1996)
Total Service: 42 years

From the Logbook

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Legacy

Every water park, every slide, every splash zone on modern cruise ships traces back to Festivale's pioneering spirit. She proved that cruising could be playful, that innovation didn't require new construction, and that Fun Ships meant finding new ways to deliver joy. The waterslide pioneer showed the industry that passengers wanted more than transportation—they wanted entertainment.