Carnival Cruise Lines has officially commenced construction on its next ship, with the first steel laid on Carnival Vista this week.

Due to launch in 2016, the 4,000-passenger ship is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy’s Monfalcone. It will be the line’s 25th vessel.

Last year, Carnival chief executive Gerry Cahill said Carnival Vista will have similar features to Carnival Breeze, but will remain unique in its own way.

“It will look different then Breeze, and it’ll have spaces that are different than Breeze,” Mr Cahill explained.

“But it will have a lot of the same spaces as Breeze.”

The ship is also expected to be equipped with Fun Ship 2.0 features including the RedFrog Rum Bar, Guy’s Burger Joint, The Punchliner Comedy Club and DJ’s trained by popular DJ Irie.

Itineraries and home port information will be released closer to the ship’s launch.