MIAMI — Carnival Corp. said it has ordered two 2,174-passenger cruise ships at a combined cost of more than $1.1 billion for its AIDA Cruises brand, which sails in the growing European market and caters to German speakers.

The 71,000-ton ships will cost $558 million and $565 million, and will be built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The ships are scheduled to enter service in April 2011 and May 2012, Carnival said.

The company also said the Meyer Werft shipyard will be increasing the size of another ordered AIDA vessel to 71,000 tons with a passenger capacity of 2,174, making it a "sister" to the two ships ordered last week. That ship, which cost $514 million, is set to debut in April 2010.

Carnival has ordered six new ships for the AIDA brand and its "club resort" concept in the past three years, as European cruising has gained popularity among both Europe-based travelers and U.S. tourists.

Carnival is the world's largest cruise operator, with 11 brands and 85 ships in its portfolio. Carnival has 22 new ships scheduled to enter service between April 2008 and May 2012.

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