Carnival Redeploys Elation and Ecstasy

Carnival Elation

Carnival Cruises Redeploys Carnival Elation 

& Carnival Ecstasy

In a surprise move, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that they are pulling out of Mobile, Alabama in October, 2010.   Carnival Elation has been operating four-, five- and seven-night cruises out of Mobile, and is the only cruise vessel sailing out of the city.

According to the Mobile Press-Register, the news shocked local officials and cruise industry insiders, and leaves the city of Mobile with no direct revenue to pay the millions in debt remaining on the seven-year-old cruise terminal. 

Elation Moving to New Orleans

Carnival Elation will reposition from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans to operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises beginning November 5, 2011. On this route, four-day cruises will depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel, one of the Caribbean’s most popular ports, while five-day voyages will call at both Cozumel and Progreso.

Carnival Elation will join the Carnival Conquest in New Orleans, marking the first time Carnival has operated two ships from New Orleans in six years.  Carnival will be the only cruise line with two ships based year-round in New Orleans, carrying more than 350,000 passengers annually. 
     

Carnival Ecstasy Moving to Port Canaveral

The second part of the double repositioning is the move of the Carnival Ecstasy, which was to have sailed from New Orleans this coming season, to Port Canaveral, Florida.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will operate four- and five-day Bahamas cruises from the Space Coast beginning November 7, 2011.  The move further bolsters Carnival’s position as Port Canaveral’s largest cruise operator with three year-round ships carrying approximately 600,000 guests annually.

Carnival Ecstasy will depart Thursdays on four-day ‘long weekend’ cruises visiting Nassau and Half Moon Cay or Freeport. Five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay or Key West.

Prior to repositioning to Port Canaveral, the Carnival Ecstasy will continue to operate from Galveston, Texas through September 8, 2011 and then from New Orleans September 22 through November 5, 2011, as previously scheduled.     


Guests with Current Reservations
As a result of these deployment changes, Carnival will no longer offer cruises from Mobile, Ala.  Guests booked on those voyages will have the option of re-booking from an alternate homeport and receive a $25 per person onboard credit, or they can elect to receive a full refund.

Guests booked on cruises from New Orleans on the Carnival Ecstasy that will now be operated on the Carnival Elation are being automatically shifted to the Carnival Elation.  Itineraries on the Carnival Elation will be identical to those that were scheduled for the Carnival Ecstasy.  The two vessels are sister ships with largely similar features, amenities and staterooms. (Those guests who were booked in standard balcony staterooms on the Carnival Ecstasy – a cabin category not featured on the Carnival Elation – will be contacted individually to discuss their preferences.) The movement of bookings from Carnival Ecstasy to Carnival Elation will be completed by Friday, March 11, 2011 at which time new bookings can be made.

Cruise Itineary Changes Due to Matthew

NHC Experimental Graphic TS Matthew  (click for latest)

Tropical Storm Matthew is producing heavy rainfall in Central America.  Carnival Cruise Line has altered several itineraries as a result of this storm.   We will continue to bring you updates from Carnival and other cruise lines as they become available.    Since these advisories can occur at any time, we have also included links so that you can see if the information has been updated.

For details about the storm itself, see related blog post:

Tropical Storm Matthew Prompts Hurricane Warnings

Carnival Cruise Line :  (click for latest update)


TROPICAL WEATHER UPDATE 
SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 – 6:00 PM
We are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Matthew which has developed in the Gulf of Mexico.  Based on the current information, we will be making changes to the following itineraries to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests.

Carnival Cruise Line Itinerary Changes
Carnival Destiny: Day    Port                         Arrive        Depart  Sat     Miami                                       4:00PM Sun    Fun Day at Sea Mon   Grand Cayman     7:00AM    4:00PM Tue    Ocho Rios             7:30AM    3:30PM Wed   Fun Day at Sea Thu    Miami                     8:00AM	Carnival Elation: Day    Port                         Arrive        Depart Sat     Mobile                                      4:00PM Sun    Fun Day at Sea Mon    Freeport               11:00AM   6:00PM Tue    Key West               9:00 AM    5:00PM Wed   Fun Day at Sea Thu    Mobile                   8:00 AM
Carnival Freedom: Day   Port                            Arrive      Depart  Sat    Ft. Lauderdale                         4:00PM Sun   Fun Day at Sea Mon   San Juan                 5:00PM   Midnight Tue   St. Thomas              7:00AM    6:00PM Wed  Antigua                     7:00AM    6:00PM Thu   Tortola                       7:00AM   3:30PM Fri     Fun Day at Sea Sat    Nassau                     Noon      7:00PM Sun Ft. Lauderdale           8:00AM	Carnival Inspiration: Day   Port of Call                Arrive       Depart        Sat   Tampa                                         4:00PM Sun   Key West                   Noon    10:00PM Mon   Fun Day at Sea Tue   Grand Cayman         8:00AM   5:00PM Wed   Fun Day at Sea Thu   Tampa                       8:00AM
Carnival Liberty: Day   Port                             Arrive       Depart Sat    Miami                                          4:00PM Sun   Fun Day at Sea Mon  Ocho Rios                 9:30AM    5:30PM Tue   Grand Cayman         9:00AM   6:00PM Wed  Fun Day at Sea Thu   Cozumel                     8:00AM   5:00PM Fri      Fun Day at Sea Sat     Miami                         8:00AM	Carnival Triumph: Day   Port of Call                 Arrive       Depart        Sat    New Orleans                                4:00PM Sun   Fun Day at Sea Mon   Key West                   10:00AM    6:00PM Tue    Fun Day at Sea Wed  Isla Roatan                  8:00AM    6:00PM Thu   Cozumel                       9:00AM    5:00PM Fri      Fun Day at Sea Sat    New Orleans               8:00AM

In addition, all of Carnival’s other ships are operating the scheduled itineraries.

We will post updates on Carnival.com as new information becomes available.  Most importantly, we look forward to welcoming our guests onboard this weekend.

Links to other  Cruise Lines

MSC CRUISES: 


Norwegian Cruise Line:

Royal Caribbean International:  

Celebrity Cruises: 

Drive to Your Next Cruise Vacation

Stretching the Vacation Budget

A recent survey indicated that more and more families are deciding not to fly to their destination this year and instead are taking to the roads.   This makes sense especially for families with two or more children.   The cost of airfare adds up quickly when you travel with the entire family.

You don't have to limit your final destination to the 50 contiguous states if you decide to drive to your vacation spot.  Did you know that there are 23 U.S. ports that you can select from, some of which offer year-round cruising?

These cruise ports also offer parking facilities, some of which are covered parking, that offer prices comparable to airport parking garages.   You can also explore near-by hotels that offer stay and park packages complete with transportation to the pier.

Carnival Fascination Sailing From
Charleston, SC  Year-round

Starting May 18th, Carnival Fascination is sailing year-round five-, six- and seven-day cruises to The Bahamas and Key West, Florida from Charleston, SC.   The ship will also offer six six-day Bermuda cruises from Charleston next year.  Carnival Fantasy is expected to carry 140,000 passengers annually from Charleston.

This past week, Carnival Cruises and Charleston officials participated in several events commemorating the new sailing program including: Carnival’s Launch of Year-Round Service from Charleston Highlighted by City’s First-Ever Water Slide Races

The recent addition of the awesome aquatic amenities of Carnival WaterWorks, Serenity Adult-only Retreat, and a tropical resort-style pool make this 70,367 ton, 2,056 passenger vessel the perfect vacation destination.

Elation Arrival, Courtesy Carnival

Carnival Elation Sailing From

Mobile, AL Year-round

Starting May 15th, Carnival Elation replaced Carnival Fascination sailing four-, five- and seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from Mobile, Alabama.  Carnival Elation is scheduled to operate 74 voyages annually from Mobile, carrying an estimated 170,000 passengers each year.

This past week, Carnival Cruises and Mobile officials participated in a traditional maritime plaque ceremony to commemorate launch of the year-round program. Carnival Elation is a sister ship of Carnival Fascination, so the same on-board amenities await you and your family.

These are just a couple examples of recent announcements for cruise vacation options from ports of call within driving distance.   So pack up the family and drive to one of the U.S. ports of call to begin your cruise.