More Cruise Capacity for Big Apple
Every change in cruise ship deployment results in "winners" and "losers". If you are on the East Coast, you can consider yourself in the win column of this redeployment announced by Carnival Cruises.
Carnival Splendor Moves
to New York in 2013
Carnival will reposition Carnival Miracle to the West Coast following a special Panama Canal voyage, and bring Carnival Splendor to New York, following three spectacular South America cruises.
Carnival Splendor, a four-year-old, 3,006-passenger ship, will be
redeployed in spring 2013 to New York City, where it will sail
year-round Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida cruises. The Splendor had sailed year-round itineraries
from Long Beach-to-Mexico since 2009. The Splendor will be upgraded
with Fun Ship 2.0 amenities in a Q4 2012 dry dock.
For more information on Fun Ship 2.0, see: Introducing Fun Ship 2.0
Year-Round from New York
Beginning March 23, 2013, Carnival Splendor will launch a
year-round schedule of eight-day Caribbean cruises from New York with
three uniquely different itineraries that showcase the brilliant
diversity of destinations throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and
Florida.
The
eight-day itineraries include Bahamas/Florida cruises with port calls
to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Fla., Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas;
Eastern Caribbean departures with visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico, St.
Thomas, U.S.V.I. and Grand Turk; and Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises to
the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau.
There will also be a special seven-day Bermuda cruise departing April
16, 2013.
Less Capacity for West Coast
The "losers" in this redeployment appear to be those passengers hoping to go to the Mexican Riviera and other parts west from their own backyard port in Long Beach, CA.
All the major cruise lines have been gradually redeploying their ships from the West Coast market, citing increased violence and drug-related incidents in Mexico.
While on the surface that seems to make sense, given news reports, one has to wonder if that were really the case, would there be
any ships sailing there at all. So, the real truth is that the cruise lines just aren't making the amount of money they'd hope for in that market.
Carnival Miracle, an eight-year-old, 2,124-passenger ship, will move from the Big Apple to the West Coast in Spring 2013. The Miracle will sail a seasonal Mexican Riviera itinerary along with Alaska and Hawaii itineraries which had currently been offered on Carnival Spirit. Carnival Miracle recently underwent its facelift with the addition of the adults-only Serenity and other enhancements.
Panama Canal
Carnival Miracle will operate a 15-day Panama Canal cruise from New York to Long Beach March 16-31, 2013, positioning the vessel for its year-round West Coast deployment. In addition to the unforgettable experience of transiting the Panama Canal, the cruise will visit beautiful and historic destinations in five different countries, including Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Mexican Riviera
Carnival Miracle will operate seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach featuring the seaside resort town of Puerto Vallarta and a special two-day visit to beautiful Cabo San Lucas. These popular cruises will be offered in April 2013 and from October 2013 through April 2014.
Alaska
Carnival Miracle will reposition from Long Beach to Seattle in spring 2013 to operate the line’s seven-day “Fun Ship” Alaska program. Following a special eight-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seattle departing April 29, the week-long voyages will depart from Seattle every Tuesday from May 7 to Sept. 10, 2013, calling at the scenic Alaska destinations of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord. This unforgettable Alaskan experience will offer consumers myriad opportunities to explore and enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery and wildlife of The Last Frontier.
Hawaii
Carnival Miracle will offer several 15-day Hawaii cruises in 2013 and 2014. Three cruises will operate roundtrip from Long Beach with departures on Oct. 19 and Dec. 7, 2013, as well as Jan. 18, 2014. There will also be a 15-day Hawaii cruise from Long Beach to Vancouver departing April 14, 2013 and another from Vancouver to Long Beach departing Sept. 17, 2013. These voyages feature some of the Aloha State’s most beautiful and breathtaking ports of call, including Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili, Kahului, and Honolulu.
Carnival Spirit, a ten-year old, 2124 passenger ship, will
reposition to Australia to offer the line's first cruises in that
region. (more on this in another post).
We will take a closer look at some of the special itineraries, in other posts.
