Carnival Imagination

The 1995-built cruise ship Carnival Imagination was the fifth in an eight-vessel Fantasy-class series, along with sisterships Fantasy, Elation, Inspiration, Paradise, and the "balcony ships" Fascination, Sensation, and Ecstasy.

On August 27, Carnival Imagination departed Port Willemstad (Curacao Island) for a Transatlantic crossing to Europe. Her AIS transponder indicated the destination as ALIAGA TURKEY. In July–August 2020, fleetmates Fantasy and Inspiration were also dismantled and recycled at the Aliaga Ship Recycling Facility (near Port Izmir, Turkey). Carnival Imagination was last drydock refurbished in 2019.

A total of 156 Carnival Imagination cruises were canceled — departures scheduled from November 1, 2020, through April 28, 2022. The ship had been planned to homeport in Long Beach–Los Angeles (California, USA) and operate short Baja Mexico itineraries — 3-day (to Ensenada) and 4-day (to Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada).

The liner entered Mediterranean waters on September 7 and arrived at Aliaga Bay on September 13. Her AIS transponder went silent on September 14 at 14:58 UTC, marking the moment she was beached for demolition.

History - Construction and Ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US-based cruise company, trademarked brand, and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924–1999, also co-founder of Norwegian Cruise Line).

CCL operates the largest fleet within the Carnival Corporation portfolio, both by vessel count and gross tonnage (GT). As of 2023, CCL held approximately 9% of global cruise industry revenue and about 19% of the worldwide passenger share. In 2024, Carnival Corporation represented around 51% of the US$64+ billion cruise market.

The 2052-passenger Carnival Imagination was one of Carnival’s oldest “Fun Ships,” last drydock refurbished in 2019. Her 2008 drydock brought the “Evolution of Fun” (Fun Ship 1.0) upgrades, including the Serenity adults-only sundeck and the Carnival WaterWorks aqua park. The $250 million renovation modernized the ship, adding 50 connecting staterooms and a revamped Camp Carnival with a dedicated kids' water park and youth programming. Despite her age, the upgrades gave her a refreshed, near-new appearance.

During her CCL service, the vessel (IMO number 9053878) was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI number 309933000) and registered in Nassau.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Imagination staterooms (1026 total, across 19 categories) include 54 Suites (no Balcony cabins), 564 Oceanviews, and 408 Interior cabins. Most rooms measured 170–185 ft² (16–17 m²). The ship had 25 wheelchair-accessible cabins and no standard Balcony accommodations. Grand Suites, the most spacious at 330 ft² (31 m²) plus a 70–115 ft² (7–11 m²) terrace, accommodated up to four passengers and featured sitting areas, large bathrooms (with whirlpool tubs and separate showers), VIP amenities, and exclusive services.

The ship had 13 decks, 10 of which were accessible to passengers and 5 of which had cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

Main dining venues included the Pride and Spirit Dining Rooms. Casual dining was available at the Horizon Bar and Grill buffet, offering a wide range of options: cereal, bacon, pancakes in the morning; burgers, deli, made-to-order pizza at lunch; and prime rib, lamb, or turkey at dinner. In the evenings, the buffet transformed into the Seaview Bistro. Additional venues included poolside grills, a complimentary sushi bar, specialty coffee and pastry bars, and 24-hour room service with a limited breakfast menu.

Unlike other Fun Ships, Carnival Imagination had no specialty restaurant or supper club. However, the Chef’s Table experience was available. This exclusive dining event offered a private multicourse dinner, cocktail reception, and a galley tour, priced at $75 per person and held in non-traditional venues like the library or galley.

Complete list of Carnival Imagination restaurants and food bars:

• Pride Dining Room (650-seat, forward Main Dining Room with two fixed dinner seatings or "Your Time Dining"; offers themed breakfasts including "Seuss At Sea" for $5 cover charge)
• Spirit Dining Room (658-seat, aft Main Dining Room with two fixed dinner seatings)
• Horizon Lido Buffet Restaurant (722-seat, self-serve venue with various food stations; operates as Seaview Bistro in the evenings)
• Sushi Bar (complimentary)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (Lido Deck, complimentary poolside burgers and fries)
• BlueIguana Cantina (Lido Deck, complimentary poolside Mexican food bar with burritos, tacos, salsa, and toppings bar)

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

The two-level Dynasty Lounge served as the main showroom. The Promenade Deck featured the Dream Bar, piano bar, Illusions Dance Club, Shangri La Lounge, Pinnacle Club, and El Dorado Lounge. Other key venues included the Xanadu Lounge and the Grand Atrium Plaza with its lobby bar.

The Fitness Center was complimentary, with optional fee-based yoga classes. The jogging track on the top deck required 8 laps for 1 mile. Deck 11 housed Carnival WaterWorks, an aqua park with the signature Twister Waterslide and kid-friendly attractions. Live music entertained guests each afternoon at the main pool. The Serenity adults-only area featured 120 lounges and two whirlpools.

A special "Carnival Playtime" event, launched in 2017, featured a partnership with Hasbro, bringing My Little Pony and Transformers-themed games and characters onboard select 4-day cruises from Long Beach (July 13–September 17, 2017).

Complete list of Carnival Imagination lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Imagination Grand Atrium Plaza (7-deck high open space with Lobby Bar)
• Internet Café (24-hour computer room)
• Dynasty Theatre (1300-seat, two-level main show lounge)
• Mirage Piano Bar (92-seat)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Lido Deck, poolside bar for frozens and beer)
• Alchemy Bar (Promenade Deck, cocktail lounge with mixologists)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (Promenade Deck, Caribbean-style bar with ThirstyFrog Red beer)
• Cherry On Top (candy store with Carnival merchandise and gifts)
• Imagination Promenade and Bar (230-seat)
• Vittorio’s Café (58-seat specialty coffee bar)
• Shangri La Lounge and Bar (109-seat, karaoke and dance floor)
• Illusions Disco and Nightclub (230-seat dance club)
• Pinnacle Club Bar (92-seat cigar bar with piano)
• Xanadu Lounge (540-seat, hosts Punchliner Comedy Club and brunch)
• Art Gallery, Photo Gallery and Shop, Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, gifts), The Fun Shops (souvenirs, jewelry, duty-free items)
• Circle C (complimentary youth club with movies, games, and activities)
• 24-hour Video Arcade; Club O2 teen lounge (movies, parties, karaoke)
• Eldorado Casino (450-seat, served by Dream Bar)
• Serenity (adults-only relaxation zone with padded loungers, hammocks, whirlpools)
• Imagination Lido Pool and Carnival WaterWorks (Twister Waterslide, racing slides, splash zone)
• Camp Carnival (renovated in 2016 to Camp Ocean – kids' lounge with supervised programs)
• Spa Carnival (wellness complex with gym, steam rooms, saunas, massage rooms, salon)
• Basketball/Volleyball Court, Jogging Track, Table Tennis, 9-hole Mini-Golf, Shuffleboard

Itineraries

Carnival Imagination’s itinerary program included 3- and 4-day "Catalina-Ensenada" roundtrips from Los Angeles (Long Beach, CA), visiting Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada, Baja Mexico. Her short cruises attracted many first-time cruisers as well as loyal guests who appreciated the ship’s casual ambiance and familiar layout.