CCL-Carnival Cruise Line restarted passenger operations on Saturday, March 5, from Mobile (Alabama USA) with Carnival Ecstasy.
Carnival Ecstasy passengers will enjoy a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise with a call in Cozumel. Ecstasy is the first cruise ship to depart from Mobile AL in ~2 years. Her cruise is also the kickoff of Carnival’s Sailabration festivities which celebrate the line’s 50th Birthday.
To commemorate this special day, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy hosted a “Back to Fun” and 50th Birthday event at Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal, cutting the ceremonial ribbon and welcoming the first passengers on board.
Carnival also announced the line's future plans for Mobile. It will introduce a new seasonal 6- and 8-day cruise program from the port beginning October 6, 2023, through March 30, 2024, with Carnival Spirit. the ship’s new Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries will call at Half Moon Cay (Bahamas Carnival private island), Mahogany Bay (Roatan Island, Honduras), and Bimini, among other ports.
Carnival and Mobile have enjoyed their partnership since 2002 when the cruise line began offering a short series of cruises from the port. In 2004, Carnival Cruise Line introduced its first year-round program from Mobile, later expanded with the 2,052-passenger Carnival Fantasy, and then replaced with Carnival Elation.
Carnival Ecstasy cruises from Mobile AL include 4- and 5-day Western Caribbean itineraries through October 10, 2022, with 4-day sailings visiting Cozumel (Mexico) and 5-day sailings visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya/Yucatan (Progreso). Carnival's Ecstasy will also sail on a 10-day Carnival Journeys Caribbean voyage leaving on September 12, 2022, visiting Key West, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Grand Cayman (George Town), Cozumel.
The ship’s October 10, 2022 voyage will be Carnival Ecstasy's last in passenger operations, as the company announced the ship will leave the fleet.