CCL-Carnival Cruise Line announced new plans for its fleet expected to generate tremendous passenger excitement once the company resumes sailing, with a confirmed date for one additional Excel-class, LNG-powered liner arriving in November 2022, 4 ships either put on long term lay-up status or sold, and other vessels redeployed to new homeports, as Carnival seeks to leverage its strong network of seasonal and year-round homeports in the United States with upgraded offerings.
The highlights of the new fleet plan include:
As part of CCL's 50th anniversary in 2022, a November 2022 delivery date for the still unnamed (2nd Excel-class liner) has been confirmed from Meyer Turku shipyard. The sistership to Carnival Mardi Gras will sail out of Miami Florida, as previously announced. Carnival will open the new ship for sale in 2020-Q3 and passengers can register to be the "first to know" about the liner's itineraries and special open for sale promotions.
As part of the recent announcement of Carnival Corporation to reduce fleet capacity and focus on newer and upgraded vessels, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Fantasy were sold in mid-July. Carnival Imagination and Carnival Fascination move to a cold lay-up (long term no-sail) status, with no specific restart dates identified.
Carnival Sensation relocates from Miami to Mobile Alabama and takes up itineraries previously assigned to Fantasy and Fascination. All booked on those 2 ships are automatically re-accommodated on Sensation.
Carnival Sunrise changes homeport from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) to Miami and assumes the itineraries previously operated by Sensation. Passengers booked on Carnival Sunrise 4- and 5-day itineraries from Fort Lauderdale are automatically moved to cruises from Miami.
Carnival Sunrise is part of the company's 50th birthday celebration and there are no changes to her birthday sailing, scheduled for March 5, 2022. The special sailings feature at-sea ship rendezvous, special entertainment, onboard activities, promo offerings.
Carnival Fascination itineraries from homeports Bridgetown Barbados and San Juan Puerto planned for 2020-2021 are cancelled. Fascination will be homeported in mainland-USA (departure port TBA).
Itineraries for Imagination and Inspiration from homeport Long Beach CA are cancelled through April 19, 2021. Carnival Panorama continues with 7-day Mexico Riviera cruises from Long Beach CA. Carnival Miracle operates Baja Mexico cruises from San Diego CA.
Carnival Radiance will be relocated moves directly from Europe after completing the USD 200 million Victory-Radiance ship transformation. Radiance will be homeported in Los Angeles (Long Beach) in April 2021, assuming the Baja Mexico itineraries previously planned for Imagination and Inspiration. Passengers booked on Imagination and Inspiration (after April 22, 2021) are re-accommodated on Radiance.
Carnival Australia notified its customers that extends cruise shipping pause (ships Spirit and Splendor) and has cancelled 6x voyages scheduled between September 25-October 29, 2020.