It has been a year, but Carnival Cruise Line returned to Mobile, Alabama with the embarkation of the Spirit class Carnival Spirit from her new homeport on October 6, 2023.
The last Carnival ship to cruise from Mobile, Alabama was the Fantasy class Carnival Ecstasy just when she returned to the port on October 15, 2022 marking her last cruise.
The cruise line’s senior vice president of operations, Sarah Beth Reno, Captain Salvatore Sivierio and the ship’s leadership team welcomed guests and distinguished visitors, which included City of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, and CEO David Clark, to an onboard celebration.
“It’s great to see another Carnival funnel amid the Mobile skyline today. We are truly pleased to continue our strong partnership of more than 21 years with the city of Mobile,” said Reno. “Carnival Spirit is the perfect ship to carry out this new cruise program for Mobile, offering more accommodation options and all that our guests expect to find on a ‘Fun Ship,’ along with longer itineraries that offer guests a wider range of destinations to explore.”
The ship’s chef treated guests to the Mobile spirit serving a large version of the city’s iconic MoonPie dessert. Mayor Stimpson cut the first piece of the massive MoonPie which was decorated with the iconic Carnival funnel design.
“Mobilians love to see a cruise ship on the waterfront, and Carnival Spirit is the best ship we’ve ever had. It will offer unparalleled itineraries and experiences and have a positive economic impact on the local retailers, restaurants and hotels that serve Carnival’s guests,” said Stimpson. “It was a pleasure to personally greet the first guests today and kick off what I know will be a successful cruising season.”
Carnival Spirit’s first cruise from the homeport is a eight-day Bahamas cruise with ports of call in Bimini, Freeport, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau. Through March 2024, the cruise ship will offer a series of six-night cruises to the Western Caribbean visiting Cozumel, Belize and Roatan, and eight-night cruises to the Bahamas.
In April, Carnival Spirit will sail a 16-day repositioning cruise from Tampa, Florida to Seattle. Ports of call along the way include George Town, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Columbia; the Panama Canal; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Once she arrives in Seattle, she will offer Alaskan cruises for the summer season.