Carnival Cruise Line is notifying travel advisors and guests of changes to its fleet deployment plan, including two ships leaving the Carnival fleet, as it continues to implement its restart of guest operations in the US and adjusts for the continued uncertainty of cruising in Australia.
As part of this deployment plan, Carnival Sensation will not restart guest operations and Carnival Ecstasy’s last cruise in guest operations will be its Oct. 10, 2022, departure from Mobile, resulting in both ships leaving the Carnival fleet.
The ship shuffle will also include the addition of two additional Excel-class ships and the transfer of the Costa Magica to the Carnival fleet.
Carnival had previously announced that Carnival Sensation’s restart was delayed, and that Carnival Ecstasy would move from Jacksonville, Fla. to Mobile, Ala. to operate what were previously planned as the Carnival Sensation itineraries, effective with the March 5, 2022, restart. In addition, Carnival said that Carnival Spirit would go to Jacksonville to take over the March 7, 2022, restart in Jacksonville, operating the previously scheduled Carnival Ecstasy itineraries.
Carnival is now announcing the following updates:
• Jacksonville: As previously announced, Carnival Spirit will replace Carnival Ecstasy in Jacksonville. While that will happen for departures from March 7 through April 9, 2022, the next two cruises are being cancelled, and then a new ship will be assigned from the Carnival fleet to Jacksonville for the Ecstasy itineraries, effective Apr. 23, 2022. That announcement will be made shortly.
• Mobile: Carnival Ecstasy will reposition to Mobile for departures from March 5 through Oct. 10, 2022. Cruises from Mobile that were planned for Carnival Sensation from Oct. 15, 2022, through Sep. 30, 2023, have been cancelled. At a later date, Carnival will be announcing a new operating plan for Mobile cruises.
• Australia: Carnival is cancelling planned operations of Carnival Splendor from Jun. 10, 2022, through Sep. 26, 2022, and of Carnival Spirit from June 5, 2022, to Oct. 5, 2023. Details for a two-ship return to Australia will be announced when they are confirmed.
“Our guests have remained passionate and supportive throughout the restart and 2022 gives us plenty of reasons for enthusiasm and excitement as we reach full operations in the US, prepare for our 50th birthday celebration, and await the arrival of Carnival Celebration this fall,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our very loyal guests, our vibrant homeport strategy and our fleet of popular ships are strengths to our advantage as we adapt to changing opportunities and circumstances.”