Carnival Valor to Bring More Capacity to Mobile for 2027-28

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Valor will become the first Conquest-class ship to homeport in Mobile, Alabama, beginning year-round cruises in May 2027.
  • The ship’s itineraries will range from 6 to 8 days, visiting RelaxAway (formerly Half Moon Cay) and Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
  • Carnival Glory and Carnival Conquest will homeport in Port Canaveral and Miami, respectively.

Cruise passengers along the Gulf Coast will soon have a larger ship to sail from Mobile, Alabama, as Carnival Cruise Line will homeport Carnival Valor there beginning in 2027.

The cruise line announced today the 110,000-gross-ton ship will offer year-round sailings from the port on May 15, 2027, marking the first time a Conquest-class ship has been deployed to Mobile.

The redeployment is part of Carnival’s 2027-28 itinerary rollout, expanding the cruise line’s capacity in the region and restoring Mobile’s year-round service.

“Mobile has been an important part of the Carnival family, and we’re thrilled to mark the return of year-round deployment with our first-ever Conquest-class ship serving the market,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Valor will sail 6- to 8-day itineraries visiting the Bahamas and the redeveloped private island destination currently known as Half Moon Cay as it transitions into the new RelaxAway beach club with new lunch venues and bars, and a two-ship pier in summer of 2026.

The ship’s itineraries will also include calls at the new Celebration Key destination on Grand Bahama Island, which debuted in July 2025.

“This is a big win for our guests who love the convenience of cruising close to home, and for the community that has supported us for many years,” Duffy said. Carnival Valor will bring even more opportunity for fun, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard.”

Before repositioning to Alabama, the 2,980-passenger vessel will complete her New Orleans season with a 5-day sailing on May 1, 2027, followed by two 4-day Mexico cruises on May 6 and May 10.

Carnival Cruise Line will also maintain a seasonal presence in Mobile with Carnival Spirit operating between October 2026 and April 2027 until Carnival Valor arrives.

Dancing of the Ships

Carnival Valor’s Mobile-based itineraries will include two 14-day Journeys sailings featuring extended calls at Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal ports.

The first Journey departs September 26, 2027, calling at Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Cartagena, Colombia; Colón, Panama; Limón, Costa Rica; Cozumel, Mexico; and in the ABC’s at Aruba and Curaçao.

The second departs January 16, 2028, with stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Aruba and Curaçao, and Celebration Key.

Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal
Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal)

Read Also: Things to Know About the Mobile Cruise Terminal in Alabama

A special Thanksgiving cruise is also planned for November 20, 2027, with a 7-day itinerary that includes Key West, Nassau, and Celebration Key.

Meanwhile, sister ship Carnival Glory will continue operating from Port Canaveral in 2027, sailing 3- and 4-day trips to the Bahamas.

The cruise line’s first Conquest-class vessel, Carnival Conquest, will remain based in Miami in 2027, offering 3- to 5-day voyages.

Both ships will feature stops at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key.

In addition, Carnival Conquest will also operate two longer Journeys sailings. The first departs November 1, 2027, for an 11-day voyage to Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Celebration Key, and St. Thomas.

The second, visiting St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Celebration Key, will depart on November 19, 2027.

Carnival Cruise Line’s 2027-2028 reshuffling aims to meet growing demand and introduce new routes for loyal guests, offering enticing options for both new and frequent cruisers.

Lissa Poirot
Lissa Poirot
Lissa Poirot has been covering travel for more than a decade, including sites such as TripAdvisor, CruiseCritic, The Points Guy, Family Vacation Critic, and Family Traveller. Her love of travel has led Lissa to visit more than 43 countries and has her on a mission to see every state in the U.S. (only 4 states to go!). When she's not traveling, she's exploring new attractions and events on the weekends, be it in New York City or Philadelphia, as Lissa lives between both fabulous cities.