Even though Carnival’s new cruise ship has just joined the fleet and sailing its first guest cruise, there is still a maritime aspect to celebrate. The Carnival Celebration raised its Bahamian flag at its first official port of call, marking the ship’s official country of registry.
Carnival Celebration Bahamian Registry
The new Carnival Celebration celebrated its registry during the first guest voyage from Southampton, UK, to Miami, Florida. A ceremony took place on November 8 while the second Excel-class vessel made its first official port of call in La Coruna in Spain.
It now means that the new ship has a Bahamian registry and is officially registered under the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA). This now means that the vessel must follow the laws and procedures of The Bahamas, including things like taxes and the employment of crew members.
Carnival Celebration follows sister ship Mardi Gras, which changed its registry from Panama to The Bahamas not long after entering service in 2021. Both ships have been constructed at the popular Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and are over 180,000 gross tons with a guest capacity of over 5,200 at double occupancy.
Carnival Luminosa, transferred from the sister brand Costa Cruises and now sailing in Australia, also recently adopted the Bahaman registry. The formality was completed, and the flag was raised on September 21 in Italy. Including Carnival Celebration, there are currently seven ships flagged under The Bahamas.
The new vessel departed La Coruna on Tuesday evening to continue its 14-day transatlantic voyage, which departed Southampton on November 6. The next port visits during the voyage include Vigo in Spain on November 9, Funchal in Medeira on November 11, and the final port of call of Tenerife in the Canary Islands on November 12. From there, the Carnival Celebration will head across the Atlantic and arrive in PortMiami on November 20.
What’s Next for Carnival’s New Cruise Ship?
Just because Carnival Celebration is now sailing with guests doesn’t mean no more celebrations will come! When the ship arrives in Miami on November 20, Carnival Cruise Line will have its official naming ceremony with godmother Cassidy Gifford, the daughter of Kathy Lee Gifford, who was the godmother to the original Celebration cruise ship in 1987.
It will be a special day as the Miami-based cruise line will officially open its newly upgraded Terminal F at the port. That day will be for invited guests and the press to experience the vessel before it departs on November 21 on its first voyage from the U.S.
The inaugural six-night cruise will be to the Eastern Caribbean, including port visits to Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and Nassau. Carnival Celebration will offer year-round itineraries from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
