Heavy equipment is being unloaded from two Fantasy class cruise ships operated by Carnival Cruise Line, possibly a hint that they could be about to leave the fleet.
Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration Leaving?
There have been some rumors over the past few days of two Carnival cruise ships that might become the first to leave the fleet. It seems that the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration could be the first to go as work has already started on preparing the ships.
According to the Curacao Ports Authority, both ships are currently docked in Brion Wharf in Willemstad and apparently heavy equipment is being unloaded. This is often a sign that a ship will be scrapped and possibly sold off.
For Carnival Fantasy it is looking like she will be scrapped as according to cruise ship trackers, her next destination after Curacao will be Izmir, Turkey. Just north of Izmir is the Aliaga scrapyard which is where many cruise ships sadly go to be scrapped.
It comes as no surprise for the Carnival Fantasy as she is currently the oldest ship in the fleet and parent company Carnival Corp has already announced that a total of 13 cruise ships across its nine brands will be disposed of.
Before Carnival Cruise Line suspended operations in March 2020, the Carnival Fantasy was based out of the Port of Mobile in Alabama. The ship was originally scheduled to continue sailing from there until Carnival Fascination was to take over in 2022 but now it seems the vessel will be disposed of much earlier.
Carnival Inspiration is usually based out of Long Beach sailing short Mexican Riveria cruises. Both vessels have also been featured on ship brokerage sites with Carnival Fantasy already being listed for a while before the health crisis hit.
Related: 11 Ways You Can Enjoy a Carnival Inspiration Cruise
The cruise line has not yet confirmed which ships will be leaving the fleet but hopefully soon an announcement will be made. Some concerned cruisers have already asked Carnival Cruise Line Ambassador John Heald about the two vessels but he does not yet know any details.
Carnival Fantasy was the first in her class and was delivered in 1990 taking the cruise line into a new era of cruise design. The ship’s most recent dry dock took place in January 2019. She’s 70,367 gross tons and has a guest capacity of 2,056 at double occupancy along with 920 crew members.
Carnival Inspiration entered service in 1996 and continues the Fantasy-class design. The ship last underwent a dry dock in November 2018 and that could have been the final one. The ship is 70,367 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 2,054 at double occupancy. The vessel also has a capacity of 920 crew members.
Also Read: Here Are Five Carnival Cruise Ships That Might Be Sold Soon
Carnival Cruise Line has currently suspended cruises from the United States through September 2020. The first sailings are set to commence in October and will be phased in. Carnival is also working with the relevant authorities to introduce new health measures for when cruises resume.