Carnival Cruise Line has released a major update on ship deployments. This includes several changes for when ships will return after their dry dock and some deployment changes. Unfortunately, most of it is not so good as the cruise line has already announced a further suspension until May and further delays ships.
Carnival Cruise Line Deployment Changes
The Miami-based cruise line has made a number of changes, and original plans have been thrown out the window with further delays due to dry docks. The global pandemic and the impact on the industry are not making it easy, so ships have needed to shuffle around a bit once operations resume.
Here are the specifics released from Carnival:
- Related to already-announced dry dock plans for Carnival Magic, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Valor, those ships’ return to operations will be delayed until November 2021. Consequently, voyages on Carnival Magic from Norfolk (embarkations from Sept. 29-Oct. 30), Carnival Paradise from Tampa (embarkations from June 5-Oct. 28) and Carnival Valor from New Orleans (embarkations from Sept. 16-Oct. 28) have been cancelled.
- Carnival Miracle’s planned seasonal service from San Diego has been suspended until further notice, and sailings out of San Diego that were available for sale through April 2023 have been cancelled, with the exception of seven voyages to Hawaii, which will move to Long Beach.
- Carnival Radiance’s dry dock and transformation has been moved to September, with a planned arrival to Long Beach in November 2021.
- With Carnival Miracle’s reposition to Long Beach, the ship will assume the three- and four-day itineraries for Carnival Radiance from May 3-Nov. 1, 2021 as well as the seven Hawaii Carnival Journeys referenced above. In addition, Carnival Miracle will launch a new program of four- and five-day cruises to Mexico during the winter season, beginning November 2021 and continuing through April 2023.
Also Read: Latest Photos of Carnival Cruise Ship That’s Being Transformed
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said:
“Like so much about this current global situation, we are adapting our plans as circumstances evolve and we are able to confirm alternatives. We are disappointed that our return to seasonal ports like Norfolk and San Diego has been impacted and appreciate the support of those port partners and communities.
The support of our guests, travel agents, ports and business partners has truly been overwhelming as we work through this situation.”
The Impact on Carnival Guests
As usual, the cruise line is getting in touch with guests impacted by any deployment changes. This is usually done via email and through travel agents. A Future Cruise Credit is usually the choice for a future cruise booking or a simple full refund.
With many of the adjustments focused on the U.S. West Coast and the delay of the newly transformed Carnival Radiance, the cruise line is offering more specific options.
Those who were booked on Carnival Radiance are being provided the option to transfer to Carnival Miracle or retain their Hawaiian itinerary via a Long Beach embarkation instead.
Three Ships from Long Beach
Later in the year, it’s looking like Long Beach, California will become busy for Carnival Cruise Line. There will eventually be three ships based from the West Coast port.
Carnival Panorama, which is already based from the port, will be sailing 7-day Mexican Riviera itineraries. Once she finally joins the fleet after a huge makeover in Cadiz, Spain, Carnival Radiance will also sail from Long Beach on 3-day and 4-day itineraries year-round.
Worth Reading: 8 Must-Know Things About the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Carnival Miracle will also sail 4-day and 5-day cruises to Mexico along with 14-day Hawaii itineraries during the winter. With all this doom and gloom there will still be plenty to choose from.
Carnival Will Make a Comeback
There has been a tone of disappointments from the cruise line recently with its suspension being extended through April 2021 just weeks after the previous extension along with the delay once again for Madi Gras.
There’s still plenty to look forward to later in the year with fresh new ships after dry docks and we’ll start to see ships resume cruises. Before we know it, the industry will start to come back.
