Carnival Cruises To Return To Mobile In October
MOBILE, Alabama — Carnival Cruise Line announced this week that cruises out of the Port of Mobile will resume in October, marking the first cruises from Mobile since the CDC first suspended passenger cruises in March 2020.
The Carnival Sensation will homeport at the Port of Mobile and guest operations will officially resume Oct. 21, Carnival announced. The Sensation will be the first cruise ship sailing out of Mobile since the No Sail Order was first implemented March 14, 2020.
Were excited to see a definitive date set for the resumption of cruises out of Mobile, said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. Weve been continuing to communicate with Carnival so that were ready to meet their needs as a home port city when cruising starts again in October. Carnival plays a critical role in the Citys economic strength, and we are pleased to continue this successful partnership with the return of the Carnival Sensation.
Cruising from Mobile is estimated to bring in 200,000 guests, creating more than 35,000 overnight stays in local hotels, and direct spending across multiple business segments.
Its Sensational to have Carnival Cruise Lines return to Mobile, and a new ship to boot, said David Clark, President & CEO of Visit Mobile. Carnivals partnership brings a tremendous boost to Mobiles hotels, restaurants, attractions, and the surrounding region. We are excited to have the Carnival Sensation as a part of our skyline and to welcome back more visitors into our city.
Driving To Cruise Parking Atmobile Port
From I-10 West:
Continue over Mobile Bay Bridge and the George WallaceTunnel. After one mile take the Exit 25B Virginia Street. Turn left at the topof the exit ramp and follow signs to rejoin the I-10 East. Follow thedirections below.
From I-10 East
Keep right and take the exit 26A Canal Street. Turn right atthe end of the ramp onto Water Street. Drive just two blocks and you will seethe garage and cruise terminal on the right.
From US Hwy 90
Follow Hwy 90 west, passing shops, businesses and historicmansions in the downtown district. West of I-65, drive west for 4.6 miles thenturn right onto South Broad St. After 300 yards, head left onto Canal St. Stayon this road for 1 mile then turn right onto Eslava St and after 1/2 mile youwill see the terminal and parking garage.
From I-65
Take I-65 south and join the I-10. Follow the I-10 east toExit 26A Canal St. At the end of the exit ramp turn right onto Water St. In twoblocks you will see the parking garage and cruise terminal.
Mobile Alabama Cruise Parking Includes A Shuttle Bus Between The Lot And Any Of The Cruise Terminals
The Port of Mobile, AL, is located about 13 miles from Mobile Airport and only 0.6 miles from downtown Mobile. Only one of the major cruise lines offers cruises from this port, and thats Carnival Cruise Line. To easily reach the cruise terminal, see the driving directions to the Port of Mobile, which is placed at 201 S Water Street.
If youre starting your cruise vacation at the Port of Mobile Alabama, Parking Access can help you find a cheap cruise parking spot in the area. Our car parking guide provides important on-site cruise terminal parking information and off-site parking facilities with free shuttle service to/from the terminal.
Donât Miss: Where Is Cruise Port In New York
Read Also: How Far Is Rome Airport To Cruise Port
Try Something Short And Sweet
For travelers who dont have a lot of time or are taking their first-ever cruise, Carnival offers a four-day itinerary from Mobile through the Western Caribbean. The schedule includes two days at sea with one port day in Cozumel, Mexico, before returning to Mobile. Carnival also features three five-day itineraries that explore a number of ports in the Western Caribbean. Depending on the itinerary, port choices include the Mexican cities of Cozumel, Progreso and Costa Maya, as well as sea days. All of these sailings start and end in Mobile.
Where Is The Mobile Cruise Port
The Port of Mobile is on the estuary of the Mobile Riverwhere it flows into Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Although it is mainly acommercial port for cargo and container ships, the specially built Mobilecruise terminal is currently used for Caribbean cruises by Carnival CruiseLines.
The port is located 59 miles west of Pensacola on theFlorida Panhandle and a similar distance east of Biloxi, Mississippi. It isconnected to both these major cities by the Interstate 10 highway. This makesMobile cruise terminal very convenient for cruisers who live in any of the GulfStates and nearby cities including New Orleans, LA Tallahassee Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA.
Read Also: What Cruise Lines Leave From Mobile Alabama
Read Also: Cruise Ports In South Carolina
Why Is Mobile Cruise Parkingexpensive
Mobile, AL has limited cruise parking, and it is moreexpensive than some other cruise ports so were here to help you find the bestdeals. There are two reasons why cruise parking in Mobile, AL is moreexpensive. Firstly, cruise parking is right in the port, on the edge ofdowntown. It is very convenient, but the land is valuable and space is at apremium. This drives up the price for any cruise parking business serving thePort of Mobile.
Secondly, there are less cruises departing from Mobile port than other dedicated cruise ports. Once again, the lower demand encourages less car park companies to operate in the area. Less competition inevitably means higher costs. Basically, if youre planning to cruise from Mobile, Alabama, brace yourself for higher car parking prices at the cruise port.
Also Read: Big Easy Guide on New Orleans Cruise Parking
But now for some good news! We have a choice of options whenconsidering Mobile AL cruise parking. Check out the park and cruise packagesoffered at hotels in Mobile, or consider using cruise parking at the airport orfurther afield and taking a taxi or shuttle to the port. Weve done all theresearch and hard work for you so read on to compare prices and get the bestdeal for Mobile Alabama cruise parking.
Carnival Sensation To Arrive In Mobile
For the first time since cruise operations were first suspended more than a year ago, a Carnival cruise ship will be returning to the Alabama Cruise Terminal in Mobile. However, it wont be the ship that was originally expected.
Related: Things to Know About the Mobile Cruise Terminal in Alabama
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced on Tuesday in a City Council meeting that the Carnival Sensation will arrive at the port on Friday. The plan is for 110 crew members to receive their first dose of the vaccine. It follows two other ships that have started having crew vaccinations at the Port of Galveston.
In a local news report, Mayor Stimpson said in the meeting, Were pretty excited about that. Its a big deal, theyre coming here to be vaccinated. My understanding is that three weeks later the ship will come back in for the crew members to be re-vaccinated.
Its a major step forward for cruise operations out of the State of Alabama and makes sense as Carnival Sensation will be based from the port once cruises resume. Sister ship Carnival Fantasy was originally set to homeport out of Mobile but was sadly sold for scrap in 2020. Carnival Cruise Line was then planning on shifting Carnival Fascination from Puerto Rico to Mobile but then that she was sold.
Mayor Stimpson has urged the public to head down to the Gulf Quest maritime Museum or the Cooper Riverside Park at around 9:00 AM on Friday to welcome the Carnival cruise ships arrival.
Read Also: Ncl Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Carnival Cruises To Sail From Mobile This Coming March
Nearly two years after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Carnival Cruise Lines is restarting operations in Mobile. Carnival told reporters that all 22 of its U.S.-based ships will be back in operation by March 2022. The Carnival Sensation sailing out of Mobile on March fifth. Mayor Sandy Stimpson said the city is thrilled by the news. He says cruising brings in $6 million in annual gross revenues to the city from wharfage and parking fees alone. Some of those funds are used to offset the existing debt on the Alabama Cruise Terminal. The facility is not expected to be paid off until 2030. The Sensation replaces the Carnival Fantasy which had serviced the area from 2016 to 2020. Click below for coverage of the Carnival Sensation by APR Gulf coast correspondent Guy Busby.
Carnival Cruises To Resume Sailing From Mobile In October
MOBILE, Ala. Carnival Cruise Line announced Monday, July 19, that the Carnival Sensation will restart sailing out of Mobile on Oct. 21.
Carnival will welcome unvaccinated guests on board, but all unvaccinated guests, including children under the age of 12, will be subject to pre-cruise and pre-embarkation testing and testing again prior to debarkation along with a $150 per person charge to cover the costs of testing, reporting and health and safety screenings. At this time, Carnival is limiting the operation of its supervised youth programs to vaccinated children and youth 12 years and older.
Read the full press release from Carnival Cruise Line below:
Carnival Cruise Line announced today that three more ships will resume guest operations in September, and another four in October bringing the total number of ships to 15 as the lines successful restart of operations continues to ramp up. Based on the success of its initial resumption of service and the guest response to the onboard experience and health and safety protocols that have been implemented, Carnival will continue to operate all its ships as vaccinated cruises through at least October.
The three ships for September are Carnival Glory from New Orleans, starting Sept. 5, Carnival Pride from Baltimore, starting Sept. 12, and Carnival Dream from Galveston, starting Sept. 19.
Read Also: What Cruise Lines Leave From Mobile Alabama
Getting To Mobile Cruise Terminal
Almost 95% of those who take a cruise out of Mobile, ALdrive to the port and park their cars for the duration of the cruise.
Mobile, AL is connected to Biloxi, MS and Tallahassee, FL bythe Interstate 10 highway. The port is just 1/2 mile from the I-10 and 5 miles from the I-65 where the I-165 leads directly toBeauregard/N. Water St in downtown Mobile. Routes to the port and Mobile cruiseterminal are clearly signposted.
Caribbean Cruises Leaving Mobile Alabama
Snorkel the coral reefs in Cozumel.
The city of Mobile, Alabama, welcomes travelers from the South and beyond to come and embark on a cruise vacation sure to produce priceless memories. Located downtown, the city’s cruise terminal includes 66,000 square feet of space to check in passengers and process luggage, and an attached parking deck with parking for 500 vehicles. Currently, Carnival Cruise Line is the only cruise company sailing from Mobile to the Caribbean. At this time, cruisers can select a trip from nine itineraries, all sailing on the Fantasy cruise ship.
You May Like: Which Cruise Ships Sail Out Of Galveston
Hotel Park And Cruisepackages In Mobile Al
It makes sense to book a night in a hotel before departingon a cruise from Mobile. Driving to the port the day before your cruise meansthat traffic problems, vehicle breakdowns, inclement weather and other unexpectedhazards will not cause you to miss your cruise sailing.
If you travel to Mobile, AL the day before and book anovernight stay with cruise parking included, you can relax once you arrive inMobile. Youll have plenty of time to enjoy a pleasant day exploring the cityand seeing the sights before checking in for your cruise. You only have to getfrom the hotel to the cruise port the following day, so you dont have to worryabout any unforeseen hiccups. Hotels usually include transport to and from theport as part of the package.
There is a choice of hotels in the Mobile area offeringpackages that include an overnight stay, parking for the duration of yourcruise, and shuttle transport to and from the cruise port.
Check out these hotel Park and Cruise deals in Mobile, AL:
How Big Is Mobile Port Al
Mobile cruise terminal is part of the ports 4,000 acrecomplex which has 5 miles of waterfront and 41 berths. The port includes anupper and a lower harbor which is currently used by cruise ships. It is the onlydeep-water port in Alabama with a main channel depth of 45 feet which canaccommodate the largest post-Panamax ships.
Recommended Reading: Alaska Cruise Departing From Seattle
Also Check: Best Cruise Ship Deals
Carnival To Resume Mobile Cruises On March 5
Carnival cruising will return to Mobile on March 5, nearly two years since sailings were halted during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line confirmed on Thursday that all 22 of its U.S.-based ships will be back in guest operations by March 2022, with the Carnival Sensation sailing out of Mobile on the first Saturday of the month and four days after the city celebrates Fat Tuesday.
Related content:
Its great news, said David Clark, president & CEO with Visit Mobile who confirmed that Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, contacted Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson to inform him about the cruise ships pending return to Mobile.
We are thrilled, Stimpson said in a statement.
Carnival confirmed the date for the return of the Mobile excursions within a news release that focused mainly on an announcement that the company was playing its third Excel-class ship — the Carnival Jubilee — in Galveston, Texas, in 2023.
Alabamians are ready to cruise again and they want to do it from their home state, Stimpson added. That is why we have been working closely with our partners at Carnival to help clear the way for their return.
Stimpson said that cruising brings in $6 million in annual gross revenues to the city from wharfage and parking alone, and some of that money is utilized to offset the existing debt on the Alabama Cruise Terminal.
Cruise Ship Disembarks In New Orleans With At Least 17 Covid Cases Including A Probable Omicron Infection
New Orleans A Norwegian Cruise Line ship with at least 17 passengers and crew members infected with COVID-19 docked Sunday in New Orleans, where health officials said the ship was disembarked amid efforts to prevent any spread into the community. At least one of the infected crew members is suspected to have the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the Louisiana Department of Health said late Sunday. The Norwegian Breakaway arrived in the city on Sunday after departing from New Orleans on November 28 and making stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico over the past week. Norwegian Cruise Line issued a statement on Saturday confirming a “handful of COVID-19 cases among guests and crew.” The company said all of the identified cases involved people without symptoms of the illness. On Monday, a spokesperson for the company said in a statement a South African crew member suspected of having the Omicron variant was in isolation for the entirety of the November 28 cruise.
UPDATE: 7 additional COVID-19 cases have been identified on a ship that disembarked in New Orleans today. This brings the total number of #COVID19 cases identified among the passengers and crew members to 17.
Louisiana Department of Health
The state recorded its first confirmed Omicron case on Sunday, the health department said, but that was unrelated to the Norwegian cruise liner.
Don’t Miss: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of Mobile Alabama
Carnival Cruise Ship To Arrive In Mobile Alabama
The Carnival Sensation cruise ship will arrive in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday for crew vaccinations as the cruise line prepares for a return.
Carnival Sensation will be arriving in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday, as confirmed by Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. The Fantasy-class ship is not yet resuming operations but will be there for crew vaccinations.
It comes as Carnival Cruise Line recently started vaccinating crew of the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista when they made a much-anticipated return to the Port of Galveston in Texas over a week ago.
Carnival Confirms Plans For Sensation To Sail From Mobile
The Carnival Fantasy cruise ship sits docked at the Alabama Cruise Terminal on Monday, March 16, 2020. .
Carnival Cruise Line currently lists cruises departing from Mobile in spring 2021 â but not with the ship some might have been expecting.
As of Monday, the company listed departures from Mobile starting May 1. However, a company spokesman cautioned that those dates were contingent on some pandemic-related factors that remain unresolved. On Wednesday, Carnival notified customers that it was extending its pause in U.S. operations through the end of May. That notice read, in part: We continue to work on plans to resume operations and are encouraged by the focus to expedite vaccine production and distribution which are having a demonstrated impact on improving public health.
A year ago, Carnival announced that it planned to replace the Mobile-based Carnival Fantasy with the Carnival Fascination, a newer vessel of the same class, in early 2022. However, the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led Carnival to begin revamping its fleet, shedding some older and less efficient vessels. Reports emerged a few months later that the Fantasy was on its way to the scrapyard.
As the pandemic wore on, Carnival announced in September that it planned to sell the Fascination, launched in 1994. Later industry reports confirmed the sale and indicated the vessel would remain in service for a new owner rather than being scrapped.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does A Norwegian Cruise Cost
Candlewood Suites Mobile Al
Located in downtown Mobile, Candlewood Suites offers a Park and Cruise Package which includes a guest suite with full kitchen and parking at the cruise terminal for the duration of your cruise. No transfers are required just walk from your car to the ship.
- Address: 121 North Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602
- Distance from cruise terminal: Hotel 1.1 miles with on-site Port parking
- Tel: 251-690-7818
- Cost: From $118 depending on length of cruise