Mobile Cruise Terminal Past Present And Future
The first cruises sailed out of Mobile Port, AL in 2001.These cruises were with Carnival Cruise Lines who still operate out of thiscommercial deep-water port. These cruises from Mobile proved popular withtravelers from the southern states. In fact, they became the fastest selloutsin Carnivals cruise history.
The initial cruises proved to be a boost for the whole city of Mobile, bringing cruisers who dropped their dollars in hotels, cruise parking lots, restaurants and other local attractions before and after setting sail.
With this in mind, the city council invested $54,000 to develop the waterfront at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in readiness for a purpose-built cruise terminal. They had interest from Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Holland America cruise lines.
In 2004, the new cruise terminal was opened, costingsomewhere between $10 and $20 million. It was the home port of Carnivals Holidaycruise ship with itineraries mainly to Mexico showing 100% capacity.
In 2007, Mobile won the coveted Port of the Year awardfrom Carnival, based on excellent feedback from cruise passengers. In 2008,Carnival announced the Holiday would be replaced by the Fantasyin 2009. The city responded by promising a new gangway at Mobile cruiseterminal and 450 more parking spots on-site.
In 2010, despite the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf ofMexico from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, the Mobile cruise industry had itsbest year ever
Best Handicap Cruise Parking At Mobile Al
The most convenient cruise parking for those with limited mobility, disabled or handicapped drivers and/or passengers is the on-site parking lot at the port. There are dedicated spaces for registered handicap vehicles/drivers on each level of the garage. The price and terms are exactly the same as listed above. You can pre-book or turn up and pay on the day of departure. Parking starts at $19 per day for regular vehicles with a surcharge for oversize vehicles, RVs and buses.
The cruise terminal has wheelchairs for transporting passengers to and from the ship. They are available from cruise staff on a first-come, first-served basis. They cannot be taken onboard.
If you need an onboard wheelchair or electric scooter, you need to book one privately through a rental agency such as Scootaround.
Which Cruise Lines Use Mobile Al Cruise Port
Currently, only Carnival Cruise Line has cruises departing from Mobile, Alabama. It offers 4, 5 and 10-night Caribbean cruises with ports of call including Cozumel, Roatan, Key West, Grand Turk, Amber Cove and Grand Cayman. The cruise terminal was updated in 2016 and has upgraded security and on-site covered garage parking.
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Frequently Asked Questions On The Mobile Cruise Terminal
What cruise lines leave from Mobile?
Currently the Port of Mobile cruise terminal only serves Carnival Cruise Lines and is the home port of Carnival Fantasy.
Where do you park when going on a Mobile cruise?
There is plenty of covered parking at Mobile cruise terminal with prices from $19 per day. On-site cruise parking at Mobile Port is located at 201 S. Water Street, Mobile AL 36602. From there its a short walk to the terminal.
How far is the cruise port from Mobile Airport?
Mobile Regional Airport is 13 miles from Mobile cruise port. Allow at least 30 minutes for the journey by taxi, hotel shuttle service or rental car, and up to an hour when traffic is heavy.
How large is the Port of Mobile, Alabama?
The Port of Mobile covers an area of over 4,000 acres and is the only deep-water port in Alabama. It is the USAs 12th largest port based on tonnage. It has two harbors and 41 berths handling mainly container ships, coal, aluminum, lumber, paper, iron, steel, grain, paper, heavy lift and oversize cargo.
Mobile Hotels With Cruise Parking
The Admiral HotelThe Admiral Hotels offers a Park, Stay, and Cruise package for its guests. About $30 more than the lowest base rates in our search, the package includes complimentary breakfast for two and free parking while you take your cruise . Note that there is no mention of transportation to the port, which is about a mile drive away.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Distance to Port: 0.8 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Extended Stay America Mobile Spring HillExtended Stay America offers rates that start at under $100 per night, making it affordable. We called and were also told they offer five nights of cruise parking for $40. Thats more than half off the rate charged at the cruise port. You will need to find your own transportation, but the ride should only take about 15 minutes.
- Price: $-$$
- Distance to Port: 6 miles
- Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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Carnival Cruise Ship Arrives In Alabama Port For The First Time
Carnival Sensation arrived in Mobile, Alabama for the first time yesterday where the cruise ship will begin offering cruises later this year.
Im sure I speak for everyone on board when I say It was quite emotional seeing all the people who came out to welcome us today. Mobile certainly misses cruising and we miss our guests, too! said Carnival Sensation Captain Giuseppe Strano. Its great to see how excited our guests are for the return of cruising. We cant wait to start sailing again.
Fans had a chance to get a first-hand look at what promises to be an exciting new option from Mobile as Carnival Sensation offers a greater variety of balcony accommodations and onboard features like a Bonsai Sushi Express and Cherry on Top sweet shop.
After her arrival, the cruise ships crew members had the opportunity to get vaccinated in the cruise terminal by representatives of USA Health.
The crew also enjoyed a special treat gumbo from Mobiles legendary seafood restaurant, Wintzells Oyster House, delivered to the cruise ship.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don’t know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation.
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.
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Carnival Leaves Mobile Again And Taxpayers Are Stuck With The Bills
The Carnival Fantasy cruise ship sits docked at the Alabama Cruise Terminal on Monday, March 30 2020, in downtown Mobile, Ala. .
Its been six weeks since passengers from Mobile last ordered pitchers at the Carnival Fantasys RedFrog Rum Bar. This was supposed to be the heyday for Mobiles cruising business. Last fall, the city signed its longest deal with Carnival since the cruise line first returned to Alabama waters in 2016.
The port is well positioned to draw customers from around the Southeast but, now, it’s unclear how long it will be before tourists flock to the city for their chance to eat one of Guy Fieri’s cheeseburgers at sea.
Mobile taxpayers could be on the hook for more than $3.4 million in annual expenses if its downtown terminal remains empty while Carnival Cruise Line works itself out of a coronavirus-era funk.
According to city figures provided to AL.com, Mobiles annual debt payments on the cruise terminal are around $1.9 million. The city had been paying off the debt by utilizing revenues from wharfage and parking fees by having the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy docked in downtown Mobile. The cruise ship, which last sailed out of Mobile in mid-March, left Alabama last month and is now part of a fleet of vessels returning crew members to their home countries.
The ship is currently docked in Miami and is scheduled to sail to Panama. There is no timetable for its return to Mobile.
Mobiles pitch: Drive to us
Challenging times
Unchartered waters
Customers Love Cruising With Us
A must do when visiting Mobile. Great views of the bay while watching the sunset. Live music, good catered food, great mixed drinks and friendly staff that makes sure youre being well taken care of. Thanks for offering this new outing in Mobile and well definitely be back!
If you like being on the water, this is a must do. Between the live music, great service, and beautifully lit skyline, it is a wonderfully unique experience. I am a sucker for photos and I loved the unique view it offered of the USS Alabama.
Cruised with friends celebrating their anniversary. In spite of the fog, we had an enjoyable evening. The crew was friendly and helpful. The food was delicious – buffet style. Cash bar was reasonably priced. The musicians were talented and engaging. Lots to see along the waterfront. I would go again.
We cruised during the week and it was very enjoyable, peaceful, and quite relaxing. Food was good. Drinks were awesome. Live music had us all dancing. The crew was super friendly!! Highly recommend. We’ll be back!!
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Which Cruises Sail Out Of Mobile Al
Currently Mobile, AL is only used by Carnival Cruise Lines.Their ship, Carnival Fantasy, currently operates from Mobile during thewinter season. It offers shorter mini cruises of 4 and 5 days in the WesternCaribbean visiting Cozumel, Costa Maya and Yucatan in Mexico.
Longer 6-day cruises visit Cozumel, Grand Cayman andMahogany Bay while 7-day cruises head to Cozumel, Grand Cayman. GrandTurk, Amber Cove and San Juan beforereturning to Mobile Port.
Carnival also offers one-time adventure cruises from Mobile,AL including a 10-day Panama Canal cruise. This trip includes a partial transitthrough the amazing Panama Canal before visiting Limon , MahoganyBay , Cozumel and then returning home to Mobile.
Another popular 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise from Mobilecalls in at Key West, Grand Turk, Amber Cove , Grand Caymanand Cozumel before arriving back in the Port of Mobile cruise terminal.
There are plans for the newer Carnival Fascination toreplace the Fantasy in 2022.
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.
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Mobile’s Cruise Ship Won’t Return Until At Least March 2022 The Delay Is Costing Mobile Taxpayers Money
MOBILE, Ala. — The dock at the Alabama Cruise Terminal remains boatless like it has been for more than 18 months.
Now Carnival is saying the earliest the Port City will hear that familiar wailing horn again is March 2022.
Carnival Sensation in Mobile
Its just so disappointing, said owner of CustomCruiseWear.com. You hold your breath every time they make an announcement.
CustomCruiseWear.com makes cruise shirts, banners and gifts. Grays company is based in Mobile and as the name implies, cruising is her livelihood. The slow restart of the industry is hurting her.
We really want all of the ships back in commission and get it back to where it was prior to the pandemic, she said.
This latest delay announced this week means Mobile will be without cruises for two years. It was in March 2020 when the industry grinded to a halt.
The worst-case scenario hasnt happened which is not returning to cruising at all, but we have a date and were going to shoot for that date, said Joe Snowden, City of Mobile Executive Director of Admin Services.
The City of Mobile really needs a cruise ship back.
Right now, taxpayers are on the hook for about $1.9 million in cruise terminal debt payments every year. The city says those payments are not an issue for now because they have a surplus of money.
Before COVID, the terminal generated nearly $6 million in revenue a year.
Snowden, who oversees maritime transportation for the city says they are hopeful for a March restart.
Mobile Area Businesses Wait For The Return Of Cruise Ships
An APR news feature
The city of Mobile may have a few more hoops to jump through regarding the future of the cruise ship industry. The CDC is considering what COVID-19 rules to impose on passenger ships. Another possible wrinkle is a new state law in Alabama that outlaws coronavirus passports that prove someone has had their shots. Mobile area businesses that depend on cruise ship passengers for their livelihood are watching and waiting as well.
It was a festive day three weeks ago as the Carnival Sensation made its way into the port of Mobile. The visit was only a few hours to allow crew members to be vaccinated for COVID-19. But a ship docking at the Mobile Cruise Terminal for the first time in more than a year was reason to celebrate and hope that the ship will be back taking on passengers soon.
Were pretty excited as is as is everybody down here at Gulfquest where the ship is docked now, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said.
He was among the crowd watching from the observation deck of adjacent Gulfquest Museum.
The Excelsior Band has been playing, Stimpson said. The Azalea Trail Maids, the USS Alabama crewmates are here. Its a reason to celebrate and were doing it right this morning welcoming them back.”
The Sensation is scheduled to replace the Carnival Fantasy as the ship sailing from Mobile. The Sensation is the same model ship as the Fantasy, but has been remodeled to include things like balconies to a sushi bar.
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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.
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.
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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.
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More On Cruising From Mobile
Getting to the Mobile Cruise Terminal Transportation options from airports and the Mobile area to the cruise port. Everything you need to know to get to the port and start your vacation.
Mobile Cruise Parking Parking at the port? Weve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.
Mobile Cruise Hotels Getting in late? Leaving early? Simply need a place to rest your head? Weve rounded up the options for places to stay near the port.
Hotel Park And Cruise Packages In Mobile Al
It makes sense to book a night in a hotel before departing on a cruise from Mobile. Driving to the port the day before your cruise means that traffic problems, vehicle breakdowns, inclement weather and other unexpected hazards will not cause you to miss your cruise sailing.
If you travel to Mobile, AL the day before and book an overnight stay with cruise parking included, you can relax once you arrive in Mobile. Youll have plenty of time to enjoy a pleasant day exploring the city and seeing the sights before checking in for your cruise. You only have to get from the hotel to the cruise port the following day, so you dont have to worry about any unforeseen hiccups. Hotels usually include transport to and from the port as part of the package.
There is a choice of hotels in the Mobile area offering packages that include an overnight stay, parking for the duration of your cruise, and shuttle transport to and from the cruise port.
Check out these hotel Park and Cruise deals in Mobile, AL:
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