CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

Finally! A couple more Fantasy class can go too! I know they have already sold a couple Costa and P&O ships towards the 13.

They have just announced that they are selling 4 Holland ships.

 

[belle032]

They have just announced that they are selling 4 Holland ships.

So we got 1 Costa, 1 CCL and 4 Holland so far? Six down, seven to go

 

[hdrolfe]

Well I talked it over with my kiddo, showed him the Horizon and the MSC Mervaviglia, told him about the different ports we'd get to go to and what kinds of things there are to do. And he chose MSC! So I booked it for early 2022, it will cover my birthday which is fun. Now, fingers crossed life will return to something like normal by then. But it was only $49 deposit and I have until November 2021 to PIF, lots of time for things to get under control and sorted. I was able to book as a 14 night cruise, so we have the same cabin, and only one deposit to pay. I am excited to look at what we'll be able to do in the ports, all Western ports (Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, plus two stops at their private island). I have some ideas already and need to get in better shape! He wants to zipline, climb Dunn's, do the Maya water park in Costa Maya, and swim with sharks in Belize. I'll need to be able to keep up He will be 12 as well, so no muster bracelet, and probably a bit more freedom with the kids activities. Three water slides, a ropes course, and I think it's 5 pools. Something to look forward to planning! We will have to get on Horizon someday.

 

[mevelandry]

Well I talked it over with my kiddo, showed him the Horizon and the MSC Mervaviglia, told him about the different ports we'd get to go to and what kinds of things there are to do. And he chose MSC! So I booked it for early 2022, it will cover my birthday which is fun. Now, fingers crossed life will return to something like normal by then. But it was only $49 deposit and I have until November 2021 to PIF, lots of time for things to get under control and sorted. I was able to book as a 14 night cruise, so we have the same cabin, and only one deposit to pay. I am excited to look at what we'll be able to do in the ports, all Western ports (Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, plus two stops at their private island). I have some ideas already and need to get in better shape! He wants to zipline, climb Dunn's, do the Maya water park in Costa Maya, and swim with sharks in Belize. I'll need to be able to keep up He will be 12 as well, so no muster bracelet, and probably a bit more freedom with the kids activities. Three water slides, a ropes course, and I think it's 5 pools. Something to look forward to planning! We will have to get on Horizon someday.

That sounds absolutely amazing.

 

[mevelandry]

Rumor has it that Carnival Inspiration has been sold.

It would be the second Carnival ship to be sold, with Carnival Fantasy.

Source: Cruise Radio

 

[mevelandry]

I can't believe they haven't sold the Sensation yet.

 

[belle032]

Rumor has it that Carnival Inspiration has been sold.

It would be the second Carnival ship to be sold, with Carnival Fantasy.

Source: Cruise Radio

I can't believe they haven't sold the Sensation yet.

Interesting. I was thinking it would be the Ecstasy or Sensation. But then again, I kind of forgot about the Inspiration even existing. Is she based on the West Coast? I wonder if home ports have anything to do with it.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Interesting. I was thinking it would be the Ecstasy or Sensation. But then again, I kind of forgot about the Inspiration even existing. Is she based on the West Coast? I wonder if home ports have anything to do with it.

Yes, Long Beach along with the Imagination.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Interesting. I was thinking it would be the Ecstasy or Sensation. But then again, I kind of forgot about the Inspiration even existing. Is she based on the West Coast? I wonder if home ports have anything to do with it.

I think it makes sense to sell Inspiration, now that Panorama is on the west coast. Inspiration and Imagination are both doing 3 and 4 Baja Mexico runs with Panorama doing 7 nights down to Puerto Vallarta. I also think Carnival is trying really hard to shed the party boat reputation, the more small ships running booze cruises they can get rid of the better. Panorama is a beautiful family cruise ship.

My thought is they need to dump all the Fantasy Class ships and now is the perfect time. Get a little bit of cash flow in and get rid of some of the ships with the lowest cost cruises forcing people into paying more for longer cruises on better ships.

 

[mevelandry]

I think it makes sense to sell Inspiration, now that Panorama is on the west coast. Inspiration and Imagination are both doing 3 and 4 Baja Mexico runs with Panorama doing 7 nights down to Puerto Vallarta. I also think Carnival is trying really hard to shed the party boat reputation, the more small ships running booze cruises they can get rid of the better. Panorama is a beautiful family cruise ship.

My thought is they need to dump all the Fantasy Class ships and now is the perfect time. Get a little bit of cash flow in and get rid of some of the ships with the lowest cost cruises forcing people into paying more for longer cruises on better ships.

This makes a lot of sense. The crew most likely get paid the same for «small party ships » that brings lower revenue than big ships? I could be wrong but I can imagine that they made way less profit on those.

Those ships were in bad shape so they probably cost more in repairs as well.

I think when it all starts again, we will see a little bit less cruises as well. Most likely higher rates unless they can find a healthy balance between the number of guests (which will most likely be reduced) vs crew members.

On top of that, the new regulations for cleaning ships would be an excellent opportunity to officially rebrand Carnival as a « family friendly » cruise line.

 

[mevelandry]

Princess has just cancelled all cruises until December 15. I’m almost certain that all the other cruise lines are going to follow.

 

[Pens Fan]

Princess has just cancelled all cruises until December 15. I’m almost certain that all the other cruise lines are going to follow.

As an avid cruiser it pains me to say this, but I agree with you. I think the chances of anyone getting on a cruise ship in 2020 are slim to none. Our next cruise is scheduled for mid April 2021 and I'm feeling less and less hopeful that it will even happen. It's a short 5 night hop from LA to Vancouver so we don't have a lot of money tied up into it for now, so we are willing to let it ride and hope for the best. But we are fully prepared for it to go away as well.

 

[mevelandry]

As an avid cruiser it pains me to say this, but I agree with you. I think the chances of anyone getting on a cruise ship in 2020 are slim to none. Our next cruise is scheduled for mid April 2021 and I'm feeling less and less hopeful that it will even happen. It's a short 5 night hop from LA to Vancouver so we don't have a lot of money tied up into it for now, so we are willing to let it ride and hope for the best. But we are fully prepared for it to go away as well.

I don’t know about April. I’m pretty positive we’ll have a vaccine by that time.

But lately every single time a cruise line cancelled more months, the others copy-cat them.

If they do, my December cruise is being cancelled.

(At this point, I’d be relieved. We’re 2 out of 3 who want to postpone our trip.)

 

[hdrolfe]

I believe John Heald will be announcing something again today, probably more cancellations. I am kind of hoping they do cancel December so I can move that deposit to something else and not just lost it (It's only $100 so not a huge deal but since I booked early saved it's non-refundable). I will look at booking Horizon in 2023... man that's so far away!! Either way, we aren't going in December, I think if travel is even ok there will be a lot of rules in place and probably not as enjoyable an experience. Plus kiddo would have to miss school, and I'm not sure how that is going to be working any way. Normally I don't mind if he misses a week or two of the school year, but since he just missed 4 months, and he didn't do any of the online learning stuff, it feels like a bad idea. Any way! I'm sure more to follow from Carnival.

 

[hdrolfe]

Bolding is mine. Interesting news I guess?


CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO FLEET PLAN
July 23, 2020
MIAMI, July 23, 2020 – Carnival Cruise Line today announced new plans for its fleet that will generate tremendous guest excitement once it resumes sailing, with a confirmed date for an additional Excel-class, LNG-powered ship arriving in November 2022, four ships either sold or put on long term lay-up status, and other ships redeployed to new homeports, as it seeks to leverage its strong network of year-round and seasonal homeports in the U.S. with upgraded offerings. The highlights of the plan include:

• As part of Carnival’s 50th birthday in 2022, a November 2022 delivery date for the unnamed, second Excel-class ship has been confirmed from the Meyer Turku shipyard. The sister ship to Mardi Gras will showcase many of her features, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, and sail out of PortMiami as previously announced. Carnival said it will open the ship for sale this fall and guests can register to be the “first to know” about the ship’s itineraries and special open for sale promotions at carnival.com/ship2022.
• As part of Carnival Corporation’s recent announcement to reduce its overall capacity and focus on ships with upgraded features, Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been sold. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination will move to a long term lay-up status, with no specific timeline identified for a return to operation.
• Carnival Sensation will move from Miami to Mobile and take up itineraries previously assigned to Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination, with guests on those two ships being re-accommodated on Carnival Sensation.
• Carnival Sunrise will move from Port Everglades to PortMiami and assume the itineraries previously operated by Carnival Sensation, providing a larger, upgraded ship for short itineraries with the many new features installed during Carnival Sunrise’s $200 million transformation completed in 2019. Guests booked on the Sunrise 4- and 5-day itineraries from Port Everglades will be automatically moved to sailings from PortMiami.
• Carnival Sunrise is part of Carnival’s 50th birthday celebration and there will be no changes to her birthday sailing, which is scheduled for March 5, 2022. These special sailings have been in high demand and will feature special entertainment, at-sea ship rendezvous and onboard activities and offerings. For more information on this special group of itineraries in March 2022, please visit carnival.com/sailabration.
• Carnival Fascination itineraries from San Juan and Barbados have been cancelled for 2020-2021 as the cruise line focuses its return to operations on mainland drive markets in the U.S.
• Itineraries for Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration from Long Beach have been cancelled through Apr. 19, 2021. Carnival Panorama will continue to operate 7-day cruises from Long Beach while Carnival Miracle will operate shorter itineraries from San Diego to Baja Mexico.
• Carnival Radiance will now move directly from Europe after its $200 million transformation and homeport in Long Beach in April of 2021, where it will assume the short Baja Mexico itineraries previously served by Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration. Guests booked on Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration after April 22, 2021 will be re-accommodated on Carnival Radiance, where they will experience the host of upgrades and new features including Shaq’s Big Chicken Restaurant and an expanded waterpark popular with families sailing with children.
• Separately, Carnival also notified its Australian guests that it has extended its pause of operations in that country, and has cancelled six cruises scheduled to operate between Sept. 25 and Oct. 29, 2020.

“We have used this pause in operations to think carefully about our fleet and to build a plan that gives our guests new choices and upgrades to current ship offerings,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We have a great variety of ships across the Carnival Cruise Line fleet and we are thrilled to have been able to confirm a delivery date ahead of what we had anticipated for our second Excel ship, which is exciting news for guests interested in sailing from PortMiami on the sister ship to Mardi Gras! At the same time, we will continue to invest in the four remaining Fantasy class ships that we are keeping in the fleet. We have many guests who prefer our Fantasy class ships which work so well for shorter itineraries from smaller ports that cannot accommodate our larger ships. With a fleet that gives guests lots of choices in ships, homeports, destinations and features including a multitude of dining, entertainment and accommodation choices, we are very excited about the future for Carnival Cruise Line.”
Guests and travel agents are being notified directly about impacted sailings, guest re-accommodations and cancellations. Duffy thanked guests and travel agent partners alike for their continued patience, loyalty and support during this unprecedented time for the cruise industry. “With our future fleet plan resolved, we are focused on ensuring we are ready to return to operations once it is determined that the time is right to resume cruising in the U.S.,” she said.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Bolding is mine. Interesting news I guess?


CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO FLEET PLAN
July 23, 2020
MIAMI, July 23, 2020 – Carnival Cruise Line today announced new plans for its fleet that will generate tremendous guest excitement once it resumes sailing, with a confirmed date for an additional Excel-class, LNG-powered ship arriving in November 2022, four ships either sold or put on long term lay-up status, and other ships redeployed to new homeports, as it seeks to leverage its strong network of year-round and seasonal homeports in the U.S. with upgraded offerings. The highlights of the plan include:

• As part of Carnival’s 50th birthday in 2022, a November 2022 delivery date for the unnamed, second Excel-class ship has been confirmed from the Meyer Turku shipyard. The sister ship to Mardi Gras will showcase many of her features, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, and sail out of PortMiami as previously announced. Carnival said it will open the ship for sale this fall and guests can register to be the “first to know” about the ship’s itineraries and special open for sale promotions at carnival.com/ship2022.
• As part of Carnival Corporation’s recent announcement to reduce its overall capacity and focus on ships with upgraded features, Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been sold. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination will move to a long term lay-up status, with no specific timeline identified for a return to operation.
• Carnival Sensation will move from Miami to Mobile and take up itineraries previously assigned to Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination, with guests on those two ships being re-accommodated on Carnival Sensation.
• Carnival Sunrise will move from Port Everglades to PortMiami and assume the itineraries previously operated by Carnival Sensation, providing a larger, upgraded ship for short itineraries with the many new features installed during Carnival Sunrise’s $200 million transformation completed in 2019. Guests booked on the Sunrise 4- and 5-day itineraries from Port Everglades will be automatically moved to sailings from PortMiami.
• Carnival Sunrise is part of Carnival’s 50th birthday celebration and there will be no changes to her birthday sailing, which is scheduled for March 5, 2022. These special sailings have been in high demand and will feature special entertainment, at-sea ship rendezvous and onboard activities and offerings. For more information on this special group of itineraries in March 2022, please visit carnival.com/sailabration.
• Carnival Fascination itineraries from San Juan and Barbados have been cancelled for 2020-2021 as the cruise line focuses its return to operations on mainland drive markets in the U.S.
• Itineraries for Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration from Long Beach have been cancelled through Apr. 19, 2021. Carnival Panorama will continue to operate 7-day cruises from Long Beach while Carnival Miracle will operate shorter itineraries from San Diego to Baja Mexico.
• Carnival Radiance will now move directly from Europe after its $200 million transformation and homeport in Long Beach in April of 2021, where it will assume the short Baja Mexico itineraries previously served by Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration. Guests booked on Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration after April 22, 2021 will be re-accommodated on Carnival Radiance, where they will experience the host of upgrades and new features including Shaq’s Big Chicken Restaurant and an expanded waterpark popular with families sailing with children.
• Separately, Carnival also notified its Australian guests that it has extended its pause of operations in that country, and has cancelled six cruises scheduled to operate between Sept. 25 and Oct. 29, 2020.

“We have used this pause in operations to think carefully about our fleet and to build a plan that gives our guests new choices and upgrades to current ship offerings,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We have a great variety of ships across the Carnival Cruise Line fleet and we are thrilled to have been able to confirm a delivery date ahead of what we had anticipated for our second Excel ship, which is exciting news for guests interested in sailing from PortMiami on the sister ship to Mardi Gras! At the same time, we will continue to invest in the four remaining Fantasy class ships that we are keeping in the fleet. We have many guests who prefer our Fantasy class ships which work so well for shorter itineraries from smaller ports that cannot accommodate our larger ships. With a fleet that gives guests lots of choices in ships, homeports, destinations and features including a multitude of dining, entertainment and accommodation choices, we are very excited about the future for Carnival Cruise Line.”
Guests and travel agents are being notified directly about impacted sailings, guest re-accommodations and cancellations. Duffy thanked guests and travel agent partners alike for their continued patience, loyalty and support during this unprecedented time for the cruise industry. “With our future fleet plan resolved, we are focused on ensuring we are ready to return to operations once it is determined that the time is right to resume cruising in the U.S.,” she said.

There’s some interesting stuff in there. I’m pretty excited about Radiance being on the west coast doing weekend getaways. Long Beach is only a 6 hour drive from my doorstep and they’ve had some amazing last minute deals on Imagination and Inspiration, I just had zero interest in those ships. We were booked on the TA for Radiance but ended up canceling before all the Covid crap started, looks like she’s going to be a great ship. Will be great to have 2 nice ships on the west coast.

 

[hdrolfe]

There seems to be quite a bit of moving around, and the West Coast will have a few nice ships, Panorama, Radiance and Miracle (From San DIego). I believe that ship gets good reviews.

I was surprised to see they will have another Mardi Gras ready for Nov 2022 when they haven't even finished the one they are building yet. Exciting though! Sad about no more San Juan cruises, though the flights there are nuts any way for us. They look like such an action packed itinerary, we love port days so I've wanted to do one, but was waiting for kiddo to be better about flying. Maybe they will come back someday.

 

[belle032]

Bolding is mine. Interesting news I guess?


CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO FLEET PLAN
July 23, 2020
MIAMI, July 23, 2020 – Carnival Cruise Line today announced new plans for its fleet that will generate tremendous guest excitement once it resumes sailing, with a confirmed date for an additional Excel-class, LNG-powered ship arriving in November 2022, four ships either sold or put on long term lay-up status, and other ships redeployed to new homeports, as it seeks to leverage its strong network of year-round and seasonal homeports in the U.S. with upgraded offerings. The highlights of the plan include:

• As part of Carnival’s 50th birthday in 2022, a November 2022 delivery date for the unnamed, second Excel-class ship has been confirmed from the Meyer Turku shipyard. The sister ship to Mardi Gras will showcase many of her features, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, and sail out of PortMiami as previously announced. Carnival said it will open the ship for sale this fall and guests can register to be the “first to know” about the ship’s itineraries and special open for sale promotions at carnival.com/ship2022.
• As part of Carnival Corporation’s recent announcement to reduce its overall capacity and focus on ships with upgraded features, Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been sold. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination will move to a long term lay-up status, with no specific timeline identified for a return to operation.
• Carnival Sensation will move from Miami to Mobile and take up itineraries previously assigned to Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination, with guests on those two ships being re-accommodated on Carnival Sensation.
• Carnival Sunrise will move from Port Everglades to PortMiami and assume the itineraries previously operated by Carnival Sensation, providing a larger, upgraded ship for short itineraries with the many new features installed during Carnival Sunrise’s $200 million transformation completed in 2019. Guests booked on the Sunrise 4- and 5-day itineraries from Port Everglades will be automatically moved to sailings from PortMiami.
• Carnival Sunrise is part of Carnival’s 50th birthday celebration and there will be no changes to her birthday sailing, which is scheduled for March 5, 2022. These special sailings have been in high demand and will feature special entertainment, at-sea ship rendezvous and onboard activities and offerings. For more information on this special group of itineraries in March 2022, please visit carnival.com/sailabration.
• Carnival Fascination itineraries from San Juan and Barbados have been cancelled for 2020-2021 as the cruise line focuses its return to operations on mainland drive markets in the U.S.
• Itineraries for Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration from Long Beach have been cancelled through Apr. 19, 2021. Carnival Panorama will continue to operate 7-day cruises from Long Beach while Carnival Miracle will operate shorter itineraries from San Diego to Baja Mexico.
• Carnival Radiance will now move directly from Europe after its $200 million transformation and homeport in Long Beach in April of 2021, where it will assume the short Baja Mexico itineraries previously served by Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration. Guests booked on Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration after April 22, 2021 will be re-accommodated on Carnival Radiance, where they will experience the host of upgrades and new features including Shaq’s Big Chicken Restaurant and an expanded waterpark popular with families sailing with children.
• Separately, Carnival also notified its Australian guests that it has extended its pause of operations in that country, and has cancelled six cruises scheduled to operate between Sept. 25 and Oct. 29, 2020.

“We have used this pause in operations to think carefully about our fleet and to build a plan that gives our guests new choices and upgrades to current ship offerings,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We have a great variety of ships across the Carnival Cruise Line fleet and we are thrilled to have been able to confirm a delivery date ahead of what we had anticipated for our second Excel ship, which is exciting news for guests interested in sailing from PortMiami on the sister ship to Mardi Gras! At the same time, we will continue to invest in the four remaining Fantasy class ships that we are keeping in the fleet. We have many guests who prefer our Fantasy class ships which work so well for shorter itineraries from smaller ports that cannot accommodate our larger ships. With a fleet that gives guests lots of choices in ships, homeports, destinations and features including a multitude of dining, entertainment and accommodation choices, we are very excited about the future for Carnival Cruise Line.”
Guests and travel agents are being notified directly about impacted sailings, guest re-accommodations and cancellations. Duffy thanked guests and travel agent partners alike for their continued patience, loyalty and support during this unprecedented time for the cruise industry. “With our future fleet plan resolved, we are focused on ensuring we are ready to return to operations once it is determined that the time is right to resume cruising in the U.S.,” she said.

Wow that's a lot of information! And honestly, I think it's all mostly positive! I'm happy to see them moving towards offering upgraded ships. Honestly, it seems like the Conquest class (which we enjoy) is becoming the new "Fantasy" class in terms of size and offerings, so it doesn't surprise me to see the slow fading out of the (now) very small classes of ships. The Conquest and sister ships could easily take over those shorter itineraries.

The Mardi Gras looks just stunning so I think a sister ship will be well received. Those will be must-dos eventually, but I'm still trying to get on the Horizon or Vista!

I do wonder if Port Everglades will be used at all in the coming year? We actually really like that port. It's so easy to fly into FLL and hop right on the ship. Miami is fine, just a little more inconvenient to get to.

And I agree with you all, I don't see cruising happening in 2020, as much as it pains me to even think about it. But if it starts back up early next year, I will be jumping on a ship ASAP.

 

[mevelandry]

Bolding is mine. Interesting news I guess?


CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO FLEET PLAN
July 23, 2020
MIAMI, July 23, 2020 – Carnival Cruise Line today announced new plans for its fleet that will generate tremendous guest excitement once it resumes sailing, with a confirmed date for an additional Excel-class, LNG-powered ship arriving in November 2022, four ships either sold or put on long term lay-up status, and other ships redeployed to new homeports, as it seeks to leverage its strong network of year-round and seasonal homeports in the U.S. with upgraded offerings. The highlights of the plan include:

• As part of Carnival’s 50th birthday in 2022, a November 2022 delivery date for the unnamed, second Excel-class ship has been confirmed from the Meyer Turku shipyard. The sister ship to Mardi Gras will showcase many of her features, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, and sail out of PortMiami as previously announced. Carnival said it will open the ship for sale this fall and guests can register to be the “first to know” about the ship’s itineraries and special open for sale promotions at carnival.com/ship2022.
• As part of Carnival Corporation’s recent announcement to reduce its overall capacity and focus on ships with upgraded features, Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been sold. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination will move to a long term lay-up status, with no specific timeline identified for a return to operation.
• Carnival Sensation will move from Miami to Mobile and take up itineraries previously assigned to Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination, with guests on those two ships being re-accommodated on Carnival Sensation.
• Carnival Sunrise will move from Port Everglades to PortMiami and assume the itineraries previously operated by Carnival Sensation, providing a larger, upgraded ship for short itineraries with the many new features installed during Carnival Sunrise’s $200 million transformation completed in 2019. Guests booked on the Sunrise 4- and 5-day itineraries from Port Everglades will be automatically moved to sailings from PortMiami.
• Carnival Sunrise is part of Carnival’s 50th birthday celebration and there will be no changes to her birthday sailing, which is scheduled for March 5, 2022. These special sailings have been in high demand and will feature special entertainment, at-sea ship rendezvous and onboard activities and offerings. For more information on this special group of itineraries in March 2022, please visit carnival.com/sailabration.
• Carnival Fascination itineraries from San Juan and Barbados have been cancelled for 2020-2021 as the cruise line focuses its return to operations on mainland drive markets in the U.S.
• Itineraries for Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration from Long Beach have been cancelled through Apr. 19, 2021. Carnival Panorama will continue to operate 7-day cruises from Long Beach while Carnival Miracle will operate shorter itineraries from San Diego to Baja Mexico.
• Carnival Radiance will now move directly from Europe after its $200 million transformation and homeport in Long Beach in April of 2021, where it will assume the short Baja Mexico itineraries previously served by Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration. Guests booked on Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration after April 22, 2021 will be re-accommodated on Carnival Radiance, where they will experience the host of upgrades and new features including Shaq’s Big Chicken Restaurant and an expanded waterpark popular with families sailing with children.
• Separately, Carnival also notified its Australian guests that it has extended its pause of operations in that country, and has cancelled six cruises scheduled to operate between Sept. 25 and Oct. 29, 2020.

“We have used this pause in operations to think carefully about our fleet and to build a plan that gives our guests new choices and upgrades to current ship offerings,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We have a great variety of ships across the Carnival Cruise Line fleet and we are thrilled to have been able to confirm a delivery date ahead of what we had anticipated for our second Excel ship, which is exciting news for guests interested in sailing from PortMiami on the sister ship to Mardi Gras! At the same time, we will continue to invest in the four remaining Fantasy class ships that we are keeping in the fleet. We have many guests who prefer our Fantasy class ships which work so well for shorter itineraries from smaller ports that cannot accommodate our larger ships. With a fleet that gives guests lots of choices in ships, homeports, destinations and features including a multitude of dining, entertainment and accommodation choices, we are very excited about the future for Carnival Cruise Line.”
Guests and travel agents are being notified directly about impacted sailings, guest re-accommodations and cancellations. Duffy thanked guests and travel agent partners alike for their continued patience, loyalty and support during this unprecedented time for the cruise industry. “With our future fleet plan resolved, we are focused on ensuring we are ready to return to operations once it is determined that the time is right to resume cruising in the U.S.,” she said.

Woah ... This is HUGE news...

So, in conclusion:

-Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration sold.
-Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination are in time-out. Cruises cancelled until April 19, 2021. Cruises after April 22, 2021 will be on Carnival Radiance.
-Carnival Sensation moves from Miami to Mobile and will receive guests from Fantasy and Fascination.
-Carnival Sunrise replaces Carnival Sensation in Miami (amazing upgrade!!!)
-People who had booked the Sunrise from FLL will now depart from MIA.
-Carnival Fascination sailings from San Juan and Barbados (2020-2021) are cancelled as cruises departing from mainland will be the focus.
-Carnival Panorama and Carnival Miracle will be assigned to West Coast.
-Carnival pauses all cruises in Australia and cancelled the remaining cruises that were supposed to happen in 2020.

There’s some interesting stuff in there. I’m pretty excited about Radiance being on the west coast doing weekend getaways. Long Beach is only a 6 hour drive from my doorstep and they’ve had some amazing last minute deals on Imagination and Inspiration, I just had zero interest in those ships. We were booked on the TA for Radiance but ended up canceling before all the Covid crap started, looks like she’s going to be a great ship. Will be great to have 2 nice ships on the west coast.

Carnival Radiance used to be the Victory, which we absolutely LOVED. This is so exciting!

 

[mevelandry]

John Heald just posted that precision:

"The Fantasy class lives on though with the Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise and Carnival Ecstasy ready to when we return to cruising to bring joyous Fun to many more thousands of people."

So... My guess is that the Fascination and Imagination will be sold at some point.

The Fantasy class is here to stay with the remaining 4. I'm hoping they will put more $ on it in the future so the experience feels more on par with the rest of the fleet.