Carnival to Begin Operations in Alabama
Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Fantasy will begin voyages from the Alabama coast, marking the return of cruise ships to Mobile after a four-year absence.
The first cruise will start from the Mobile Cruise Terminal in autumn 2016. The Carnival Fantasy will also operate cruises to Mexico throughout the year.
The Mobile City Council approved the deal between the Cruise Line and the city-owned cruise ship terminal on Wednesday. The agreement approved by the council is for about 13 months, meaning the cruises will run from early November 2016 to late November 2017.
The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will undergo a Multi million dollar refurbishment before setting out.
The renovation will include Carnival’s popular Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program, including Guy's Burger Joint, two poolside bars – the RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar – and the BlueIguana Cantina Mexican-themed restaurant.
The return of cruise ships to Alabama's coast will have a large impact on the economy, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement. "We are proud that Carnival has decided to bring a cruise ship back to the Port City," said Bentley, who praised Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson for his role in the agreement.
