With music playing and crowds cheering on the dock, the Carnival Spirit departed Mobile on Friday morning — the Port City’s newest cruise ship and a milestone in the return of year-round cruising to southwest Alabama.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson joined passengers in celebrating the launch. “If you can’t be excited about this, I don’t know what it’s going to take to get you excited,” Stimpson said. “Just look at all the smiling faces.”
From No Return Plans to a Five-Year Deal
The last Carnival ship to sail from Mobile, the Ecstasy, left in October 2022 with no plans to come back, and demand for cruising’s return grew steadily afterward. Carnival’s senior vice president of guest operations, Sarah Beth Reno, said the line considers Mobile one of its best ports.
At 630 balconies plus longer itineraries and expanded amenities, the Spirit is being billed as the most capable cruise ship ever homeported in Mobile. Under a five-year arrangement, the ship will sail from Mobile six months of each year, with an option to extend for two more. Stimpson said the city is also working toward having a ship sailing from Mobile every month of the year.
Passengers Arrive From Across the Country
The inaugural sailing drew travelers from around the country, including Sheresa and Brian Galbreath of Arizona, who planned an eight-day voyage to Bimini, Freeport, Half-Moon Cay, and Nassau in the Bahamas. Before boarding, they explored downtown Mobile’s restaurants and bars. “It’s still exciting when we come on,” Brian Galbreath said.
Carnival’s next Mobile departure is set for Oct. 26.