Carnival Cruise Line Agreement With Port Canaveral Gains CDC Approval as Restart Plans Progress
By Space Coast Daily // May 29, 2021
Carnival is focusing on its return to guest operations this summer at Port Canaveral
BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Carnival Cuise Line received U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s acceptance of its Phase 2A Port Agreements for Port Canaveral, along with PortMiami and Port of Galveston – all key homeports for Carnival and the first three homeports that Carnival is focusing on for its return to guest operations this summer.
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed last week that their long-awaited and highly anticipated new cruise ship Mardi Gras will arrive at her homeport of Port Canaveral June 4, following a transatlantic voyage from Barcelona that departing May 21.
Port Canaveral has been identified as a restart priority, and Carnival expects to announce plans for operations from Brevard County over the coming days.
“This is the exciting news that we have been waiting for,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.
“A tremendous amount of cooperative effort went into these agreements as we worked closely with our partner Carnival Cruise Line. This is a monumental step to getting the cruise industry up and running once again.”
Carnival said that the Carnival Horizon, sailing from Miami and the Carnival Vista and Breeze, sailing from Galveston, will be the first ships to carry guests as the line plans its July return to service.
Under the CDC guidelines, a cruise line must have agreements with its homeports that they are prepared to support the cruise operator with additional public health and operational resources prior to the implementation of simulated cruise and/or full guest operations.
“These agreements move us one step closer to sailing with our loyal guests,” said Lars Ljoen, executive vice president and chief maritime officer for Carnival Cruise Line.
“We appreciate the support from not just these three homeport partners, but all of our homeports, that are eager to have us back as soon as possible.”
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Mardi Gras Will Homeport At Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 3
When Mardi Gras arrives at Port Canaveral, she will be flying the Bahamian flag to designate the new ship registry for the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) ship to operate in North America.
Mardi Gras’ debut had been delayed almost a year due to the Covid 19 Pandemic and the pause in cruise operations in the U.S. and around the world.
Upon arrival to Port Canaveral, Mardi Gras will continue to bring joining crew members on board, train them on new equipment, technology and procedures, and get ready to welcome guests for her inaugural sailing.
Mardi Gras will be the largest ship ever for Carnival Cruise Line and feature the world’s first roller coaster at sea, all new staterooms and suite designs and a host of new dining, and entertainment venues.
