They’re on the move. Carnival announces three new homeport changes for 2016.
For us east-coasters, it’s great news to learn that the Carnival Ecstasy will head for Charleston in February 2016. I love all of the Florida ports, but it will be fun to experience a sailaway from a new port.
Carnival Ecstasy will offer four- to seven-night cruises from Charleston.
As of February 6, 2016, Carnival Ecstasy new itineraries will offer a variety of options. The four-night cruises head to Nassau while the five-night cruises call on Nassau and Freeport. If not Freeport then it will be beautiful Half Moon Cay, a private island in the Bahamas.
Looking for more time your cruise vacation, there’ll be three six-day cruises that call on Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay. Dates are May 23, Oct.2 and Oct. 30.
If you want an even longer cruise, there will be a choice of two seven-night cruises that visit Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau or Amber Cove (Carnival’s newest port in the Dominican Republic), Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay.
The Carnival Ecstasy experienced a Fun Ship 2.0 refurbishment in 2014 and added the WaterWorks aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, a Serenity adults-only retreat and pool, over 150 staterooms and suites with private balconies. Plus Carnival’s signature Red Frog Rum Bar, Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and for families, Hasbro The Game Show.
Carnival Victory heads south. Way south.
Also on the move in November 2016, the Carnival Victory will leave Port Canaveral and relocate to San Juan. From here, the Victory will offer seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises that call on five distinctly different ports: St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.
“Our popular southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan offer our guests the opportunity to visit five different tropical destinations during their week-long vacation and each of these fantastic ports feature not only spectacular beaches but also a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities and attractions,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president.
Carnival Victory’s complete Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade recently added the Alchemy Bar and SkyBox Sports Bar.
Carnival Fantasy moves to Miami for three- and four-night cruises.
Keeping in pace, the Carnival Fantasy, currently in Charleston, will shift to Miami for three- and four-night cruise schedules beginning Feb.22, 2016. Three-night weekend cruises depart on Friday and overnight in Nassau. Four,-night cruises leave on Mondays and call on Key West and Cozumel. Prior to the start-up of three- and four-day service from Miami, Carnival Fantasy will offer a special five-day cruise to Amber Cove and Grand Turk departing Feb. 17, 2016. Carnival Fascination will assume this route from the Carnival Fantasy beginning Nov. 7, 2016. Details on the Carnival Fantasy’s future deployment will be provided at a later date.
Yes, Virginia, there will be repositioning cruises.
En route to their new homeports, Carnival Fascination and Carnival Victory will offer exciting seven- and eight-night Caribbean cruises, respectively, departing in October 2016.
Carnival Victory will operate a special seven-night cruise that will depart from Port Canaveral, Fla., Oct. 30, 2016, and arrive in San Juan Nov. 6, 2016. Ports on this itinerary include St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Maarten.
Carnival Fascination will offer a one-time eight-night cruise from San Juan to Miami Oct. 30 – Nov. 7, 2016, with extended calls at St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and Grand Turk.
I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath…stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
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