Carnival’s Newest Ship Will Be Based in Long Beach
Carnival Panorama will be based in Long Beach in 2019
California, here they come! Slowly but surely, Carnival Cruise Line is expanding on the west coast. It’s been 20 years since Carnival based a brand new ship in Long Beach, CA. You’ll have to wait until 2019, but…that’s only next year!
At 133,500-tons and able to accommodate 3,960 passengers, Carnival Panorama is the cruise line’s third in its Vista-Class fleet along with Carnival Vista (2016) and Carnival Horizon (spring 2018).
Carnival Panorama itineraries will be 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises. As on the other two sister ships, there’ll be venues that offer both indoor and outdoor experiences. These will include Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Library Bar, and Bonsai Sushi. Outdoors, you’ll find attractions like the “bike-ride-in-the-sky” SkyRide, an expansive WaterWorks aqua park, and the SportSquare recreation area.
The grand re-opening of the 146,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Long Beach Cruise Terminal was celebrated inside the world’s largest, free-span geodesic dome. Originally built to house also Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose plane and served as the location for many famous Hollywood movies, Carnival now occupies 100% of this California landmark.
Reservations for the new Carnival Panorama should begin in late March 2018.
Carnival Splendor returns
Along with the grand re-opening of the terminal, Carnival Splendor has returned to homeport in Long Beach. Carnival Splendor now offers seven-day cruises to Mexico plus longer cruises to Alaska and Hawai’i. Built in 2008, Carnival Splendor carries 3,012 passengers and has nearly 600 balcony staterooms.
In addition to Carnival Splendor, Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration sail three- and four-day cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island.
Still more news for Long Beach
Carnival officials also announced a major port development project in Ensenada, Mexico, currently visited by the Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration. The port project will provide guests visiting the destination with new dining and shopping experiences ashore, along with attractions that would appeal to all cruisers. Details about the development are forthcoming.
