Carnival Cruise Line’s 2,124-guest Carnival Spirit welcomed her first guests embarking from her new homeport of Mobile, Ala.  The ship is bringing more variety in Carnival’s offerings from Mobile – both on board and in the itineraries departing from the port.

To mark Carnival Spirit’s first sailing from Mobile, Captain Salvatore Siviero and the ship’s leadership team welcomed guests embarking on the cruise as well as special visitors, including City of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and Visit Mobile President and CEO David Clark, for an onboard celebration led by Sarah Beth Reno, Carnival’s senior vice president of guest operations.

“It’s great to see another Carnival funnel amid the Mobile skyline today. We are truly pleased to continue our strong partnership of more than 21 years with the city of Mobile,” said Reno. “Carnival Spirit is the perfect ship to carry out this new cruise program for Mobile, offering more accommodation options and all that our guests expect to find on a ‘Fun Ship,’ along with longer itineraries that offer guests a wider range of destinations to explore.”

To treat guests to a bit of Mobile spirit on board, the ship’s chefs served a large version of the city’s iconic MoonPie dessert. Moonpies are traditionally tossed to spectators during Mardi Gras parades in Mobile. Carnival Spirit’s massive MoonPie, which was decorated with a Carnival funnel design, was shared amongst the ship’s guests after Mayor Stimpson cut the first slice.

“Mobilians love to see a cruise ship on the waterfront, and Carnival Spirit is the best ship we’ve ever had. It will offer unparalleled itineraries and experiences and have a positive economic impact on the local retailers, restaurants and hotels that serve Carnival’s guests,” said Stimpson. “It was a pleasure to personally greet the first guests today and kick off what I know will be a successful cruising season.”

Guests departing today are sailing on an eight-day Bahamas cruise that features stops in Bimini, Freeport, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. The ship is set to sail a series of six- and eight-day sailings now through March 2024. Carnival has also opened cruises from fall 2024 to spring 2025 on Carnival Spirit from Mobile, featuring five-, six- and eight-day itineraries, as well as a 12-day Carnival Journeys Southern Caribbean cruise – the first Carnival Journeys cruise scheduled from Mobile.

Carnival Spirit offers a wide variety of amenities and features many guest-favorite Carnival venues, including Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and RedFrog Rum Bar. Guests also have more options to choose from among the accommodations, with the ship boasting double the amount of balcony staterooms available on previous ships homeported in Mobile.