Two More Ships Leave Carnival Cruise Line Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line has announced the sale of two Fantasy-class ships. The Carnival Fascination, which launched in 1994, and Carnival Imagination introduced in 1995. The sale of these ships is part of Carnival Corporation’s plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet.

“While we are sad to see Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination leave our fleet, it is a necessary move as it allows us to focus on ships that offer the greatest variety of features and stateroom accommodations for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

This follows the sale of Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration which took place earlier this summer. Upon return to operations, Carnival will still operate four upgraded Fantasy-class ships – Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation, and Carnival Paradise – which feature additional balcony staterooms as well as enhanced dining and entertainment options that are part of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program.

In addition and as part of Carnival’s ongoing ship enhancement program coupled with the current pause in cruise operations, it is delaying the return of guests for four ships until after scheduled dry dock enhancements are completed, which will happen in the first half of 2021. Carnival stated that the extended pause in operations has impacted shipyard availability requiring them to reschedule required dry docks.

The four impacted ships and resulting cancelled itineraries include:

• Carnival Magic itineraries operating from Miami will be cancelled until Mar. 13, 2021
• Carnival Paradise itineraries operating from Tampa will be cancelled until Mar. 19, 2021
• Carnival Valor itineraries operating from New Orleans will be cancelled until Apr. 29, 2021 (including the transatlantic cruise from New Orleans on Jan. 25, 2021 and the return from Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2021)
• Carnival Spirit itineraries operating from Brisbane will be cancelled through May 16, 2021, with the first sailing being the Singapore to Brisbane voyage embarking on June 12, 2021.

“We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our guests and hope to welcome them back onboard soon,” Duffy said.

The Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination sale are among the 18 total cruise ships that the Carnival Corporation will part with over the next few months as the brand 

Carnival Corporation will part with a total of 18 cruise ships in the next few months — 12% of its fleet — as cruising in many parts of the world remain suspended. The brand had previously announced that in addition to the Carnival Cruise Line Ships, the Costa Victoria, Holland America Line's Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam, Veendam, and P&O Cruises Oceanea would be leaving the fleet. 

Read More: Four Ships to Leave the Holland America Fleet This Year

Read More: Carnival Cruise Line Announces New Ship Debut Date, Plans for Current Fleet

Updated: September 18, 2020