Carnival Spirit sails from Mobile again, Carnival Valor brings year-round cruising in May

The City of Mobile and Visit Mobile welcomed Carnival Spirit back to the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal on Saturday, Oct. 24. The ship began sailing from Mobile that day, with cruises running through April.

The Spirit is the latest Carnival Cruise Line ship to make Mobile a homeport, part of a long-standing partnership between the company and the city.

Carnival Valor brings year-round cruising to Mobile in May

When the Spirit’s season ends, a larger ship takes its place. Starting in May, Mobile will welcome Carnival Valor, which will bring the return of year-round cruising to the Port City.

Here’s how the two ships compare:

• Carnival Spirit:
  • Built in 2001
  • 12 guest decks
  • 1,062 staterooms
  • Room for 2,124 guests at double occupancy
• Carnival Valor:
  • Built in 2004
  • 13 guest decks
  • 1,490 staterooms
  • Room for 2,980 guests at double occupancy

What’s on board Carnival Spirit and Carnival Valor

Both ships offer Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, a steakhouse, an adults-only Serenity deck, a casino, and Camp Ocean and Club O2 for kids and teens. Each also has a few signature features:

• Spirit:
  • WaterWorks aqua park with waterslides
  • Amini-golf course
  • A two-deck fitness center and jogging track
  • Fonsai Sushi
  • A Seafood Shack
• Valor:
  • A waterslide
  • A ropes course
  • The outdoor Seaside Theatre
  • The Ivanhoe Theater
  • Lindy Hop Piano Bar
  • SkyBox Sports Bar
  • The 24-hour Caboose Video Arcade

Cruises from Mobile: Bahamas, Western Caribbean and more

Carnival’s search for Mobile departures lists 24 cruise results, with prices starting at $388 per person based on two people sharing a room. Taxes and fees are included, and prices were listed as of Oct. 26. The Spirit’s seasonal schedule includes:

• 6-day Bahamas: From $425, stopping at Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
• 6-day Bahamas: From $447, stopping at Celebration Key and Nassau
• 8-day Bahamas: From $452, stopping at Key West, Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Nassau
• 6-day Western Caribbean: From $693, stopping at Cozumel and Isla Tropicale, Roatan
• 9-day Western Caribbean: From $983, stopping at Cozumel, Isla Tropicale, Grand Cayman and Montego Bay
• 16-day Panama Canal: From $911, a one-way trip from Mobile to Seattle with stops in Cartagena, Puntarenas and Cabo San Lucas

Carnival’s 55th Birthday sailing is also on the schedule. It’s an 8-day Bahamas trip from $882 with a Ship Meetups stop, plus visits to Key West, Celebration Key, Nassau and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

The Valor’s listings start at $388 for a 6-day Bahamas cruise with stops in Celebration Key and Bimini. Others include:

• 6-day Western Caribbean: From $475, stopping at Cozumel and Belize
• 7-day Western Caribbean: From $794, stopping at Isla Tropicale, Roatan, Belize and Cozumel
• 8-day Bahamas: From $479, stopping at Celebration Key, Nassau and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
• 14-day Caribbean & Panama: From $1,172, stopping at Ocho Rios, Aruba, Curaçao, Cartagena, Colón, Limon and Cozumel
• 14-day Southern Caribbean: From $1,203, stopping at Celebration Key, Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Thomas, Aruba, Curaçao and Montego Bay

Cruises can be booked on Carnival’s website.