Carnival Cruise Line announced this past week two ships will be added to the Carnival fleet by 2023. 

Brand New 3rd Excel Class Ship
          One of the ships being added to Carnival's fleet is an Excel class ship that was originally scheduled to be built for Carnival Corporation's Aida brand. The Excel class ship is in the same class of ships as the Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration (scheduled to debut 2022). The Excel class ship is Liquid Natural Gas powered. This ship is scheduled to arrive to Carnival's fleet in late 2023. 


Costa Magica To Transfer To Carnival's Fleet
                The other ship coming to Carnival's fleet is the Costa Magica. The Costa Magica is a Destiny class cruise ship that is sailing under the Costa brand of Carnival Corporation. Before joining Carnival's fleet, the Costa Magica will be sent to dry-dock and will undergo a Carnival branding conversion. The ship's name will be changed. It is not yet known exactly what the ship's new name will be or any changes Carnival has planned to the ship's layout & features. This ship is expected to arrive in Carnival's fleet by mid-2022. 
                  The Costa Magica's general layout is very similar to the Carnival Destiny, which was converted in 2013 into the Carnival Sunshine. According to Costa's website, the Costa Magica has 3,470 guests, 1,027 crew, and is 893 feet in length. 

The homeport of these ships is not announced as of the time of writing. More information is expected to come later!

For Carnival Cruise Line's press release: Click Here (link will take you to Carnival's news website away from RyG's Cruise Guide). 

      Carnival Cruise Line has announced some temporary changes to the benefits offered to Platinum & Diamond guests in the VIFP Club. The VIFP Club is Carnival's loyalty program that has different levels based on the numbers of days a cruiser has sailed with Carnival. Due to the re-start of cruises after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown, some of the benefits offered to Platinum & Diamond guests are going to be a little different.

Priority Boarding
            Carnival's VIFP Club webpage notes that the benefit of priority boarding to Platinum & Diamond guests for July 2021 and August 2021 cruises is changing to where Platinum & Diamond guests now get to check-in for the cruise 48 hours earlier. Platinum & Diamond guests must select a check-in time slot and will receive an assigned boarding zone. Carnival giving 48 hours earlier seems to be their way of still giving some priority to get on the ship, but the old way of priority boarding seems to be going away for now. John Heald's Facebook post regarding these changed benefits notes that anyone that arrives early will be turned away, which seems to include Platinum and Diamond guests.  

For John Heald's Facebook page please check out his Facebook page. I included a screenshot of the post below for quick and easy reference. Please click the pictures to make them larger! 

     This morning I made a quick trip down to Galveston to see the Carnival Vista and Carnival Sensation docked. The Carnival Vista was docked at Cruise Terminal #1 and the Carnival Sensation at Cruise Terminal #2. The main reason for this trip was wanting to see the Carnival Sensation in Galveston. Carnival has the Carnival Sensation temporarily using Galveston as its homeport for now, but when the Carnival Sensation resumes cruises the ship will be sailing 4 & 5 night cruises from Mobile, Alabama. I did not want to miss out on an opportunity to see the Carnival Sensation in Galveston because the ships' schedules have not been predictable lately due to the shutdown. Here are some pictures I took during this visit to Galveston:

Carnival Vista
           From Harborside Drive I was able to see crew members moving around on the Carnival Vista. A few crew members were walking the ship's Lanai on the Promenade Deck and others were on the lifeboat embarkation deck (it looked like they may have been doing safety training). I did see a few crew members on the balconies. These crew members are likely new to the ship and still undergoing their mandatory quarantine before being able to move around the ship with the rest of the crew. Here are a few pictures of the Carnival Vista from today's visit to Galveston: 

Carnival Sensation
                  I was able to see a couple of crew members on the Carnival Sensation, but did not spot very many crew members. There were several large trucks parked in between the cruise terminals bringing supplies to the ships. The Carnival Sensation is one of Carnival's four remaining Fantasy class cruise ships and is Carnival's second oldest ship in the fleet. It was exciting to see this ship docked in Galveston. Here are some pictures of the Carnival Sensation: 

It was great seeing the ships in Galveston today!

      Yesterday Carnival Cruise Line announced additional operations plans for ships sailing out of Texas, Florida, California, and Washington as well as additional cancellations. The process of getting Carnival's fleet up and running is a gradual process because it takes time to get the crew back onboard and Carnival has to make sure the CDC's conditions for sailing are met. 
             Below is a list of by month of Carnival ships that currently have plans for a cruise re-start. The specific procedures for these sailings should be communicated to booked guests as well as posted on Carnival's website. As procedures, protocols, & itineraries are constantly changing you should check Carnival's website for the latest information as there is a chance by the time you read this something has likely changed.  Click Here to go to Carnival's Guest Protocols webpage (link will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide). 

July 2021 Re-Start

• The Carnival Vista is scheduled to resume cruises out of Galveston, Texas starting in July 2021. The Carnival Vista will be sailing 7 night cruises in July 2021 that are scheduled to visit Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan. The Carnival Vista's first cruise back in service is currently scheduled for Saturday, July 3, 2021.
• The Carnival Breeze is scheduled to begin cruises again starting on Thursday, July 15, 2021 out of Galveston, Texas and will sail 4 & 5 night cruises.      
• The Carnival Horizon is scheduled to sail 6 & 8 night cruises from Miami, Florida, starting on Sunday, July 4, 2021.
• The Carnival Miracle is scheduled to sail 7 night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting Tuesday, July 27, 2021. 
• Carnival Cruise Line announced its newest ship, Mardi Gras, is now scheduled to begin sailing seven night cruises from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida starting on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The Mardi Gras' first sailings are considered to be pre-inaugural as the ship. It is unclear when the "official" inaugural voyage will be scheduled.

​
August 2021 Re-Start

• ​The Carnival Magic will start cruising again starting Saturday, August 7, 2021, and will be taking over the Carnival Elation's scheduled cruises from Port Canaveral that were scheduled between August 7 - October 7, 2021. Guests booked on the Carnival Elation will be moved to the Carnival Magic. Carnival also announced three new 6 night cruises and one 8 night cruise will take place between October 11-31, 2021. 
• The Carnival Sunrise is scheduled to start cruising on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from Miami, Florida. 
• The Carnival Panorama is scheduled to start cruising on Saturday, August 21, 2021 from Long Beach, California to sail 7 night Mexican Riviera itineraries. 

Additional Cancellations
           In Carnival's press release it was noted cruises on the Carnival Pride from Baltimore, Carnival Sunshine from Charleston, Carnival Dream from Galveston, Carnival Ecstasy from Jacksonville, Carnival Liberty from Port Canaveral, Carnival Conquest from Miami, Carnival Sensation from Mobile, and Carnival Glory from New Orleans have cruises now cancelled through August 31, 2021. 

Vaccine Requirement & Onboard Protocols
                 Carnival's Guest Protocols page has the following line written when describing the August cruises, "Carnival plans to operate the following August sailings with vaccinated guests. We will be providing more details directly to guests next week on guidelines and protocols." The exact details of the vaccine requirement as well as any other onboard protocols has not been fully released at the time of writing. If you are on one of these cruises keep watching your email for messages from Carnival or check Carnival's website. 
To visit Carnival's Guest Protocols webpage: Click Here (link will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide). Please note, this page has been changing throughout the past couple of weeks so as procedures and details get fine-tuned and CDC guidance changes the content of this page is subject to change. 

For Carnival's press release over the August re-start: Click Here 

Please keep in mind information is subject to change at any time. I highly advise you consult Carnival's website, talk to your travel agent, or call Carnival for the latest information. Onboard procedures and protocols are likely to change as well. 

       The 2021 Alaska cruise season is expected to be modified and shorter than prior years, but several cruise lines including Princess, Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean have all announced plans to sail Alaska cruise itineraries this year. This page compiles some ships and basic itinerary information for some of the ships with current plans to sail to Alaska in 2021. 
            Due to the COVID-19 pandemic health protocols and requirements are constantly evolving. Each cruise line on this list has a vaccination requirement for COVID-19 at the time of writing (some make exceptions based on age). I highly recommend before booking anything you check your cruise line's website or discuss with a travel agent the latest vaccination requirements or onboard protocols. Also, keep in mind things are subject to change in terms of procedures and/or itineraries. If COVID-19 is detected on your cruise that could also have an impact on your itinerary. 

Carnival Miracle
Carnival Cruise Line
​​        The Carnival Miracle is scheduled to sail seven night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting July 27, 2021. During the ship's shortened Alaska cruise season these seven night cruises have planned itinerary stops in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan as well as a scenic cruise day in Tracy Arm Fjord. 
             As of the time of writing, the Carnival Miracle's 2021 Alaska cruises are for guests that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Carnival's website explicitly states, "Guests who are not vaccinated, including children who are not eligible for the vaccine, will not be permitted to sail". 
For information on Carnival Cruise Line's Alaska protocols: Click Here

Majestic Princess
Princess Cruise Line
​​         The Majestic Princess is scheduled to sail seven night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting July 25, 2021. During the Majestic Princess' Alaska cruise season these seven night cruises have planned itinerary stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan and a scenic cruise day in Glacier Bay. 
            As of the time of writing, the Majestic Princess' 2021 Alaska cruises are for guests that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. For more information on Princess' health protocols please click here. 

Nieuw Amsterdam
Holland America Line
​​         The Nieuw Amsterdam is scheduled to sail seven night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting July 24, 2021. During the Nieuw Amsterdam's Alaska cruise season these seven night cruises have planned itinerary stops in Juneau, Icy Straight Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, and a scenic cruise day in Glacier Bay. 
            As of the time of writing, the Niewu Amsterdam's Alaska cruises are for guests that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Holland America's press release announcing the Alaska cruises for the ship stated, "These Holland America Line cruises in 2021 to Alaska are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Shipboard crew vaccinations will also be in accordance with CDC guidelines". To read this press release by Holland America please click here. 

Serenade of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
​​         The Serenade of the Seas is scheduled to sail seven night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting July 19, 2021. During the Serenade of the Seas' Alaska cruise season these seven night cruises have planned itinerary stops that vary by sailing date. One cruise route shows the the ship stopping in Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and having a scenic cruise day in the Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. The other route shows the ship stopping at Icy Straight Point, Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, and having a scenic cruise day in Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. 
             As of the time of writing, the Serenade of the Seas' Alaska cruises are requiring COVID-19 vaccines, however there are some exclusions. Royal Caribbean's press release notes, "Vacationers sailing to Alaska who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and those 12 or older as of Aug. 1." To view Royal Caribbean's press release please click here. 

​Ovation of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
​​         The Ovation of the Seas is scheduled to sail seven night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting August 13, 2021. During the Ovation of the Seas' Alaska cruise season these seven night cruises have planned itinerary stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, and scenic cruise days in the Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. 
           As of the time of writing, the Serenade of the Seas' Alaska cruises are requiring COVID-19 vaccines, however there are some exclusions. Royal Caribbean's press release notes, "Vacationers sailing to Alaska who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and those 12 or older as of Aug. 1." To view Royal Caribbean's press release please click here. 

Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Cruise Line
​​         The Norwegian Encore is scheduled to sail seven night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting August 7, 2021. During the Norwegian Encore's Alaska cruise season these seven night cruises have planned itinerary stops based on the specific cruise departure date. One type of itinerary being offered includes port stops at Icy Straight Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. The other type of itinerary being offered includes port stops at Juneau, Icy Straight Point, and Ketchikan. 
            As of the time of writing, the Norwegian Encore's Alaska cruises are requiring COVID-19 vaccines. Norwegian Cruise Line's website states, "All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated, at least 2 weeks prior to departure, in order to board. Guest vaccination requirements are currently for all sailings embarking through October 31, 2021– we will follow the science to make determinations on requirements for all other future sailings." For Norwegian Cruise Line's health page click here. ​
            

Celebrity Millennium 
Celebrity Cruises
​​         The Celebrity Millennium is scheduled to sail seven night cruises from Seattle, Washington to Alaska starting in July 2021. During the Celebrity Millennium's Alaska cruise season these seven night cruises have planned itinerary stops based on the specific sailing departure date. One type of itinerary being offered includes stops at Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and scenic cruise areas such as Endicott Arm and the Inside Passage. The other type of itinerary being offered includes stops Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Straight Point, and scenic cruise areas such as the Endicott Arm. 
            As of the time of writing, Celebrity's website states, "All guests ages 16 and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. As of August 1, 2021, all US guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. For UK residents, all guests 18 and over must be fully vaccinated with all Covid-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. Crew members onboard will be vaccinated." For additional information on Celebrity's health protocols please click here. 
            

Important Note:  Some cruise lines with smaller ships are also sailing Alaska during the 2021 season. I generally do not cover these lines in on my blog, but wanted to mention you might be able to find cruises with some of these cruise operators for 2021 as well.