As the year 2016 comes to a close, it is time to look towards 2017 which will bring another year of cruising to the Mobile, Alabama cruise industry. While 2016 only gave Mobile two months of cruise departures from Carnival Cruise Line, 2017 will be filled with an entire year of cruises. Here is an overview of what to expect for Mobile in 2017:

Carnival Cruise Line
          The Carnival Fantasy is scheduled to sail from Mobile year-round in 2017. The Carnival Fantasy primarily sails 4 & 5 night cruises. The 4 night cruises typically depart on Thursdays and sail to Cozumel, Mexico. The 5 night cruises typically alternate between departing on Mondays and Saturdays. Some of the Carnival Fantasy's 5 night cruises sail to Cozumel & Progreso, but other 5 night cruises on the Carnival Fantasy sail to Cozumel & Costa Maya. The 5 night itinerary depends on the particular departure date.  

For more information about itineraries, sailing dates, and for the most up to date information please visit Carnival Cruise Line's website. 

          Today, I had the opportunity to see the Carnival Valor and Disney Wonder sail into Galveston. Both ships were delayed due to heavy fog. The Disney Wonder docked around 11:40am and the Carnival Valor a little after 12:00pm. 
       The Carnival Valor is currently the newest edition to Galveston's growing selection of cruise ships. The Carnival Valor is replacing the Carnival Liberty and will primarily sail 4 & 5 day cruises.  The Carnival Valor first arrived in Galveston on Saturday, December 17, 2016. Today (12/23/2016) was the Carnival Valor's second time docking in Galveston. The Disney Wonder has been sailing from Galveston seasonally for the past few years.
​            This was the first time I have ever seen a Disney ship and the first time I have seen the Carnival Valor. I will be cruising the Carnival Valor in 2017, so it was exciting to see the ship in Galveston!  Here are some pictures:

Disney Wonder's Arrival:
The Disney Wonder was the first ship to arrive in Galveston today. Before docking, the ship turned around and sailed into Galveston backwards. The Disney Wonder docked at Galveston's Terminal 2.
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!

Carnival Valor's Arrival:
The Carnival Valor arrived shortly after the Disney Wonder was docked. Before docking, the ship turned around and sailed into Galveston backwards. The Carnival Valor docked at Galveston's Terminal 1. 
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!

        As the year 2016 comes to a close, it is time to look towards 2017 which will bring another year of cruising to the Port Canaveral/Orlando cruise industry Please note, Port Canveral and Orlando are often used interchangably as the departure homeport's name. I will usually refer to this port as Port Canaveral. This year-at-a-glance does not include ships docking in Port Canaveral as a port of call. Here is an overview of what to expect from cruise lines that sail from Port Canaveral in 2017: ​

Carnival Cruise Line
           In 2017, Carnival Cruise Line has three ships scheduled to sail year-round from the homeport. The Carnival Liberty is scheduled to primarily sail 3 and 4 night cruises. The Carnival Liberty's three night cruises typically sail to to Nassau and the Carnival Liberty's four night cruises primarily sail to Nassau and Freeport. The Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to primarily sail 5, 6, and 8 night cruises. The Carnival Sunshine has multiple 5 night cruise itineraries that sail to a variety of different parts of the Caribbean and Bahamas. The Carnival Magic is primarily scheduled to sail 6,7, and 8 night cruises from Port Canaveral in 2017. Similar to the Carnival Sunshine, the Carnival Magic has too many itinerary options for me to list everything here. 

Royal Caribbean International
             Royal Caribbean has two ships scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral in 2017. The Majesty of the Seas is scheduled to primarily sail 3 and 4 night cruises. The Majesty of the Seas' 3 night cruises will primarily sail to Nassau & Coco Cay, but there are a few cruises in 2017 that sail to Coco Cay & Grand Bahama instead. The order of these ports may vary depending on the cruise. The Majesty of the Seas' 4 night cruises sail to Nassau & Coco Cay. Depending on the particular cruise, the order of the ports may be different.  The other ship Royal Caribbean has sailing from Port Canveral in 2017 is the Oasis of the Seas. The Oasis of the Seas will primarily sail 7 night cruises, but there are too many itinerary combinations for me to list all of them here. 

Norwegian Cruise Line
                 Norwegian Cruise Line does not offer cruises departing Port Canaveral year round, but does have cruises scheduled for about half of the year. In 2017, the Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral until mid-April 2017 and then return to Port Canaveral in November 2017. The Norwegian Epic has many seven night cruises scheduled for either the Eastern or Western Caribbean. There are some cruises available for booking that are longer than 7 night nights. 

Disney Cruise Line
                   Since the Port Canaveral and Orlando area is where many people travel for Disney World, it is not surprising to find numerous cruise departures on Disney Cruise Line from Port Canaveral for 2017. In 2017, the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy all have cruise departures of various lengths and itineraries from Port Canaveral at some point in the year. There are so many cruise departures for Disney Cruise Line in 2017 from Port Canaveral, I could write a complete separate article.

For more information about itineraries, sailing dates, and for the most up to date information please visit each repsective cruise line's website. Please keep in mind, this overview does not necessarily include all cruises or itineraries that could occur during the year. 

      As the year 2016 comes to a close, it is time to look towards 2017 which will bring another year of cruising to the Tampa, Florida, cruise industry Here is an overview of what to expect from cruise lines that sail from Tampa in 2017: ​

Carnival Cruise Line
           The Carnival Paradise is scheduled to sail year-round from Tampa, Florida, again in 2017 for Carnival Cruise Line. The Carnival Paradise primarily sails 4 and 5 night cruises. Four night cruises typically sail to Cozumel, Mexico. There are a variety of 5 night itineraries the Carnival Paradise will offer in 2017. While it appears each of the Carnival Paradise's 5 night itineraries stop at Cozumel, the second port of call varies between Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay, or Key West. 
               The Carnival Pride also has a few cruises departing Tampa, Florida, in 2017. These cruises appear to be in late January 2017 and February 2017. The majority of the Carnival Pride's cruises from Tampa are 7 night cruises that sail to Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay, Belize, and Cozumel. 

Royal Caribbean
               Royal Caribbean has two cruise ships scheduled to sail from Tampa in 2017. These ships are not based in Tampa year round. The Brilliance of the Seas is scheduled to sail 4 and 5 night cruises from Tampa until early April 2017. The ship is scheduled to return to Tampa in November 2017. Four night cruises on the Brilliance of the Seas are scheduled to sail to Cozumel and most 5 night cruises are scheduled to sail to Cozumel & Grand Cayman or Cozumel & Key West. There may be a few minor exceptions to the ship's cruising patterns. 
                The Rhapsody of the Seas is primarily scheduled to sail 7 night cruises from Tampa, Florida. These 7 night cruises that occur between January and April 2017 are scheduled to sail to Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. In late November 2017 and December 2017, the Rhapsody of the Seas primarily has 7 night cruises from Tampa that sail to Key West, Cozumel, Belize, and Costa Maya. 
                  The Empress of the Seas is scheduled to sail from Tampa in the early part of May 2017. It appears the ship has a vareity of 4 and 5 night cruise itineraries from Tampa. A few of the Empress of the Seas' cruises will have a port of call stop in Havana, Cuba. Royal Caribbean recently announced this deployment in early December 2016. Although Royal Caribbean does not have the Empress of the Seas' summer schedule available yet, the press releasing announcing the ship's sailings from Tampa says the ship will be homeported during the summer in Tampa. More details should be released in the coming weeks. 

Norwegian Cruise Line
​               The Norwegian Jade is scheduled to sail seasonally from Tampa in 2017. Norwegian Cruise Line's booking engine only shows the Norwegian Jade sailing from Tampa until late April 2017. The Norwegian Jade offers a variety of cruise lengths. On January 15, a 10 night cruise is scheduled to sail to Key West, Tortola, St. John's, Philipsburg, and San Juan. On January 25, a 12 night cruise is scheduled to sail to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Santo Domingo, Tortola, San Juan, and Key West. The Norwegian Jade has 4, seven night cruises from Tampa in 2017 that are scheduled to sail to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, and Harvest Caye. One 4 night cruise is scheduled on the Norwegian Jade from Tampa on March 6 that sails to Costa Maya. 

Holland America
            Holland America is scheduled to sail seasonally from Tampa in 2017 too. From January to April 2017, Holland America offers a variety of cruises on the ms Oosterdam from Tampa. From November to December 2017, the ms Rotterdam is scheduled to sail from Tampa. 

For more information about itineraries, sailing dates, and for the most up to date information please visit each repsective cruise line's website. 

        The Carnival Horizon is scheduled to begin cruising in 2018, but there have not been many details about the ship released at this time. Carnival released additional details on the Carnival Horizon on January 24, 2017. Since there are many people asking about the Carnival Horizon, I wanted to take time to put together a mini guide of things we know about the Carnival Horizon and things we are still waiting to learn. 

Basic Facts We Know:
             The Carnival Horizon will be the 2nd ship in Carnival's Vista Class. The Carnival Horizon is scheduled to begin sailing in April 2018 based on Carnival's January 2017 press release. Originally, Carnival had said March 2018.   The Carnival Horizon will be approximately 133,500 tons and is being built at Fincanteri's Marghera Shipyard in Italy.
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Ship's Itineraries: 
           The Carnival Horizon's inaugural cruise will be a 13 night cruise that departs April 2, 2018, and this cruise will depart from Barcelona, Spain. Following this cruise, the Carnival Horizon will sail two seven night cruises that depart on April 15 and April 22, 2018 from Barcelona, Spain. After these two cruises conclude, the Carnival Horizon will sail a 10 night cruise which departs from Barcelona also. 
                After the Carnival Horizon's Mediterranean Season, the ship will sail a repositioning cruise to New York. This cruise will be 14 nights and depart Barcelona on May 9, 2018. Carnival's press release notes, the following ports are scheduled for the repositioning cruise including: Malaga (Spain), Gibraltor, Lisbon (Portugal), Vigo (Spain), and Halifax. 
                  Once the Carnival Horizon arrives in New York City the ship will offer 8 night cruises that visit ports such as Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and San Juan. Carnival's press release states departure dates for the Carnival Horizon from New York are May 28, June 5, June 13, June 25, July 3, July 11, July 23, July 31, August 8, August 20, August 28, and September 5. Please note, Carnival's press release says additional New York cruises will be announced soon.
                   Following the Carnival Horizon's New York City deployment, the ship will begin cruising from Miami, Florida. The ship will primarily sail 6 & 8 night cruises from Miami. The 6 night cruises will depart on Sundays and are scheduled to have ports of call at Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. For 8 night cruises, the Carnival Horizon will have 2 different itinerary combinations. One 8 night cruise combination is scheduled to have port of call stops at Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao, and Aruba. The other 8 night cruise combination is scheduled to have port of call stops at Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten. The 8 night cruises will typically depart Miami on Saturdays. 

Links To Carnival's Press Releases For More Information:

If you would like to read Carnival's January 2017 press release that gave details on itineraries please click here (will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide) 

​ If you would like to read Carnival's initial press release on the Horizon please click here (will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide).

     As the year 2016 comes to a close, it is time to look towards 2017 which will bring another year of cruising and growth to the Galveston cruise industry. Here is an overview of what to expect from cruise lines that sail from Galveston in 2017: 

Carnival Cruise Line
         Just like 2016, Carnival Cruise Line will continue having three year round ships departing Galveston. The Carnival Breeze will primarily sail 7 night cruises on Sunday from Galveston. The Carnival Freedom will also sail 7 night cruises, but these cruises will depart on Saturdays. The Carnival Valor, which is scheduled to replace the Carnival Liberty in December 2016, will primarily sail 4 & 5 night cruises that alternate between departing on Thursdays, Mondays, and Saturdays.  The Carnival Breeze is Carnival's largest ship that will be sailing from Galveston in 2017.  The Carnival Freedom and Carnival Valor are extremely similar as both are members of Carnival's Conquest class. 

Royal Caribbean
            Just like 2016, Royal Caribbean will continue having the Liberty of the Seas sailing from Galveston. The Liberty of the Seas will continue primarily sailing 7 night cruises from Galveston that depart on Sundays.  However, Royal Caribbean is adding a second ship to Galveston in late 2017. The Vision of the Seas will begin sailing from Galveston in November 2017. The Vision of the Seas will primarily sail 4 & 5 night cruises from Galveston. Once the Vision of the Seas begins sailing from Galveston, this will mark an increase in the number of cruise passengers sailing from Galveston since the ship is being added and is not replacing another ship. 

Disney Cruise Line
               Disney Cruise Line will once again sail seasonally from Galveston in 2017. The year will start with the Disney Wonder sailing from Galveston, but in mid-January the ship will reposition. However, in November 2017 the Disney Wonder will return to sail more seasonal cruises from Galveston. It appears the majority of the Disney Wonder's cruises from Galveston are seven night cruises that sail to the Bahamas. 

For more information about itineraries, sailing dates, and for the most up to date information please visit each repsective cruise line's website. 

       The first day of a cruise can be a day of excitement, exploration, and relaxation, but there is a potential for some stress too as cruisers try to get acclimated  to their new home away from home. Throughout many years and cruises with Carnival Cruise Line, I have observed many trends and things that are important to note about the first day. Here is my list of things cruisers should know about the first day of a Carnival cruise: 

1.  The Lido Buffet Gets Crowded Fast, But Not Every Buffet Line Is Equally As Crowded
​         As more people get on the cruise ship, the Lido buffet will become more crowded. This is because the first thing most people do on their cruise is eat lunch. However, not every buffet line gets equally as crowded because there are many cruisers that will get in line at the first buffet line they see, especially if they are a first time cruiser. For example, on my Carnival Dream cruise a few years ago, the deli was located at the very back of the buffet away from many of the other buffet lines. The deli had no line even hours after boarding had started. This likely was due to most cruisers not knowing where the deli was. However, the buffet line that served hamburgers was extremely long because it was one of the first buffet lines cruisers would see on the Lido. On the other days of the cruise, things such as the deli had longer lines once most people knew where to find the deli.  
              All Carnival ships have food lines throughout various areas of the buffet. On your Carnival Cruise, if you do not want to wait in a long line try to see if something near the back of the buffet is less crowded. Before your cruise, look at your ship's deck plan to see if there are any buffet lines tucked away from the general areas of the buffet. 

2.   Do Not Go To Your Stateroom Early Unless You Are Platinum/Diamond Or Faster To The Fun
​                  Carnival offers a perk to Platinum and Diamond guests as well as a service to Faster to the Fun guests that allows early stateroom access upon boarding. On the first day of a cruise, Carnival closes down the stateroom hallways by shutting fire-doors to keep access limited. Guests with the perk of getting their stateroom ready early are allowed to open the fire door and go to their stateroom any time after boarding.
                      If you are not one of the people I mentioned above, please do not go to your stateroom early for any reason! This can complicate the cleaning and preparing process that stateroom stewards have. Before the official open time for staterooms, stewards are busy cleaning the rooms from the previous guests, changing linens, and cleaning bathrooms. I have seen a few people attempt to access their stateroom early and get kindly asked to leave by stateroom stewards. 

3.  Pools Are Typically Open On The First Day For Cruisers Who Want To Swim
                On the majority of my Carnival cruises the outside pools and hot-tubs have been open on the first day. There are some people that bring swimsuits in their carry-on bags in order to begin using the deck chairs and pools right away. Due to this, deck chairs don't just become scarce on sea days, they can easily become scarce on the first day of a cruise too! 

4.   The Muster Station Drill (Safety Briefing) Is Required
                 Before sailing, all cruise ship passengers are required to attend a mandatory muster station drill. This is due to international law. Do not try to skip this drill. Stateroom stewards check staterooms, balconies, stateroom bathrooms, and under beds to catch people trying to hide from the drill. Skipping the drill can result in fines or getting kicked off the cruise ship. 
                    The muster station drill on all of my cruises with Carnival have varied in length, but this is due to the other cruisers. When someone attempts to skip the drill, this can delay the official start of the drill for everyone else. Crew members at the muster station take a count of cruisers and report that number in order to make sure everyone is present. 

​5.  The Gift Shops and Casino Are Closed Until The Evening
                     When you first get on your cruise ship do not expect the gift shop or casino to be open. Both of these places are usually closed due to local laws regarding gambling and the selling of products. However, sometime after sailing in the evening these places will typically open. Check your Fun-Time, which is the on-board daily activity newsletter, for information about the times things will open or close during the day. 

6.   You Can Find Your Dinner Time and Dining Room Information On Your Sail & Sign Card 
                Carnival prints your assigned dinner time on your Sail & Sign card. If you don't remember which dining time is printed on your online documents, you can find your dinner information here. There are usually three different options for dinner dining on your cruise, which are Your-Time, Early Seating, and Late Seating. If you wish to have your dining time assignment changed, you can usually find information about this in the Fun-Time or visit the guest services desk. However, in most cases, it is hard to get a changed dining time. 

7.  Carnival Says You Can't Get Stateroom Upgrades On The First Day And This Is Typically True
                   Carnival will often advertise that stateroom upgrades are not available once the cruise has started due to the ship sailing full. This is usually true and means there are really no staterooms available for upgrades. Do not waste your time trying because the Guest Services line is typically long and it would stink to wait a long time in line to be told the same thing that Carnival has been saying the entire time. 

8.  The Guest Services Line Can Get Long On The First Day 
                      On the first day of the cruise, the line for Guest Services can get long. This is because people have questions, need various things done for them, and many other reasons. I recommend avoiding visiting this desk on the first day of the cruise, if possible. Of course, if you have something important you need to discuss you will have no choice, but to get in line. If that is the case, hopefully you will be lucky and the line will be short. If your request, question, or concern can wait until the next day, consider waking up early in the morning to visit Guest Services. 
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