Carnival Vista Arriving Back To Galveston For The First Time After The Shutdown (May 2, 2021) Two years ago today, July 3, 2021, marked an operational milestone for Carnival Cruise Line. After shutting down all cruise operations in March 2020, Carnival was able to begin a gradual restart that began with the Carnival Vista out of Galveston.
The Carnival Vista's first cruise sailing with guests departed Galveston on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Carnival held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the occasion Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy was in attendance for the event.
Carnival's restart was a gradual process and ships began resuming operations throughout 2021 and into March 2022 before all Carnival ships were back to sailing. The Carnival Horizon began operations out of Miami one day later, July 4, 2021 and the Carnival Breeze began operations from Galveston on July 15th. Carnival Miracle began sailings from Seattle on July 27, 2021. Protocols and procedures were adjusted throughout this time period based on the CDC guidelines and the regulations Carnival had to follow in the various ports of call.
The Carnival Vista's first cruise sailing with guests departed Galveston on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Carnival held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the occasion Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy was in attendance for the event.
Carnival's restart was a gradual process and ships began resuming operations throughout 2021 and into March 2022 before all Carnival ships were back to sailing. The Carnival Horizon began operations out of Miami one day later, July 4, 2021 and the Carnival Breeze began operations from Galveston on July 15th. Carnival Miracle began sailings from Seattle on July 27, 2021. Protocols and procedures were adjusted throughout this time period based on the CDC guidelines and the regulations Carnival had to follow in the various ports of call.
The Initial Shutdown:
Cruise Lines International Association announced a voluntary 30 day suspension of North American operations for member cruise lines on Friday, March 13, 2020 that was taking effect on Saturday, March 14, 2020. This included Carnival Cruise Line's operations. Cruises that were in progress were able to continue and the ships' guest operations would cease upon the ending of the cruise. I traveled down to Galveston on Saturday, March 14, 2020 to see the ships on their first day in shutdown. The Carnival Vista and Carnival Freedom were both docked on this particular morning. Guests were busy debarking, but the terminal was not near as crowded as normal due to no embarking guests arriving.
Click Here For My Post From March 2020 Showing Pictures
Cruise Lines International Association announced a voluntary 30 day suspension of North American operations for member cruise lines on Friday, March 13, 2020 that was taking effect on Saturday, March 14, 2020. This included Carnival Cruise Line's operations. Cruises that were in progress were able to continue and the ships' guest operations would cease upon the ending of the cruise. I traveled down to Galveston on Saturday, March 14, 2020 to see the ships on their first day in shutdown. The Carnival Vista and Carnival Freedom were both docked on this particular morning. Guests were busy debarking, but the terminal was not near as crowded as normal due to no embarking guests arriving.
Click Here For My Post From March 2020 Showing Pictures
During Shutdown - Ships With "We Will Be Back" Messages:
During the initial phase of the shutdown, most Carnival ships were hanging out in their homeport or in the waters outside their homeport. The Port of Galveston had the Carnival Vista, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Freedom at the time and these ships were rotating coming in and out of Galveston. At night, the ships had balcony lights on with different messages. I traveled to Galveston in the evening one Saturday night and took pictures of the Carnival Dream with its balcony lights saying "We Will Be Back". This visit to Galveston was strange because traffic was light and at the Galveston Strand all the businesses were closed to comply with the shutdown orders. A few weeks later the three Carnival ships out of Galveston sailed closer to Florida to begin the crew repatriation efforts.
During the initial phase of the shutdown, most Carnival ships were hanging out in their homeport or in the waters outside their homeport. The Port of Galveston had the Carnival Vista, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Freedom at the time and these ships were rotating coming in and out of Galveston. At night, the ships had balcony lights on with different messages. I traveled to Galveston in the evening one Saturday night and took pictures of the Carnival Dream with its balcony lights saying "We Will Be Back". This visit to Galveston was strange because traffic was light and at the Galveston Strand all the businesses were closed to comply with the shutdown orders. A few weeks later the three Carnival ships out of Galveston sailed closer to Florida to begin the crew repatriation efforts.
 Carnival Dream In Galveston At Night |  Carnival Dream In Galveston At Night |
 Carnival Dream In Galveston At Night |  Carnival Dream In Galveston At Night |
Back In Galveston!
On May 2, 2021 the Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze came back to Galveston in preparation of the cruise restart. I traveled to Galveston to see the ships arrive in Galveston. The Carnival Breeze came in first and the Carnival Vista followed behind very shortly.
Click Here For My Post From This Day
On May 2, 2021 the Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze came back to Galveston in preparation of the cruise restart. I traveled to Galveston to see the ships arrive in Galveston. The Carnival Breeze came in first and the Carnival Vista followed behind very shortly.
Click Here For My Post From This Day
Two years after the initial restart have gone by fast!