Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson has described luring Carnival Cruise Lines back to Alabama’s Port City as being akin to winning the Super Bowl, but he says he’d be even happier if he could get Cuba on the itinerary of trips leaving from south Alabama.
Stimpson made the revelation during a reception Nov. 9 to celebrate the Carnival Fantasy’s first departure from Mobile on a schedule of four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. Carnival President Christine Duffy welcomed elected officials, media, travel agents and others to discuss the company’s return to Mobile.
The 2, 056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will regularly sail to the Mexican ports of Cozumel and Progreso and was recently refitted to add new dining options such as Guy’s Burger Joint, a complimentary poolside dining venue serving hand-crafted burgers and fries created by the popular chef and restaurateur Guy Fieri.
As for stops in Cuba, Stimpson said Carnival has the best shot at making it happen, since the cruise line already has a deal for limited, specialized cruises to the formerly forbidden island.
Text by Dave Helms
