Local new stations in Mobile are reporting on a possible return of one cruise line to the now vacant Alabama Cruise Terminal in Mobile, Alabama. The cruise terminal has been without a cruise ship since Carnival Cruise Line’s pulled the then named, Elation, from the city in October 2011. No cruise ship has sailed either year round or seasonally from Mobile since. Now, if reports are correct, the tide could be turning.
Local tourism officials have announced that one, unnamed cruise line has proposed offering a handful of departures from Mobile. Recently, Mobile city council sent a proposal to Carnival detailing a potential return to the former homeport. As of today, Carnival has been silent on matter and it doesn’t look as if Carnival is interested. Earlier this year, Mobile’s outgoing Mayor, Sam Jones, discussed that the city had also sent proposals to Royal Caribbean and Norwegian on bringing a ship to Mobile.
Local tourism officials have claimed that they feel optimistic about the potential relationship between Mobile and the unnamed cruise line and that a decision on the matter could be made before the end of 2013.
Due to the port’s size, Mobile can only accommodate a handful of cruise ships from the cruise lines. It seems that the only cruise lines that would have a ship sized and tailored for the Mobile market would be Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Carnival. It is most likely a safe bet that no other cruise line outside of the previously mentioned three would consider homeporting in Mobile.
What do you think will be the future relationship between Mobile and the cruise lines? Feel free to share your thoughts below.
3 replies on “Could A Cruise Line Be Preparing To Dock In Mobile?”
I don’t see it happening. Most major lines are building larger ships. No ship larger than a Fantasy class Carnival ship would be able to port there. Carnival pulled the Elation because the Port of Mobile was unable to fill it. RCL and Norwegian cost more than Carnival so unless they enhance the port to attract a certain class of cruiser, it ain’t happening.
I would be leaving on a cruise today if NCL had a ship sailing out of Mobile.
We PROMISE we will book a cruise IF a ship comes to Mobile. EVEN if it is RCCL and we really dislike RCCL. But we would even give them another chance IF they do a minimum of 7 days out of Mobile. And we would really enjoy the chance to do a NCL cruise – especially out of Mobile!
PLEASE somebody send a ship to MOBILE!!!!
How about the Century from Celebrity that is a small ship?