By
Elizabeth Robinson |
Carnival Cruise Line has reopened its 146,000-square-foot Long Beach Cruise Terminal in California, US, which will be used as a homeport by the new Carnival Panorama when she debuts in 2019.
The reopening of the terminal coincided with the arrival of Carnival Splendor to Long Beach. The ship operates seven-day cruises to Mexico and longer voyages to Alaska and Hawaii.
“This project is many years in the making and Carnival’s Long Beach Cruise Terminal is one of the most visually striking and efficient facilities of its kind, providing a seamless embarkation for our guests, while making a tremendous economic impact on the Southern California region,” said Carlos Torres de Navarra, vice president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival will deploy its third Vista-class ship, the 3,960-passenger Carnival Panorama, on seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, California in 2019. Carnival Panorama will feature venues offering both indoor and outdoor experiences, including the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Library Bar and Bonsai Sushi. Other attractions will include SkyRide, WaterWorks aqua park, the SportSquare recreation area, the Havana guest enclave with tropics-inspired staterooms and its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, and Family Harbor, which features larger accommodation, and exclusive lounge, and Ocean Plaza, a dining and entertainment venue.
“This is a momentous occasion for both Carnival and the City of Long Beach – not only are we celebrating the grand reopening of this magnificent cruise terminal, but we’re also demonstrating our commitment to the West Coast with the deployment of the spectacular new Carnival Panorama in 2019 and the announcement of an exciting new port development project in Ensenada,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The West Coast is an important market with vast growth potential and these initiatives further demonstrate the confidence in our future success in Long Beach. We are very much looking forward to having Carnival Panorama homeported here beginning next year.”
During the reopening ceremony at Long Beach, Carnival officials revealed it would start a major port development project in Ensenada, Mexico, which is currently featured on the line’s three- and four-day cruises from Long Beach.
“This project will provide our guests with a truly unique shoreside experience while making our short cruises from Long Beach even more attractive to consumers,” said Torres de Navarra. “This port development project will make Ensenada one of the West Coast’s premier destinations.”