For the first time in its 50-year history, Carnival Cruise Line has set sail from San Francisco.

The 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle departed from its newest homeport of San Francisco on April 28, expanding its West Coast service offerings and strengthening its position as the cruise line that embarks more guests from California than any other cruise operator.

“After years of anticipation, Carnival Cruise Line is thrilled to be sailing out of the Port of San Francisco for the first time,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re proud to join the San Francisco community, support the revival of the tourism economy, and open up exciting travel options to beautiful destinations for those living in and visiting the Bay Area.”

According to Elaine Forbes, the Port of San Francisco Executive Director, Carnival Miracle will set sail on 19 voyages from the port, “drawing thousands of passengers and crew to our city and helping to drive the economic recovery of the waterfront.” Each cruise call at the Port of San Francisco, she added, “supports the network of mostly small and family-owned business that have made Fisherman’s Wharf, the Embarcadero, and all corners of our seven and a half miles of property international renowned.”

Following an initial four-day Baja Mexico cruise from the Port of San Francisco, Carnival Miracle will begin the first of a series of 11 ten-day Alaska cruise vacations featuring stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, in Victoria, BC, Canada and scenic cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord (stops vary depending on cruise date).  Four- and five-day Baja Mexico cruises will also be offered, culminating with a 15-day Carnival Journeys cruise to Hawaii on Sept. 15, 2022.

Carnival has been a presence on the West Coast for nearly 40 years, first cruising from Los Angeles in 1979, and has operated a homeport in Long Beach for 20 years. Currently, Carnival Radiance and Carnival Panorama operate year-round from Long Beach and offer a range of itineraries to the Mexican Riviera.

In addition to establishing a San Francisco homeport, Carnival Cruise Line has expanded its West Coast presence with its largest Alaska deployment in history. Three ships will make 49 departures this season from San Francisco and Seattle to bucket list destinations. The May 2 Carnival Splendor Alaska sailing from Seattle will mark the return to service of Carnival’s full fleet of 23 ships, completing a successful restart of guest operations.

Source: Travelweek