Carnival Cruise Line has announced new itineraries for the 2027-2028 season, including the Carnival Miracle sailing from Galveston, Texas. This ship will offer Caribbean voyages before heading to Europe for an extended season, featuring a special cruise designed for viewing a rare solar eclipse in August 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Carnival Miracle will depart from Galveston, Texas, starting March 29, 2027.
- The ship will offer various Caribbean itineraries before a transatlantic crossing.
- A highlight includes an 11-day European cruise for a solar eclipse viewing on August 2, 2027.
- Carnival is expanding its European presence with the Miracle.
- Other ships, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, will continue Florida departures.
Carnival Miracle's Galveston Departure
The Carnival Miracle, which has a capacity for 2,100 passengers, will begin its Galveston sailings on March 29, 2027. This marks its inclusion in Carnival's four-ship lineup operating from Texas. The ship will conduct a series of Caribbean voyages from its homeport before relocating to Europe in May 2027.
The addition of Carnival Miracle to the Galveston fleet provides more options for Texas travelers. This expansion reflects the growing demand for cruise travel from the Gulf Coast region. Galveston is a significant port for the cruise industry.
Quick Fact
The Carnival Miracle can accommodate 2,100 passengers and is part of Carnival's Spirit-class ships, known for their unique design and onboard amenities.
Caribbean Itineraries from Texas
From Galveston, the Carnival Miracle will offer diverse cruise options for travelers. These include shorter trips and longer, more extensive voyages across the Caribbean Sea. The itineraries are designed to appeal to different travel preferences.
Specific Caribbean sailings from Galveston include:
- Two four-day cruises to Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel is a popular destination known for its clear waters and diving opportunities.
- A 10-day Eastern Caribbean journey. This voyage will visit destinations such as Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. These stops offer a mix of Carnival's private destinations and popular port calls.
- A 10-day Western Caribbean itinerary. This route includes visits to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; and Isla Tropicale in Roatán, Honduras. Each location offers unique cultural and recreational experiences.
- A special 10-day Panama Canal cruise. This unique itinerary will stop in Limón, Costa Rica; Colón (Panama Canal), Panama; Roatán, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. This voyage offers a rare opportunity to experience the iconic Panama Canal.
These varied options allow passengers to choose the length and destinations that best suit their vacation plans. The inclusion of new private destinations like Celebration Key is part of Carnival's strategy to enhance the guest experience.
Transatlantic Crossing and European Season
Following its Caribbean operations, the Carnival Miracle will embark on a 14-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic cruise. This voyage begins on May 6, 2027, from Galveston and concludes in Lisbon, Portugal. This sailing marks the start of the ship's European season.
The transatlantic journey will feature several stops before reaching Europe. These include a visit to Bermuda, followed by calls at the Portuguese ports of Funchal and Ponta Delgada. These stops provide passengers with opportunities to explore diverse cultures and landscapes during the crossing.
Context on Carnival Journeys
Carnival Journeys cruises are longer, unique itineraries that offer extended time at sea and visits to less common ports. They often include special onboard activities and enrichment programs, catering to travelers seeking more immersive experiences.
Once in Europe, the Carnival Miracle will sail a nine-day cruise from Lisbon to Dover (London). This itinerary will include visits to various countries across Spain, Portugal, France, and Belgium. From May to September 2027, the ship will be homeported in Dover, England.
During its time in Dover, the Carnival Miracle will offer eight- to 12-day voyages. These cruises will explore destinations across the British Isles, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic region. This provides a wide range of European travel opportunities for passengers.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Cruise
A notable highlight of the Carnival Miracle's European season is an 11-day Carnival Journeys cruise departing on July 29, 2027. This specific sailing is designed to offer passengers a prime viewing experience for a rare solar eclipse on August 2, 2027.
The eclipse viewing cruise departs from Dover. Its itinerary includes visits to Guernsey; Lisbon and Leixões, Portugal; La Coruña, Spain; Le Havre, France; and Zeebrugge, Belgium. This route positions the ship in an optimal location for the celestial event.
"While there will be many ways to view the Aug. 2 solar eclipse, seeing it from Carnival Miracle will definitely be the most fun way to do so," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Along with the great summer 2027 season in Europe, the combination of our large and diverse fleet and roster of U.S. homeports allows us to bring more variety and adventure to the 2027/28 season."
This statement emphasizes Carnival's commitment to offering unique and memorable experiences to its guests. The solar eclipse cruise is a prime example of such specialized offerings.
Eclipse Data
The total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, will be visible across parts of Southern Europe and North Africa. The path of totality will span countries including Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, and the Maldives. The cruise aims to position itself in a favorable viewing area.
After the Dover season, the Carnival Miracle will reposition to Civitavecchia (Rome) on September 29, 2027. From Rome, it will offer a series of eight- and 10-day Mediterranean itineraries. These cruises will visit popular destinations in the Greek Isles, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, further expanding the European offerings.
Continued Florida Departures
In addition to the Carnival Miracle's new assignments, Carnival Cruise Line also confirmed continued itineraries for two other ships: Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation. These ships will maintain their homeports in Florida.
Carnival Paradise will continue sailing from Tampa, Florida. Carnival Elation will continue its operations from Jacksonville, Florida. Both are Fantasy-class ships, known for their classic cruise experience.
These Florida-based ships will offer four- to six-day cruises. Popular destinations on their itineraries include Nassau, The Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico; and Key West, Florida. Many of these sailings will also include stops at Carnival's exclusive destinations: Celebration Key, Isla Tropicale, and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
The ongoing deployment of these ships from Florida underscores Carnival's strong presence in the U.S. cruise market. It also highlights the company's strategy to provide a range of options from multiple convenient homeports.
Carnival's Private Destinations
Carnival has invested in developing private island and port experiences for its guests. Celebration Key, Isla Tropicale, and Half Moon Cay offer exclusive amenities, beaches, and activities, enhancing the overall cruise vacation. These destinations are designed to provide a tailored and high-quality experience for Carnival passengers.
The 2027-2028 itineraries represent Carnival Cruise Line's efforts to diversify its offerings. This includes expanding its presence in Europe and providing unique travel experiences, such as the solar eclipse viewing. The company aims to provide varied options for travelers from multiple U.S. homeports.
