History of Carnival Cruise Line in Timeline

Carnival Cruise Line, headquartered in Doral, Florida, is a prominent international cruise company. As a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc, it holds the top spot among the largest cruise lines globally, based on annual passenger volume. The company's signature logo, a whale's tail-shaped funnel adorned with red, white, and blue, has become a recognizable symbol on its ships.

1972: Carnival's First Ship, Mardi Gras

Carnival Cruise Line initiated its operations from Miami in 1972 with the Mardi Gras, a former transatlantic liner acquired from Canadian Pacific Line. The company adopted a modified version of the ship's green livery, changing it to the red, white, and blue seen today.

1972: Carnival Cruise Line Founded

Ted Arison established Carnival Cruise Line in 1972, financing the venture through a partnership with Meshulam Riklis's American International Travel Service (AITS).

1974: Arison Takes Full Ownership of Carnival

In 1974, due to regulatory challenges, Riklis sold AITS's stake in Carnival Cruise Line to Arison for $1, contingent on Arison assuming the company's debts. This allowed Arison to form new partnerships and target a younger demographic.

1975: Acquisition of the Carnivale

In 1975, Carnival expanded its fleet by purchasing another former Canadian Pacific Line ship and renaming it Carnivale.

1978: Addition of TSS Festivale to the Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line acquired its third ship, the TSS Festivale, a former ocean liner, in 1978. This acquisition, driven by the success of their existing fleet, marked a turning point as Carnival decided to invest in new ships to compete with rivals in Miami.

1982: Introduction of the Tropicale

Carnival launched its first purpose-built ship, the Tropicale, in 1982. Designed by Joe Farcus, the ship introduced the now-iconic winged funnel that has become a signature feature of Carnival's fleet.

1984: New Marketing Campaign with Kathie Lee Gifford

In 1984, Carnival Cruise Line launched a new television marketing campaign featuring Kathie Lee Gifford, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership with the entertainer.

1985: Launch of the Carnival Holiday

Following the Tropicale's success and growing competition, Carnival ordered the Holiday in 1985, marking the start of a new phase of fleet expansion.

1986: Debut of the Carnival Jubilee

In 1986, Carnival Cruise Line continued its expansion with the introduction of the Jubilee, a new ship following the Holiday.

1987: Introduction of the Carnival Celebration

Carnival Cruise Line welcomed the Celebration to its fleet in 1987, marking the third ship added to the fleet in quick succession after the Holiday and Jubilee.

1990: Debut of the Fantasy Class

The year 1990 saw the introduction of Carnival's Fantasy class, starting with the Fantasy, which boasted one of the largest atriums at sea at the time.

1993: Retirement of Older Ships

Carnival Cruise Line began phasing out its older ships in 1993, selling its first vessel, the Mardi Gras, after 21 years of service. The Carnivale was also sold the same year to Fiesta Marina Cruises, a new subsidiary of Carnival.

1996: Introduction of the Destiny Class

Carnival unveiled the Destiny class in 1996 with the Carnival Destiny. At 101,000 GT, it became the world's largest passenger ship and the first to surpass 100,000 tons. The Destiny-class design influenced ships until the Carnival Splendor in 2008.

1998: Carnival Panorama: First New Ship on West Coast Since Paradise

In 1998, the Carnival Paradise, originally homeported in Long Beach, California, was the last new ship to be stationed on the West Coast before the arrival of the Carnival Panorama.

1998: Completion of the Fantasy Class with the Paradise

The eighth and final ship in the Fantasy class, the Paradise, joined the Carnival fleet in 1998. Joe Farcus, who had designed previous Carnival ships, continued as the lead designer for the entire class.

1998: Innovation with the Elation and Paradise

The seventh ship in the Fantasy class, the Elation, made history in 1998 as the first cruise ship to feature azipod propulsion, a technology now widely used in modern cruise ships. That same year, the Paradise debuted as the first entirely non-smoking cruise ship.

September 19, 1999: Tropicale Engulged in Fire, Struck by Tropical Storm

On September 19, 1999, the Carnival cruise ship Tropicale experienced a fire in its engine room while sailing from Cozumel to Tampa. The situation worsened when Tropical Storm Harvey struck the disabled ship, leaving it adrift for two days without propulsion.

2001: Transfer of the Tropicale

In 2001, Carnival Cruise Line transferred its first new build, the Tropicale, constructed in 1982, to Costa Cruises. This marked the beginning of a trend that continued throughout the decade, as the company sold or transferred its other ships built in the 1980s to other lines.

2001: Robert H. Dickinson on BBC's "Back To The Floor"

Robert H. Dickinson, then President and CTC of Carnival Cruise Line, participated in a BBC documentary called "Back To The Floor" in 2001. In the program, he worked alongside crew members on the Imagination in the Caribbean, shadowing a Romanian cleaner named Alina.

2001: Debut of the Spirit Class

The Panamax-size Spirit class premiered in 2001 with the Carnival Spirit, the first of its four-ship class in the Carnival fleet.

October 2002: Acquisition of P&O Princess Cruises

Carnival Corporation acquired P&O Princess Cruises in October 2002 for 3.5 billion euros, expanding its portfolio and market presence.

2004: Transfer of the Jubilee

Carnival Cruise Line continued to transfer its older ships in 2004 with the Jubilee, which was moved to another fleet, continuing the trend that began in 2001.

2004: Pinnacle Project and Next Generation

In 2004, Carnival Corporation launched the Pinnacle Project, a development program aimed at creating a 200,000 GT prototype for Carnival Cruise Line, which would have been the world's largest at the time. Although canceled, this project led to the development of the "Next Generation" project.

2008: Transfer of the Celebration

The Celebration, another of Carnival's ships built in the 1980s, was transferred to a different fleet in 2008, as part of the company's ongoing strategy.

2008: Retirement of the Festivale

The year 2008 saw the retirement of the Festivale, the last of Carnival's original fleet of second-hand ships, marking the end of an era for the company.

September 2009: Carnival Dream Sets Sail

Carnival Cruise Line launched its largest ship at the time, the Carnival Dream, a new 128,000 GT vessel, which began its maiden voyage in September 2009.

December 1, 2009: Order Placed for Third Dream-Class Ship

Carnival announced an order for a third Dream-class vessel on December 1, 2009, demonstrating its commitment to expanding and modernizing its fleet.

December 5, 2009: Carnival Dream Begins Caribbean Cruises

After completing several voyages in the Mediterranean, the Carnival Dream commenced weekly Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral on December 5, 2009.

2009: Transfer of the Holiday

In 2009, Carnival Cruise Line continued the transfer of its older ships, with the Holiday moving to a different fleet, following the pattern established earlier in the decade.

May 10, 2010: Carnival Breeze Named

Carnival Cruise Line announced the name of its new Dream-class vessel, the Carnival Breeze, on May 10, 2010, set to debut in 2012.

November 8, 2010: Carnival Splendor Adrift After Generator Fire

On November 8, 2010, the Carnival Splendor suffered a fire in its generator room, causing a complete loss of power. The ship was left adrift off the coast of Mexico until it could be towed to San Diego for repairs.

May 1, 2011: Debut of Carnival Magic

The Carnival Magic, a sister ship to the Dream, joined the fleet on May 1, 2011, expanding the company's offerings and capacity.

May 2012: Crew Members Dismissed After Protesting Low Wages

In May 2012, Carnival Cruise Line dismissed 150 crew members from India who were protesting against low wages, drawing criticism for its handling of labor issues.

June 2012: Third Dream-Class Ship Enters Service

The third ship in Carnival's Dream-class entered service in June 2012, homeported in Galveston, Texas, further expanding the company's presence in the Caribbean.

October 26, 2012: New Ship Order Announced

Carnival announced an order for a new 133,500 GT ship on October 26, 2012, marking the largest ship built by Fincantieri for the company.

February 10, 2013: Carnival Triumph's "Poop Cruise" Ordeal

On February 10, 2013, the Carnival Triumph, carrying over 3,000 passengers, endured a harrowing experience after an engine room fire left it stranded in the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting power outage caused sewage backups, turning the ship into an unpleasant and unsanitary environment.

March 14, 2013: Carnival Dream's Generator Failure Disrupts Cruise

On March 14, 2013, the Carnival Dream encountered a major setback when it experienced a critical generator failure while docked in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. The malfunction forced Carnival to cancel the remaining voyage and fly passengers back to Florida.

March 15, 2013: Carnival Legend Suffers Propulsion Problem

On March 15, 2013, the Carnival Legend encountered a mechanical issue with one of its propulsion pods while at sea. The malfunction forced the cruise line to cancel scheduled stops in Belize and Grand Cayman, and the ship had to return to Tampa, Florida, at a reduced speed.

October 2013: Carnival Revokes Retirement Benefits

In October 2013, Carnival Cruise Line sparked controversy by revoking retirement benefits for its cruise staff, further fueling concerns over labor practices.

December 27, 2015: Electrician Fatally Crushed in Elevator Accident on Carnival Ecstasy

On December 27, 2015, a tragic accident occurred on the Carnival Ecstasy, resulting in the death of an electrician who was working on an elevator. The incident garnered significant media attention after a video of the event was shared online.

May 1, 2016: Carnival Vista's Maiden Voyage

The Carnival Vista, a new ship built by Fincantieri, embarked on its inaugural journey on May 1, 2016, sailing from Trieste, Italy.

January 2017: Michael Thamm Appointed CEO of Carnival Asia

Michael Thamm was appointed CEO of Carnival Asia in January 2017, tasked with overseeing the company's operations in China and the surrounding region.

April 2017: Carnival Corporation Found Guilty of Illegal Dumping

In April 2017, Carnival Corporation and its Princess Cruises subsidiary were found guilty of illegally dumping oil into the ocean and attempting to cover it up, resulting in a $40 million fine and probation.

April 2017: Carnival Corporation Found Guilty of Environmental Violations

In April 2017, Carnival Corporation was found guilty of environmental violations related to illegal dumping and cover-up attempts, leading to probation and a hefty fine. This marked the beginning of a series of probation violations that would plague the company.

February 2018: Port Development Project in Ensenada, Mexico Unveiled

In February 2018, Carnival announced a significant port development project located in Ensenada, Mexico.

February 2018: Carnival Legend Plagued by Brawls, Staff Criticized

In February 2018, the Carnival Legend was marred by a series of brawls that broke out among passengers. The ship's staff faced criticism for their handling of the situation, with accusations of inadequate response and excessive force used against passengers.

April 2, 2018: Carnival Horizon's Inaugural Voyage

Carnival Horizon, a sister ship to Carnival Vista, commenced her maiden voyage on April 2, 2018, departing from Barcelona, Spain.

April 2018: Carnival Corporation Continues to Violate Probation

Throughout April 2018, Carnival Corporation continued to engage in activities that violated its probation terms, racking up hundreds of incidents that would later lead to further legal trouble and scrutiny.

May 3, 2018: Pipe Burst Floods Staterooms on Carnival Dream

On May 3, 2018, a pipe burst in the fire suppression system of the Carnival Dream, causing flooding in 50 staterooms. The incident highlighted potential maintenance issues and raised concerns about passenger safety.

May 23, 2018: Carnival Horizon Christened by Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah, the godmother of Carnival Horizon, officially christened the ship on May 23, 2018.

November 2018: Carnival Sunshine Experiences Technical Issue, Briefly Lists

In November 2018, the Carnival Sunshine experienced a technical malfunction that caused the ship to list, or tilt, for approximately one minute. The incident, while brief, raised concerns about the vessel's stability and potential safety risks.

December 29, 2018: Carnival Dream Lifeboat Breaks Loose, Deemed a Loss

On December 29, 2018, lifeboat number 28 on the Carnival Dream detached from the ship due to unknown causes, sustaining significant damage. Fortunately, the lifeboat was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported. Carnival made the decision to abandon the damaged lifeboat at sea and purchase a replacement.

April 2019: Carnival Corporation Accused of Violating Probation

In April 2019, Carnival Corporation faced allegations of violating its probation terms with over 800 environmental violation incidents reported from April 2017 to April 2018. A federal judge threatened to impose significant fines and potential port bans.

June 3, 2019: Carnival Agrees to $20 Million Fine for Environmental Violations

On June 3, 2019, Carnival Corporation agreed to pay a $20 million fine after admitting to violating probation rules related to environmental violations. Chairman Micky Arison signed the proposed settlement documents.

June 2019: Carnival and Princess Cruises Fined for Plastic Dumping

In June 2019, Carnival Corporation and its subsidiary, Princess Cruises, were penalized with a $20 million fine for their involvement in dumping plastic waste into the ocean, adding to their growing list of environmental violations.

June 2019: Carnival Begins Construction on First Terminal in Japan

In June 2019, Carnival Cruise Line began construction on their first terminal in Japan, located in the port city of Sasebo. The terminal, named Uragashira Cruise Terminal, was planned to be opened by late July 2020.

June 2019: Judge Approves $20 Million Fine, Probation Continues

In early June 2019, a Senior US District Judge approved the $20 million fine against Carnival Corporation for violating probation terms related to environmental violations. The judge extended the probation period for three years.

September 20, 2019: Former Carnival Fantasy Collides with Panama Canal Lock

On September 20, 2019, the former Carnival Fantasy, while being assisted through the Panama Canal, collided with the wall of a lock, causing damage to the ship's aft superstructure. The incident occurred as the water levels within the lock were being lowered. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

October 9, 2019: Passenger Falls From Railing on Carnival Valor

On October 9, 2019, a 23-year-old passenger aboard the Carnival Valor fell from a railing where he was sitting, landing on a lower deck. The incident occurred while the ship was sailing near Louisiana. The passenger sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in New Orleans.

December 11, 2019: Carnival Panorama Becomes Flagship

The Carnival Panorama, another sister ship to Carnival Vista, officially joined the fleet and became the cruise line's flagship on December 11, 2019.

December 20, 2019: Carnival Glory and Carnival Legend Collide in Cozumel

On December 20, 2019, two Carnival cruise ships, the Carnival Glory and Carnival Legend, collided while in the port of Cozumel, Mexico. The collision resulted in damage to the stern superstructure of the Carnival Glory, and one person sustained minor injuries.

2019: Data Security Breaches at Carnival

From 2019 to 2021, Carnival Cruise Line experienced four security breaches that resulted in the exposure of a significant quantity of consumer data.

2019: Collision in Cozumel

In 2019, a Carnival cruise ship collided with the Carnival Legend, which was already docked in Cozumel, Mexico.

March 2020: Carnival Cancels All Cruises Due to Pandemic

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally, Carnival made the difficult decision to cancel all cruise operations.

April 2020: Carnival Uses 12 Ships to Repatriate Crew Members

In April 2020, amidst the global pandemic, Carnival organized a major repatriation effort, utilizing 12 ships to return crew members to their home countries. Eighteen Carnival ships assembled in the Bahamas for this operation, with different ships designated for various regions, including Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America, East Asia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

July 2020: Uragashira Cruise Terminal Slated to Open

Local officials hoped that the new Uragashira Cruise Terminal in Sasebo, Japan would be open by late July 2020.

July 31, 2020: Carnival Reports Cash Reserves and Ship Sales

As of July 31, 2020, Carnival Corporation & plc reported having $7.9 billion in "cash and cash equivalents" available, which was estimated to sustain operations for approximately a year without any ships sailing. The company also confirmed the sale of Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration for scrapping and the long-term layup of Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination.

September 6, 2020: Costa Cruises Resumes Sailings in Italy with Strict Protocols

Costa Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc, resumed sailing operations in Italy on September 6, 2020, initially with two ships, Costa Deliziosa and Costa Diadema. To ensure safety, the cruise line implemented stringent health protocols and initially only allowed passengers residing in Italy.

September 2020: Carnival Corporation Announces Fleet Reduction and Financial Losses

In September 2020, Carnival Corporation & plc, the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, announced plans to reduce its fleet by 18 ships (12%) in response to the pandemic's impact. Several ships, including Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration, had already been sold for scrap. Additionally, the company announced the sale of Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination, along with delays in the delivery of new ships. The corporation reported a significant adjusted net loss of US$1.7 billion for the third quarter.

September 2020: Cruise Lines International Association Extends Voluntary Suspension

In early August, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which includes Carnival Cruise Line, announced an extension of its voluntary suspension of cruise operations from U.S. ports until October 31, 2020. This decision aimed to prioritize the health and safety of passengers and crew during the ongoing pandemic.

September 16, 2020: Carnival Extends Suspension of Four Ships' Sailings

On September 16, 2020, Carnival Cruise Line made the decision to extend the suspension of sailings for four of its ships. This extension went beyond the initial October 31 deadline and was intended to allow for necessary dry-dock enhancements.

September 27, 2020: Costa Cruises Opens Sailings to More European Citizens

By September 27, 2020, Costa Cruises expanded its passenger eligibility criteria. The cruise line announced that cruises would be available to all European citizens residing in countries listed in the latest decree from the Prime Minister of Italy. This decision reflected the evolving travel restrictions and health guidelines during that period.

October 31, 2020: CDC Extends No-Sail Order for Cruises

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its no-sail order, prohibiting cruises in the U.S. until at least October 31, 2020.

November 30, 2020: Carnival Corporation's Financial Statement Shows Additional Ship Sale

Carnival Corporation & plc released its fourth-quarter financial statement for the period ending November 30, 2020, on January 11, 2021. The statement revealed the company's decision to sell one additional ship, bringing the total number of ships to be sold to 19, one more than previously announced.

2020: Carnival Sells Multiple Ships for Scrap Due to Pandemic

In 2020, due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carnival made the decision to sell several ships for scrap, including Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Imagination, and Carnival Inspiration. Carnival Fascination was initially sold to another cruise line, but was ultimately resold for scrapping a year later.

January 11, 2021: Carnival Corporation Reports Financial Results and Strong Cash Position

On January 11, 2021, Carnival Corporation & plc released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020. Despite reporting a significant adjusted net loss of $1.9 billion during the quarter, the company highlighted its strong cash position of US$9.5 billion. This substantial cash reserve provided a financial cushion for navigating the challenging business environment.

June 2021: Carnival Announces New Ship Transfers and Updates

In June 2021, Carnival announced that Costa Magica would be transferred from Costa Cruises to the Carnival fleet, receiving a new name and livery update. Additionally, an Excel-class ship being built for AIDA Cruises would also be transferred to Carnival, later revealed to be named Carnival Jubilee.

June 2021: Carnival Stock Drops After Positive COVID-19 Cases on Cruises

In June 2021, Carnival's stock experienced a 6% decline following reports of positive COVID-19 cases among passengers on some of the first cruises that resumed operations in 2021. This news raised concerns about the potential impact of the virus on the cruise industry's recovery.

July 31, 2021: Mardi Gras Enters Service

On July 31, 2021, the highly anticipated Mardi Gras ship finally entered service after facing numerous delays. The ship commenced year-round sailings from Port Canaveral.

2021: Data Security Breaches at Carnival

From 2019 to 2021, Carnival Cruise Line experienced four security breaches that resulted in the exposure of a significant quantity of consumer data.

2021: Carnival Cruise Line Market Share and Fleet

In 2021, Carnival Cruise Line held a 7.6% share of cruise industry revenue and 18.2% of passengers. Its fleet, the largest in the Carnival group, comprised 24 vessels, with 17 sailing under the Panama flag and seven under the Bahamas flag.

2021: Carnival Corporation Reports Low Quarterly Revenues

Throughout 2021, Carnival Corporation & plc experienced a prolonged period of significantly reduced quarterly revenues. For four consecutive fiscal quarters, the company's revenues remained at $50 million or less, plummeting to as low as $26 million in the first quarter. This starkly contrasted with the over $4.7 billion in revenue generated in previous quarters.

February 16, 2022: Woman Jumps from Carnival Valor

On February 16, 2022, a tragic incident unfolded on the Carnival Valor when a 32-year-old woman, after being detained by ship security, jumped from the tenth deck of the vessel. Despite a 14-hour search effort by the United States Coast Guard, the search was eventually suspended.

May 26, 2022: Carnival Freedom Experiences Funnel Fire

On May 26, 2022, the Carnival Freedom, while docked in Grand Turk, experienced a fire within its funnel. Fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no reported injuries.

June 2022: Carnival Acquires Costa Luminosa, Changes Plans for Costa Magica

In June 2022, Carnival announced that Costa Luminosa would be joining its fleet as Carnival Luminosa, replacing the initial plan to transfer Costa Magica, which would remain with Costa Cruises.

June 2022: Carnival to Introduce "Fun Italian Style" Concept with Costa Ships

In June 2022, Carnival announced the launch of a new concept called "Fun Italian Style." As part of this initiative, Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze would join the Carnival fleet while maintaining their Italian design elements and Costa funnels.

June 2022: Carnival Fined for Cybersecurity Violations

In June 2022, The New York Department of Financial Services imposed a $5 million penalty against Carnival Cruise Line due to cybersecurity violations. The department cited "significant" violations, including four security breaches from 2019 to 2021 that exposed a substantial volume of customer data. Carnival's failure to implement two-factor authentication and its omission to report one of the data breaches contributed to the department's decision.

June 28, 2022: Brawl Erupts on Carnival Magic, NYPD Responds

On June 28, 2022, a brawl broke out on the Carnival Magic at approximately 5:30 am. Upon the ship's arrival at Pier 90 in Manhattan, the New York Police Department (NYPD) was present to address the situation.

October 2022: Carnival Retires Carnival Ecstasy

Carnival Ecstasy was retired from the Carnival fleet in October 2022 after the earlier announcement of its retirement.

October 21, 2022: Carnival Unveils Fun Italian Style Concept and Ship Renderings

On October 21, 2022, Carnival released renderings of the Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze, revealing their transformations for the new "Fun Italian Style" concept. The ships, renamed Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze, would retain their Italian designs and Costa funnels but feature a unique blue livery with a yellow stripe.

October 23, 2022: Carnival Eases COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Vaccinated Passengers

Effective October 23, 2022, Carnival Cruise Line updated its COVID-19 protocols, easing testing requirements for vaccinated passengers. Passengers who were fully vaccinated and boosted were no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding. This policy change reflected the cruise line's efforts to adapt to evolving health guidelines and provide a more convenient travel experience for vaccinated guests.

November 6, 2022: Carnival Luminosa Begins Cruises from Brisbane

On November 6, 2022, the Carnival Luminosa started its cruise operations from Brisbane, Australia. The ship was intended to sail Alaskan cruises from Seattle during the summer and return to Australia for the winter seasons.

December 2022: Carnival Jubilee Debut Delayed to December 2023

In December 2022, Carnival announced a delay in the debut of Carnival Jubilee from October 2023 to December 2023 due to supply chain problems at the Meyer Werft shipyard.

May 29, 2023: Carnival Venezia Debuts in Barcelona

On May 29, 2023, the Carnival Venezia made its highly anticipated debut in Barcelona, Spain, in preparation for its inaugural season sailing from Manhattan, New York.

October 2023: Carnival Jubilee Originally Scheduled to Debut

Carnival Jubilee was initially planned to make its debut in October 2023.

December 2023: Carnival Cruise Line Fleet Update

As of December 2023, Carnival Cruise Line's fleet consisted of 26 ships, with one more ship scheduled to join in 2024 as a result of a joint venture with Costa.