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Carnival's Mardi Gras delayed to 2021, changes for Radiance, Breeze, Magic

PHOTO: MEYER TURKU CRUISE Jan Meyer & Ben Clement with Mardi Gras.jpg
Pictured at Mardi Gras' float-out in January are yard CEO Jan Meyer, left, and Carnival Cruise Line SVP Ben Clemenrt
Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras, the first LNG-powered cruise ship for North America, is now planned to enter service from Port Canaveral in February instead of this November, and schedules for Carnival Radiance, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Magic were revised.

Mardi Gras is now expected to debut Feb. 6 in Central Florida. Sailings from Nov. 14 to Jan. 30 have been canceled.

Carnival Radiance

Carnival Victory's $200m drydock transformation into Carnival Radiance at Navantia in Cadiz, Spain, was suspended in the spring when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a nationwide lockdown. Carnival Cruise Line said it is now evaluating shipyard options to complete the transformation, but Radiance is likely not going to be completed until the spring.

Carnival Breeze to Canaveral

As a result of this delay, Carnival Breeze will be redeployed from Port Everglades to Port Canaveral and will assume the itineraries for Carnival Radiance from Nov. 8 to April 24. This means 18 Carnival Breeze sailings from Fort Lauderdale scheduled to operate from Nov. 7 to March 7 are canceled.

Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic's trans-Atlantic and European itineraries from March 13 to May 3 have also been canceled. Seven sailings previously scheduled for Carnival Breeze from Port Everglades from March 13 to April 24 will move to Miami, and passengers who were booked on Breeze will sail a similar itinerary, but on Carnival Magic from PortMiami.

'We continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global commerce, public health and our cruise operations. In addition to our current pause in service, there have been many other unintended consequences, including shipyard, drydock and ship delivery delays, and related changes to our deployment plans for our fleet,' Carnival President Christine Duffy said. 'While we had hoped to make up construction time on Mardi Gras over the summer, it's clear we will need extra time to complete this magnificent ship. We share our guests' disappointment and appreciate their patience as we work through this unprecedented time in our business and the lives of so many people.'

Passengers and travel advisors are being notified of these changes today.