A company that brands it cruise ships as "the Fun Ships" can't let a major milestone pass without creating a major event.
For its upcoming 55th birthday, Carnival Cruise Line will hold an unprecedented event at sea. You can assume there will be hats, noisemakers, singing, and maybe even goodie bags, but the cruise line has planned much more than a typical birthday party.
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"Carnival Cruise Line will mark its 55th birthday in 2027 by adding some extra fun to 11 cruises taking part in three celebratory ship meetups at sea. In the spirit of creating fun vacation memories with family and friends, the unique birthday meetup events will bring ships and their guests together near exclusive destinations Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay," the cruise line's Brand Ambassador John Heald shared on his Facebook page.
The 55th birthday cruises include a variety of itineraries that visit destinations in The Bahamas and Caribbean, ranging from three to eight days. During each of the three meetup events, several Carnival ships will simultaneously host Lido deck birthday celebrations.
One ship, Carnival Legend, will take part in two of the three meetups. Adding to the fun, guests can also expect a birthday-themed specialty cocktail, special birthday cakes at restaurants, a Lido dessert buffet extravaganza and lively party games and trivia.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival shares birthday meetup dates
The meetup events take place on the following dates in 2027 during the sailings listed below:
- March 9, 2027 Meetup: Four Ships Celebrate Near Celebration Key
- From Mobile: Carnival Spirit will meet during an eight-day cruise that begins March 6.
- From Jacksonville: Carnival Elation will sail on a five-day cruise that starts March 6.
- From Tampa: Carnival Legend will sail a six-day cruise beginning March 7.
- From Port Canaveral:
- Carnival Freedom will sail a five-day cruise starting March 8.
- March 10, 2027 Meetup: Three Ships Celebrate Near RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
- From Galveston: Carnival Jubilee will sail an eight-day voyage that departs March 6.
- From Tampa: Carnival Legend will sail a six-day itinerary departing March 7.
- From Baltimore: Carnival Pride will sail a seven-day cruise departing March 7.
- March 13, 2027 Meetup: Five Ships Celebrate Near Celebration Key
- From Miami: Carnival Celebration will sail a seven-day cruise departing March 7.
- Carnival Sunrise will sail a four-day cruise starting March 11
- Carnival Conquest will sail a three-day cruise beginning March 12.
- From Port Canaveral: Carnival Vista will be on an eight-day journey that departs March 6
- Carnival Glory will be sailing a three-day cruise that departs March 12.
Carnival ship meetups are rare
It's not that common for cruise lines to bring their ships together at sea because doing so is complicated. The ships have to be maneuvered to be close to each other but not too close.
Carnival has reserved ship meetups for special occasions, and some of Heald's followers are excited about the event.
"We were on the Glory for the 50th birthday, and it was so awesome to see the meet-up just south of Cozumel! Yes, some ships didn't have things going on them but Glory had EVERYTHING. From the swag and souvenirs to the meals and everything else," Matt Savage shared. "Going to have to look into this one as well as the US birthday cruise next year!"
Some passengers who sailed on a similar "Sailabration" events for the cruise line's 50th birthday were underwhelmed.
"Reading through the comments, I see that we weren’t the only ones very unimpressed with the 50th 'Sailabration.' We paid way more for that cruise than a typical cruise, and other than the ship meet-up (which started way late while we stood in the scorching sun waiting for other ships to arrive), there was pretty much nothing special about it," posted Denise Wilson.
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That seemed to be a common theme in the comments.
"I was on the Mardi Gras for 50th, and it was so disappointing. I met up with seven other ships, all blew horns, we made circles, and that was it. Not booking this one," added Judy Bellavance.
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