Carnival Unveils 2027-28 Itineraries With Solar Eclipse Cruise Highlight

Carnival Cruise Line has announced its 2027-28 itineraries, unveiling a diverse lineup of Caribbean and European voyages, including a special solar eclipse sailing aboard Carnival Miracle. This eagerly anticipated season highlights the cruise line's focus on offering an expanded variety of travel experiences across its U.S. homeports and international destinations.

Key Itineraries for Carnival Miracle

Beginning March 29, 2027, Carnival Miracle will homeport in Galveston, Texas, as part of Carnival's four-ship Texas deployment. The ship will offer a variety of Caribbean itineraries, including:

• Two four-day cruises to Cozumel, Mexico
• 10-day Eastern Caribbean voyage to Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove
• 10-day Western Caribbean sailings to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; Belize; Cozumel; and Isla Tropicale
• A special 10-day Panama Canal cruise with stops in Limón, Costa Rica; Colón (Panama Canal), Panama; Roatán, Honduras; and Cozumel

Following its Caribbean schedule, the ship will launch its European season on May 6 with a 14-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic voyage from Galveston to Lisbon, Portugal. Calls will include Bermuda, Funchal, and Ponta Delgada, before continuing to Dover, England, via a nine-day itinerary with stops in destinations such as Bilbao and Vigo, Spain; Leixões, Portugal; Le Havre, France; and Zeebrugge, Belgium.

Solar Eclipse Cruise: An Astronomical Highlight

The summer European program features the much-anticipated solar eclipse cruise aboard Carnival Miracle. President Christine Duffy emphasized the unique appeal of witnessing the total solar eclipse at sea, stating, “Seeing it from Carnival Miracle will definitely be the most fun way to do so.”

Departing Dover on July 29, 2027, this 11-day Carnival Journeys itinerary includes stops in Guernsey, Lisbon, Porto, La Coruña, Le Havre, Zeebrugge, and a dedicated day at sea near the Strait of Gibraltar for optimal viewing of the August 2 solar eclipse, which is projected to be one of the longest in recent decades.

Expanded European Itineraries

From May to September 2027, Carnival Miracle will offer diverse eight- to 12-day itineraries from Dover, exploring the British Isles, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and Baltic regions. Following the UK season, the ship will homeport in Civitavecchia (Rome) starting September 29, 2027, with Mediterranean cruises visiting destinations such as the Greek Isles, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.

Continued Florida Operations: Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation

The Fantasy-class vessels Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation will continue their established itineraries from Florida, providing accessible Caribbean getaways:

• Carnival Paradise will sail from Tampa, offering four- to six-day Caribbean traveling to popular ports like Nassau, Cozumel, Celebration Key, and Half Moon Cay.
• Carnival Elation will operate from Jacksonville, featuring four- and five-day itineraries with stops in similar destinations, including RelaxAway, Isla Tropicale, and Celebration Key.

Mixed Passenger Reactions

The deployment announcement has sparked excitement, particularly for the solar eclipse cruise and expanded European offerings. However, some passengers expressed concerns about limited itinerary innovations from longstanding U.S. homeports like Jacksonville and Tampa. Feedback included calls for more varied destinations, such as San Juan departures and Norway-focused cruises.

Christine Duffy addressed these perspectives, stating, “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.” Carnival’s current deployment strategy demonstrates a commitment to providing options tailored to a wide range of traveler interests.

Booking Trends and Market Signals

Bookings for the 2027-28 season are now open, with significant demand anticipated for the solar eclipse cruise. Carnival reported that its 2026 eclipse sailing aboard Carnival Legend sold out quickly, highlighting high interest in astronomical-themed itineraries. Passengers are encouraged to book early to secure their desired accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Carnival Miracle's solar eclipse itinerary?

The solar eclipse cruise departs Dover on July 29, 2027. This 11-day Carnival Journeys itinerary includes stops in Guernsey, Lisbon, Porto, La Coruña, Le Havre, and Zeebrugge, with a day at sea on August 2 for viewing the total solar eclipse near the Strait of Gibraltar.

What ports will Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation serve?

Carnival Paradise will continue sailing four- to six-day Caribbean cruises from Tampa to destinations like Nassau, Cozumel, Celebration Key, and Half Moon Cay. Carnival Elation will operate similar itineraries from Jacksonville.

What is the schedule for Carnival Miracle in 2027?

Carnival Miracle will start in Galveston on March 29, 2027, offering Caribbean cruises before transatlantic and European voyages. Following its summer season in Dover, the ship will reposition to Rome in September for Mediterranean sailings.

Why is the solar eclipse cruise considered unique?

The August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse is forecast to be one of the longest in decades. Cruising aboard Carnival Miracle ensures passengers can witness this phenomenon at sea with optimal viewing conditions in the Strait of Gibraltar, alongside stops at renowned European ports.

How is demand looking for the eclipse cruise?

High demand is expected due to the popularity of past celestial-event cruises. Carnival Legend's 2026 eclipse sailing sold out quickly, suggesting strong interest among travelers for similar themed voyages.