Carnival Email Survey - Mobile, AL?

I got an email survey today which seemed to target whether or not I would sail out of Mobile, AL; and if so, why would I chose Mobile over New Orleans. Makes me wonder what wheels are turning at the Carnival offices. Anyone else?

Mobile has none of the attractions that New Orleans has, they have limited hotel rooms and not to mention New Orleans Mardi Gras and partying. only 2 hrs from Mobile.

I would sail out of Mobile over New Orleans (depending on ship and where it's going). For me, I don't really go to see NOLA anymore, just for my cruise, so the city is not a draw for me. That said, although the distance is not too far apart, there is less traffic congestion and the port is just easier to navigate in Mobile (though the port is easy enough in NOLA). That, and it's just a bit closer! I give a thumbs up for Mobile.

How many gulf coast departures going to the same western ports does Carnival need? Seems Mobile is overkill.

I really enjoyed sailing out of Mobile.

We had no trouble in the 6 times we sailed from Mobile finding a hotel room.

Mobile has its own Mardi Gras that has been running longer than the one in New Orleans.

It also has the USS Alabama to tour and Bellingrath Gardens and I have always wanted to stay at the Battle House Hotel.

And a plus for us is that we can leave really early on the day of a cruise and get there in time.

It is nicer to go the day before, but sometimes with work it is not possible.

If Carnival is really thinking of going back to Mobile I would be happy.

They can probably get it for almost nothing now...

Sneaky that.

We have not gotten a survey, but would love to get one to let Carnival know we would love to have a ship here.

We cruised out of Mobile several times when we had the ships here. Have also cruised out of NOLA on Carnival ships. (We are platinum with Carnival).

Love Carnival but very disappointed when they took our ship away.

Mardi Gras actually started in Mobile, not New Orleans. We have Mardi Gras every year with parades and balls during the whole Mardi Gras season. Actually Mobile's Mardi Gras is considered more family friendly than that in New Orleans.

Mobile also has the USS Alabama battle ship and several other places of interest like the Mardi Gras Museum, Belingraph Gardens and is in the process of building a Maritime Museum. Also, many many motel room.

i second having a cruise ship in Mobile

Would like to see a Carnival Ship back in Mobile! :) We sailed out of their several times stayed in Buloxi, MS the night before the drive to the port was very easy from there. Plus we got to get in some Casino time early! ;) I just hope they get the parking worked out as the lot wasn't large enough for a Fantasy Class ship and all the people who drive to the port. But that would be the only down side as maybe the Port of Calica would be on the schedule and it's hard to beat a beach day in Playa Del Carmen! :D

Carnival sent the survey to me today, also. I definetely would prefer cruising out of Mobile.

Our first family cruise was on the Holiday out of Mobile. We loved going out of Mobile. Only about 5 hours from my home. Made it easier for us to cruise more. Nice hotels are also cheaper in Mobile than New Orleans. If I want to do New Orleans, I would go for a land based vacation rather than a cruise.

I hope they put one of their Fantasy class ships back in Mobile.

How many gulf coast departures going to the same western ports does Carnival need? Seems Mobile is overkill.

Compared to all of the ships on the east coast that do Nassau/Freeport, there are not that many that do the Western Carribean on a five day cruise. Currently Carnival just has Tampa, New Orleans and Galveston.

I loved cruising out of Mobile. If I were to have a choice of Mobile or NOLA, Mobile would win everytime. We also would spend the night before in Biloxi (can't beat a comped room) and just drive over the morning of the cruise. Although we have (and will again next month) cruise out of NOLA, I am not, and never will be a fan of NOLA.

Would like to see a Carnival Ship back in Mobile! :) We sailed out of their several times stayed in Buloxi, MS the night before the drive to the port was very easy from there. Plus we got to get in some Casino time early! ;) I just hope they get the parking worked out as the lot wasn't large enough for a Fantasy Class ship and all the people who drive to the port. But that would be the only down side as maybe the Port of Calica would be on the schedule and it's hard to beat a beach day in Playa Del Carmen! :D

I agree that Calica is a port they should return to also, and I said so on the survey! We really enjoyed Xcaret both times we went there.

Maybe having two ships in New Orleans isn't working out so well. Mobile has just landed a huge Airbus deal. They will be assembling the planes in Mobile. Building the plant will create 3000 plus jobs, the assembly plant will have about 1000 workers. Plus all the companies that will spring up to supply the plant. It's a very big deal for Mobile and maybe Carnival thinks it will mean a lot of new customers.

I sailed from Mobile on The Holiday, it was a great embarkation and debarkation port. I love sailing from New Orleans too but if it's just a 4 or 5 day cruise then Mobile would be much easier.

I always felt that Carnival departed without trying to fix whatever the problem was so would love to see them come back.

they could move the Elation to Mobile when the Sunshine comes to New Orleans and it would be awesome to have a ship that could do maybe a few cruises to nowhere in the gulf, would be great for a weekend getaway endless possiblities

sailed out of Mobile twice and LOVED it!! I would definitely do it again!

We used to cruise out of Mobile every year during my daughter's Thanksgiving Week break from school. We could get on the ship on Saturday and be off on Thanksgiving Day in time to eat lunch with my sister who lives just south of Birmingham.

i've never sailed from either town, but i think i'd pick mobile everytime. i understand NO has more tourist attractions, etc than mobile but i just dont think i'd like all the time on the mississippi river out of NO. i've been all over southern louisiana in the summer several times and i know that you can tell when the mosquitos are around when they turn their landing lights on. it has to be "buggy" in the mississippi. out of mobile its straight out into the open water and fewer bugs.

edit: also it seemed like the 7 day trip out of mobile was better for jamacia and the caymen isl. the ship stayed in port longer. it was a better angle leaving mobile than NO for getting around cuba.

I loved sailing out of Mobile! In fact, I find Mobile to be more "hotel friendly" than I do NO. NO seems to have some type of "festival" once a month(or more). Now that's all fine and dandy if you're interested in that. If not...this causes the price of lodging to skyrocket and decreases the availability to the point that you'd better book your room the same time you book your cruise or you'll be SOL. Also of note...I might never have even stepped foot on a NCL ship had Carnival remained in Mobile. Now I KNOW NCL has a fine product so I'm going sail with them regardless at this point. With Point Clear/Gulf Shores/Orange Beach in one direction and Dauphin Island/Biloxi, MS the other..Mobile is a GREAT location!

i understand NO has more tourist attractions, etc than mobile but i just dont think i'd like all the time on the mississippi river out of NO. i've been all over southern louisiana in the summer several times and i know that you can tell when the mosquitos are around when they turn their landing lights on. it has to be "buggy" in the mississippi.

Depending on the time of year, cruising down the river can be very rewarding. In the winter months it gets dark pretty quick so you miss most of it, so you cannot even tell you are in a river. In the summer, you get to see the river longer, which I enjoy. As for it being "buggy", I have never expieranced that. I believe the ship is traveling too fast for it to be a problem.

I received the survey today...gave a big vote for Mobile. We don't really have a need or desire to go back to New Orleans and Mobile is closer to home for us. Hope that Carnival is reconsidering Mobile!!

I sailed out of Mobile 3 times (twice on the Holiday, once on the Elation) and would LOVE it if Carnival put a ship back there - it's an easy drive for me, always had such nice folks working the check-in. We stayed at the Microtel in Saraland - park/cruise was great.

So... Carnival, if you're reading this, PLEASE send a ship!

I would LOVE to have a ship back in Mobile.

It is only 5 hours from my home. I`ve cruised from New Orleans (several times) and Mobile twice.

I do love the river, but Mobile is closer and that would be my port of choice.

No survey for me but I wish I would get one.

My vote Mobile.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Downtown Mobile the last two times we sailed on the Elation. We did the park and cruise special and used their limo service. It was so convenient. Loved the people working in the cruise terminal, so friendly. We also liked all of the people who worked at the hotel. Previously we stayed at the Riverview Renaissance across the street from the Hampton. It was also super nice. Lots of great hotels in the Mobile area.

I just completed my survey and wondered what was going on...glad I found this thread. My first cruise was out of Mobile on the Holiday and then a couple years later on the Fantasy. I loved cruising out of this port. For me, it's the closest port to drive to, affordable pre cruise hotels, easy parking, and the people are awesome!

Hopefully Carnival will return to Mobile!

Even though DH and I love New Orleans (and taking the train instead of driving), we LOVED sailing out of Mobile and would do it again in a heartbeat!!