Carnival unveils plans for unique new cruises through the Panama Canal

The cruise giant Carnival is set to introduce a new route to its collection of Panama Canal cruises — a first for any cruise line.

Slated to begin in 2026, the one-way trips through this iconic waterway will launch from Mobile, Alabama, ending in Seattle, or the other way around.

This will mark the first time that Carnival or any other cruise line has connected these two cities, both known as cruise hubs.

Currently, Carnival plans to offer just two sailings on this new route, both aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit.

Both sailings will last just over two weeks — significantly longer than the typical Carnival cruises. The first voyage is scheduled to begin on April 12, 2026, departing from Mobile and arriving in Seattle 16 days later. The second will kick off on October 8, 2026, from Seattle and will also conclude 16 days later in Mobile.

Along with traversing the Panama Canal, both journeys will feature stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Colombia.

The trips will occur while Carnival Spirit temporarily shifts from Mobile to Seattle for a summer of Alaska cruises.

Carnival Spirit is one of two ships Carnival intends to send to Seattle in 2026 for voyages to Alaska.

This week, Carnival announced that the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle will also offer Alaskan sailings from Seattle in 2026.

Carnival Miracle will transition to Seattle for the 2026 Alaska season, departing from Tampa on a 16-day repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal. Similar to Carnival Spirit's itineraries, it will stop at Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas, and Cartagena.

Following its summer Alaska voyages from Seattle, Carnival Miracle will move to Galveston, Texas, embarking on another 16-day journey through the Panama Canal, with stops at Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas, and Cartagena.

This latter voyage is set to commence in Seattle on September 26, 2026.

While stationed in Seattle, Carnival Miracle will primarily operate seven-day Alaska cruises, departing every Thursday. These trips will include visits to Tracy Arm Fjord for glacier viewing, as well as the Alaskan towns of Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, plus a stop in Victoria, British Columbia.

Moreover, Carnival Miracle will feature two extended Alaska itineraries: a nine-day journey that includes a stop in Sitka, Alaska, and a 10-day cruise that adds a visit to Icy Strait Point, Alaska.

When docked in Seattle, Carnival Spirit will present a comparable seven-night itinerary to Alaska, similar to that of Carnival Miracle.

Carnival Spirit will also conduct a unique 15-day cruise from Seattle to Hawaii. Starting on September 23, 2026, this voyage will include stops in Honolulu on Oahu, Nawiliwili on Kauai, Kahului on Maui, and Hilo on Hawaii Island, along with a visit to Victoria, British Columbia.