By the Caribbean Journal staff

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Panorama ship is heading to California, part of a wider plan to expand its cruise offering along the coast of Mexico.

The ship, which will be based in Long Beach, will be the company’s first new ship to homeport in California in more than 20 years.

“Carnival is the number one cruise line on the West Coast and the arrival of Carnival Panorama next December will only strengthen our position as the most fun vacation in the region,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  

Carnival Panorama will begin its Mexico push with a three-day cruise from Long Beach on Dec. 11.

That will be followed by year-round seven day cruises on the Mexican Riviera beginning Dec. 14, according to the company.

The ship will join Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration, which combine to carry more than 600,000 cruise passengers each year from the west coast — the most of any cruise line.

— CJ