By the Caribbean Journal staff

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista ship has made its debut in Galveston.

The ship immediately becomes the largest ever ship to homeport in the Texas port.

Carnival Vista, part of the company’s newest and largest class of ships, left on its first voyage from Galveston on Sunday.

The ship is sailing two different week-long Western Caribbean itineraries from Galveston: the first stops in Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, while the second makes calls in Roatan, Belize and Cozumel.

“Carnival Vista brings Texas-sized fun to Galveston for guests of all ages and we are thrilled to celebrate the arrival of the port’s newest ship and show our appreciation for the local community,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “Carnival is Texas’ number one cruise operator and positioning one of our newest ships, Carnival Vista, in Galveston underscores our commitment to our confidence in growing this key market.”

Vista joins two other Carnival ships, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Valor, all of which are operating year-round departures from Galveston.

“After 18 years of cultivating the cruise business in the State of Texas, we are thrilled to welcome Carnival’s largest class ship to her new home,” said Rodger Rees, CEO of the Port of Galveston. “As one of Carnival’s most successful homeports, their decision to re-position their newest ship is a testament of their confidence in the port’s continued success as one of the nation’s top cruise ports. We look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial partnership.”

— CJ