First impressions are important. One of the first things that a passenger boarding a cruise ship sees and uses is the gangway.
Sometimes called “the gangplank,” especially in old pirate tales, it is the long, narrow portable boarding pathway that is placed between the ship and the dock. It is usually the only way passengers have to get on or off the ship.
Well, the gangway at Mobile Alabama's Cruise Terminal is worn out – much use by many thousands of passengers. At the moment, a new gangway is enroute to Mobile from Europe with estimated time of arrival this March.
Passengers can expect a typical Mobile reception and celebration when the new gangway arrives and is unloaded for its intended purpose. Perhaps the Excelsior Band, Azalea Trail Maids, cameras flashing and dignitaries speaking.
This means that when the cruise ship Carnival Spirit returns to Mobile this fall, guests and crew will experience a brand new and improved gangway, It will be their first impression as they board the ship and their last impression as they disembark.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said about the new gangway, "As we continue to explore new sailing and cruise options at the terminal, investing in a new gangway is a necessity. It’s the first thing passengers see when boarding and departing, and our previous gangway had reached the end of its useful life. I want to commend Cruise Terminal Director Shelia Gurganus and her entire staff for their hard work. We are proud to be one of Carnival’s highest-rated homeports for customer satisfaction, and we are able to maintain that because of our facilities and our people!"
Carnival Cruise Lines is now booking passage on the Mobile-based Carnival Spirit for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Details and booking here.
Mobile: Gateway to the Gulf
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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