Carnival Imagination

California's Cruise Ambassador

Carnival Imagination was Long Beach's ship. The fifth Fantasy Class vessel, launched in 1995, became inseparable from Southern California's cruise identity for 25 years.

Christened by Jodi Dickinson, she represented West Coast cruisers — families seeking affordable Mexican Riviera escapes without flying to Florida. Imagination delivered three and four-day voyages that fit California schedules and budgets.

Her Long Beach homeport, near the famous Queen Mary, gave California its own cruise tradition. While East Coast ships dominated headlines, Imagination quietly introduced millions of West Coast families to the Fun Ship experience.

From the Logbook

Accessibility Notes

Imagination's Long Beach homeport offered exceptional accessibility — the compact terminal, easy parking, and proximity to Los Angeles made her reachable for disabled West Coast cruisers. Her Mexican Riviera itineraries included ports like Catalina Island with accessible tender operations.