MIAMI (December 12, 2006) – Offering a combination of convenience and affordability, shorter, more frequent vacations are more popular than ever, with an increase of more than 10 percent over the past five years, according to a recent study by the Travel Industry Association of America.

To cater to this growing trend, in the coming year Carnival Cruise Lines will deploy roughly half its fleet on short cruises, offering more voyages of five days or less in length than any other cruise operator.

Carnival will offer 32 different short cruise itinerary choices from 12 "close-to-home" departure points in 2007, including the first year-round cruise program from San Diego aboard the 2,052-passenger Elation beginning June 2.

"Time is a precious commodity these days and short cruises are perfectly suited to today’s lifestyles. In addition to meeting the needs of busy consumers, short cruises are very popular with families, as well as with first-time cruisers who want to experience our product but with less investment in time and money," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Carnival’s 2007 short cruise itineraries include:

2,052-passenger Fascination – year-round three-day Bahamas and four-day western Caribbean cruises from Miami

2,052-passenger Imagination – year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean voyages from Miami

2,052-passenger Sensation – year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla.

2,052-passenger Elation – four- and five-day Bahamas/eastern Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral (through April 28); year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises from San Diego (beginning June 2)

2,052-passenger Inspiration – year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from Tampa

1,486-passenger Celebration – year-round four-day Bahamas and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville, Fla.

1,452-passenger Holiday – year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from Mobile, Ala.

2,056-passenger Fantasy – year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans

2,052-passenger Ecstasy – year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from Galveston, Texas

2,052-passenger Paradise – year-round three- and four-day day Baja cruises from Long Beach, Calif.

2,758-passenger Carnival Victory – seasonal four- and five-day Canada cruises from New York (June 12 – Sept. 3); special five-day Bahamas cruises departing Charleston, S.C. May 28 and Oct. 16; special two-day cruises from Norfolk, Va., departing June 9 and Oct. 13

2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom – special one-time four-day western Caribbean voyage from Miami departing November 12

2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph – special one-time five-day western Caribbean cruise from New Orleans departing Aug. 28

2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle – special one-time two-day cruise departing from New York Oct. 18

Carnival’s short cruise options complement the line’s wide variety of six- to 16-day "Fun Ship" departures to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Greek Isles.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

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Carnival Cruise Lines is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.