MIAMI – From the introduction of the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed and the launch of Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program to significant capacity increases from Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, Carnival Cruise Lines has a number of exciting developments on tap for the coming year:

130,000-ton Carnival Dream – Largest ‘Fun Ship’ Ever Constructed – The largest Carnival Cruise Lines ship ever constructed, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, will usher in a new era of “Fun Ship” cruising when it debuts in September 2009, offering a host of innovations.  Features will include Oceans Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.  Following its debut in Europe and a series of eight- and nine-day voyages from New York and Port Canaveral, Fla., Carnival Dream will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral Dec. 12, 2009.

First Year-Round Schedule from Baltimore - Carnival will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning April 27, 2009, operating two distinctly different Caribbean and Bahamas/Florida itineraries. It is expected that the Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports – the most of any cruise operator.

Carnival Triumph to New Orleans – The 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will replace the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in New Orleans in 2009, representing a 34 percent capacity increase from the Big Easy.  Additionally, Carnival Triumph will introduce two new seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from the port, complementing the line’s popular four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises.  Carnival is the only cruise line to operate year-round from New Orleans and the Carnival Triumph is expected to carry approximately 200,000 passengers annually from that port – the most of any cruise line.

Carnival Fantasy to Mobile – Carnival – which operates Mobile, Ala.’s only year-round cruise program - will expand capacity at the port by 42 percent when the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy assumes the popular four- and five-day cruise program of the 1,452-passenger Holiday beginning in November 2009. On this route, four-day cruises depart the Alabama Cruise Terminal on Thursdays and call at Cozumel while five-day cruises depart on Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Calica or Progreso. Carnival expects to carry 175,000 passengers annually from Mobile. 

Carnival Sensation to Undergo Next Phase of ‘Evolutions of Fun’ - In January 2009, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation will undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment that will include the installation of a water park, an adults-only retreat and tropical-themed mid-ship pool area, all part of the line’s $250 million “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement initiative for its eight Fantasy-class vessels. Carnival Sensation will be the fourth ship to be retrofitted with these features, with Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Fantasy already completed.