MIAMI – From its first-ever Northern Europe program and South America voyages aboard the new Carnival Splendor to a significant capacity increase from Jacksonville, Fla., and the new $250 million “Evolutions of Fun” ship enhancement initiative, Carnival Cruise Lines has a number of exciting developments on tap for the coming year:
First-Ever Northern Europe Cruises Aboard Carnival Splendor – For its inaugural 2008 season, the new 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor will operate an exciting schedule that will include the line’s first Northern Europe cruise program, as well as Carnival’s popular Grand Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greek Isles voyages. The Northern Europe cruises will operate July 13 – Aug. 30, 2008, round-trip from London (Dover), visiting Copenhagen; Warnemunde (Germany); Helsinki; St. Petersburg; Tallin (Estonia); and Amsterdam.
Luxurious “Cloud 9 Spa” Aboard Carnival Splendor – Representing a new class of “Fun Ship,” Carnival Splendor will also feature the “Cloud 9 Spa,” a luxurious 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center – the largest in the Carnival fleet. The modern facility will feature the line’s first thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome and an elaborate thermal suite. Adjacent to the facility will be 68 exclusive “spa staterooms” – also a first for Carnival. The new 113,300-ton SuperLiner is slated to debut in London (Dover) in July 2008.
New South America Cruises Aboard Carnival Splendor – Carnival Splendor will also operate the line’s first-ever South America cruises January – March 2009, visiting magnificent and historic destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru. The voyages include a 17-day, six-port cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jan. 31-Feb. 17; a 14-day, six-port voyage from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile, Feb. 17-March 3; and an 18-day, six-port South America/Mexican Riviera cruise from Santiago (Valparaiso) to San Francisco March 3-21.
New Deployments for Miami-Based Ships - The 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination and 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny will operate new year-round itineraries from Miami next fall. Carnival Imagination – which will undergo a dramatic transformation as part of Carnival’s “Evolutions of Fun” enhancement program – will sail three-day Bahamas and four-day western Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22, 2008, while Carnival Destiny will become the industry’s only 100,000-plus-ton-cruise ship to offer year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises when it launches this program from Miami Sept. 27, 2008.
Significant Expansion on Jacksonville-Based Cruises – Carnival will increase capacity by 38 percent on its Jacksonville-based cruises when the 2,052-passenger Carnival Fascination replaces the 1,486-passenger Celebration on year-round four- and five-day departures beginning Sept. 20, 2008. Carnival is the only cruise operator to sail year-round from Jacksonville and, with the deployment of the Carnival Fascination – the newest and largest ship ever homeported year-round in Jacksonville – the line is expected to carry 170,000 guests annually from that port.
$250 Million ‘Evolutions of Fun’ Product Enhancement Strategy – The Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Imagination are the first of the line’s eight Fantasy-class ships to undergo an “extreme makeover” with the new “Evolutions of Fun” ship enhancement program. In addition to the new “Carnival WaterWorks” aqua parks featuring 300-foot-long corkscrew water slides, water spray park and double-lane racing slides, the initiative includes a new design for the main pool areas, and the creation of the “Serenity” adults-only deck area. Other features, many of which are already in place, include nine-hole mini golf courses, atrium lobby bars, conference centers, and expansive new children’s play rooms. The “Evolutions of Fun” upgrades are expected to be completed over the next few years, with the Carnival Fantasy next in line to undergo the extensive renovations this fall.
Second ‘John Heald Bloggers Cruise’ Aboard Carnival Fantasy – Following the tremendous success of the inaugural “John Heald Bloggers Cruise” earlier this year, the popular senior cruise director will host a second cruise for readers of his popular blog – this time aboard the Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans Feb. 7-12, 2009. The five-day voyage, which will visit Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, will feature a number of exclusive events and activities hosted by Heald, whose blog has attracted more than 1.5 million visitors since being launched in March 2007.
Carnival Expands ‘Concierge Club’ Benefits - Carnival’s “Concierge Club” guest recognition program has been expanded to provide members who sail on their 25th, 50th and 75th “Fun Ship” cruise with a shipboard credit representing 25, 50 or 75 percent of their cruise fare, respectively, for that particular voyage. Those sailing on their 100th cruise earn a complimentary voyage of up to eight days in length. This new milestone cruise benefit is in addition to the wide range of amenities and privileges that “Platinum” cardholders already receive. Certain restrictions apply. New ‘Fun Ship’ Branding Campaign Launched - A new multi-million-dollar branding campaign that injects a fresh new look and feel into Carnival’s various advertising, marketing and collateral materials debuted in January of this year. The centerpiece of the campaign are three new 30-second television spots featuring the Queen classic “You’re My Best Friend,” along with computer animation and editing techniques that seamlessly blend one scene into another. Built around the charge to “Let the Fun Begin,” the campaign also include new consumer and trade print ads and striking new design for the line’s marketing materials.
New 130,000-ton SuperLiners Named – “Carnival Dream” and “Carnival Magic” are the names chosen for Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 130,000-ton SuperLiners scheduled to enter service in October 2009 and June 2011, respectively. The new 3,652-passenger vessels – to be the largest in the Carnival fleet – will offer the most spacious design of any “Fun Ship” as well as a host of new and expanded features. Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 "Fun Ships" operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, New England, Canada, Bermuda, Europe, the Greek Isles and South America. The line currently has three new ships scheduled to enter service between now and 2011. For additional information on Carnival’s “Fun Ship” vacations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com. ### 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, 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.
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