NEWS TO USE FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
MIAMI – From a host of new itineraries, including the line’s first-ever Northern Europe cruise program aboard the new Carnival Splendor and the first year-round cruise schedule from San Diego, to the new $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" product 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.
Carnival’s Largest, Most Luxurious Spa Aboard Carnival Splendor – Representing a new class of "Fun Ship," Carnival Splendor will feature 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. Surrounding 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.
First Year-Round Cruise Schedule from San Diego – Beginning June 2, 2007, Carnival’s 2,052-passenger Elation will launch San Diego’s first year-round cruise program with four- and five-day voyages to Baja Mexico. On this one-of-a-kind program, four-day cruises will visit Cabo San Lucas while five-day voyages will add a stop in Ensenada. Elation will join the Carnival Spirit, which operates eight-day seasonal cruises from San Diego. These two ships are expected to carry 230,000 passengers annually from San Diego – more than any other cruise line.
$250 Million "Evolutions of Fun" Product Enhancement Strategy – Carnival’s eight Fantasy-class ships will undergo a dramatic transformation with children’s water parks, a new design style and features for pool areas, and the creation of the "Serenity" adults-only deck area, all part of the line’s $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" product enhancement initiative. Other features, many of which are already in place, include nine-hole mini golf courses, atrium lobby bars, and expansive new children’s play rooms. The "Evolutions of Fun" upgrades are expected to be completed by 2009.
Fantasy-class Ships to be Rebranded – In conjunction with the "Evolutions of Fun" refurbishment program, Carnival will re-brand its eight Fantasy-class ships by introducing an updated version of each ship’s name as it appears on the vessel’s hull. The name "Carnival" and the company’s logo will be combined with the vessel’s name to provide an updated look and feel. All marketing materials going forward will now feature the new ship names Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation.
First-Ever Bloggers Cruise on Carnival Freedom – Based on the incredible success of the Internet "blog" of Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald – whose humorous and insightful postings are featured within a micro-site created for the launch of the new Carnival Freedom (www.carnival.com/freedom) – Heald will host his first-ever "Bloggers Cruise" aboard the 2,974-passenger vessel January 19-26, 2008. The seven-day cruise from Miami will visit three of Heald’s favorite ports: Ocho Rios; George Town (Grand Cayman); and Cozumel.
New Itineraries for Carnival Imagination, Carnival Destiny – The tropical destinations of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau will be featured on a new three-port, five-day itinerary of the 2,052-passenger Imagination. The new itinerary, which begins Aug. 13, 2007, is the latest enhancement to the ship’s popular four- and five-day cruise schedule from Miami. Also, beginning Jan. 8, 2008, the 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny will launch a new five-port, seven-day itinerary from San Juan featuring a rare overnight call in La Romana/Casa de Campo, along with day-long visits to St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados and St. Thomas/St. John.
Fleetwide Cell Phone Service, Wi-Fi Internet Access – Through an exclusive agreement between Carnival and Wireless Maritime Services, guests sailing aboard all 22 "Fun Ships" can now use their personal cell phones and other communication devices at sea. Carnival has also expanded wireless Internet access to all public rooms fleetwide with the installation of strategically located Wi-Fi "hot spots" throughout the vessels’ lounges, pool areas, open decks, dining venues and suites.
Mind/Body Cruise Aboard Carnival Conquest – Carnival and Shape and Men’s Fitness magazines have teamed up for the fourth annual "Mind/Body Cruise" aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest, operating round-trip from Galveston, Texas, Dec. 2- 9, 2007. The seven-day cruise will call at Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel and a variety of fitness and wellness seminars, cooking demonstrations and nutritional workshops hosted by renowned personal trainers, and health and nutrition experts.
New Web Site for Custom-Designed ‘Fun Ship’-Themed Shirts - Carnival has created a special Web site allowing consumers to create custom-designed shirts to wear during or after their cruise. The site, located at www.carnivalfuntees.com, offers three shirt styles – T-shirt, polo shirt or tank top which can be imprinted with images and information from templates for eight affinity groups: family reunion, friends and family, girlfriend getaways, anniversary, birthday, wedding, honeymoon, and corporate.
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 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, New England, Canada, Bermuda, Europe and the Greek Isles. 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.
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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, 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.