During the annual WAVE (Western Agents Votes of Excellence) Awards presented by TravelAge West Magazine, Kirk Neal, Carnival Cruise Lines’ business development director for the Sacramento region, was named “favorite individual cruise line sales representative,” while Harry’s Supper Club aboard the 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty was named “best alternative dining facility.” The annual awards, which recognize travel companies in a wide range of product- and service-related categories, are based on feedback from TravelAge West readers, which include travel agent professionals in 14 western U.S. states, as well as information gleaned from the publication’s editors.

Neal, a 22-year Carnival veteran who previously worked as a hotel director aboard the line’s ships, was honored for his professionalism, innovation in sales and marketing techniques, and superior product knowledge and expertise.

Harry’s, an intimate 108-seat restaurant aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty, was recognized for offering guests an unforgettable culinary experience. The upscale reservations-only eatery offers an extensive menu of prime, aged beef and other gourmet fare, an extensive wine list and impeccable service, all in elegant surroundings.

“Carnival strives for excellence in every facet of our operations – from providing a quality cruise vacation experience to helping travel agents succeed with a team of talented sales professionals in the field – and receiving these awards from TravelAge West is a gratifying endorsement of these efforts,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Added Michelle Rosenberg, publisher of TravelAge West, “The WAVE awards are a celebration of excellence in travel products, services and destinations. This year’s winners have consistently demonstrated excellence within the travel marketplace.”

TravelAge West has been serving the travel industry for 39 years as a leading source of travel industry news and product information. Read by travel agents, travel suppliers and travel industry professionals, the publication has a circulation of 26,000 in 14 western U.S. states.

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), 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 on order – the 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, set to debut in Europe July 13, 2008; and the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic, scheduled for delivery in October 2009 and June 2011, respectively.

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, 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.