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Yesterday, New Orleans’ largest year-round cruise ship, Carnival Conquest, returned from a two-week, multi-million dollar dry dock in The Bahamas loaded with new dining, bar and entertainment options. The refurbished ship now features a number of elements of Carnival’s $500 million “Fun Ship 2.0” fleetwide enhancement program, including Guy’s Burger Joint – developed in tandem with Food Network personality Guy Fieri – an EA SPORTS Bar, and the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.

To mark the occasion and refurbishment of one of its local vessels, Carnival Cruise Lines made a substantial donation to the United Way of Southeast Louisiana.  The contribution will specifically be used to help the people in affected parishes in rebuilding after Hurricane Isaac in August, through local organizations including Committee for Plaquemines Recovery and St. Bernard Project.

As New Orleans’ largest cruise operator, Carnival Cruise Lines has a long-standing relationship with city. In 2011, the line brought its capacity back to pre-Katrina levels with two year-round ships from the port. The newly refurbished Carnival Conquest operates seven-day Caribbean cruises and Carnival Elation offers four- and five-day cruises from New Orleans to Mexico.

Consumers can view a series of fun videos documenting Carnival Conquest’s refurbishment process on Carnival.com and across Carnival’s social channels.

Next year, Carnival Destiny will get a $155 million makeover – Carnival’s most ambitious ship transformation ever. It will get all of the exciting Fun Ship 2.0 dining, bar and entertainment offerings and another 182 new cabins. The redesign will be so extensive that the ship will be renamed Carnival Sunshine following a 49-day dry dock. It will be based out of New Orleans starting next November.