Carnival Cruise Lines News

Carnival Corporation & plc Among Top Companies in Annual Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings

Joyce Oliva — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:53:18 +0000

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise vacation group, has once again been named to the Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings of the top 100 companies in the southeastern U.S.

Carnival Corporation & plc is listed in the rankings as the “Top Ranked Company in Florida,” and is the fourth-ranked company in the six-state Southeastern region (comprised of Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee).

The rankings are based on the framework provided by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a non-profit organization that is widely recognized as the standard for corporate sustainability reporting. GRI’s framework is used to evaluate those organizations that achieve an overall corporate sustainability goal of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Shown here at the reception announcing the Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings are (from left): Mark Serwinowski, CEO MetaVu; Mark Callaway, co-founder, Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings; James Van Langen, VP – management systems, Carnival Corporation & plc; Stephanie Armistead, co-founder Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings; and Michael Muyot, president, CRD Analytics.

Carnival Corporation & plc operates a portfolio of worldwide cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Cruises (Australia), along with the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Carnival Corporation & plc’s fleet includes 100 ships totaling 200,000 lower berths with nine new ships scheduled to be delivered between now and March 2016. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

Carnival Corporation & plc Included on ‘100 Best Corporate Citizens’ List by Corporate Responsibility Magazine

Joyce Oliva — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:39:05 +0000

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise vacation group, has been named one of “100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine in the publication’s 13^th annual rankings. Carnival, which ranked #52 this year (up from #69 last year), is the only cruise operator included on the list.

The CR Magazine rankings evaluate companies on seven different categories, including environment, climate change, employee relations, human rights, governance, finance, and philanthropy.

Groundbreaking Ceremonies Held for New $65 Million Amber Cove Cruise Center in the Dominican Republic

Joyce Oliva — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:41:27 +0000

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Caribbean’s newest destination, the $65 million Amber Cove Cruise Center, were held yesterday in the Dominican Republic at the project site on the Bay of Maimon located near Puerto Plata in the country’s North Coast.

The new facility – which represents one of the largest cruise industry investments ever made in the Dominican Republic – is scheduled to open in 2014. The project is designed to re-establish the Dominican Republic’s North Coast as a popular cruise destination. The last cruise ship to call at Puerto Plata was nearly 30 years ago.

The ceremony attracted a number of dignitaries from the Dominican Republic, including President Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Public Works & Communications Victor Diaz Rua, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Ernesto Reyna, Director of the Dominican Republic’s Center for Export and Investment (DR-CEI) Eddie Martinez, Customs Director Rafael Camilo and Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) Director Ing. Ramon Rivas.

A joint project between Carnival Corporation & plc and the Rannik family of Grupo B&R, the new two-berth Amber Cove Cruise Center will be able to accommodate up to 8,000 cruise passengers and 2,000 crew members daily. The facility is expected to host more than 250,000 cruise passengers in its first year of operation.

Amber Cove will encompass 30 acres of waterfront property and will feature a welcome center with a variety of retail offerings, including a marketplace for locally sourced Dominican crafts and souvenirs, as well as a wide range of themed restaurants and bars and an exciting water attraction. A transportation hub allowing visitors easy access by land and sea to the surrounding destinations and attractions will be included, as well.

“This is a glorious day for the Dominican Republic. It is already being inscribed in the annals of our recent economic history as one of the most significant steps we have taken to assure the transformation and development of Puerto Plata, the northern region, and the entire country. With this cruise terminal, tourism and economic activity in Puerto Plata and the north region will rise to occupy a preeminent regional position in the entire Caribbean, showing that a combination of natural beauty, a supportive government policy, investment by a world-class company determined to put its trust in our country, and above all the quality of our people, are key factors that can secure present and future generations ample growth opportunities in the tourism sector,” said President Leonel Fernández Reyna.

Added Jeffrey Rannik from the Rannik family/Grupo B&R, “We’re very pleased to team up with cruise industry leader Carnival Corporation & plc on the exciting Amber Cove project which will serve to re-establish the North Coast as a major destination for cruise ship visitors. This magnificent facility will not only provide cruise ship guests with a positive shoreside experience but also serve as an economic catalyst for the North Coast and the surrounding region.”

“Amber Cove promises to be a spectacular facility that will serve as a gateway for cruise guests to experience the natural beauty and wonder that makes the Dominican Republic such an attractive tourist destination,” said Giora Israel, Carnival Corporation & plc’s senior vice president of global port and destination development.

Carnival Breeze Completes Sea Trials in Adriatic Sea

Joyce Oliva — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:28:50 +0000

The 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, is shown here conducting sea trials in the Adriatic Sea in preparation for its inaugural June 3 voyage from Venice, Italy.

The 3,690-passenger vessel, currently in the final stages of construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, had a full contingent of officers, technicians, and engineers on board who thoroughly tested the Carnival Breeze’s sophisticated navigation, technical and mechanical systems.

Carnival Breeze will offer a variety of innovations, including the line’s first Thrill Theater, an immersive multi-dimensional special effects experience that makes viewers feel as if they’re part of the movie, along with popular features such as WaterWorks, with fun water slides and attractions, and SportSquare, an expansive top-deck recreation area with a ropes course, mini-golf, an outdoor fitness area and more. Exclusive to Carnival Breeze is Bonsai Sushi, the line’s first full-service sushi restaurant, and Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ, an open-air dining venue featuring a variety of grilled barbecue favorites and traditional sides.

Following its inaugural 12-day cruise that departs Venice June 3 and arrives in Barcelona June 15, Carnival Breeze will operate a summer schedule of Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona through October 25. The ship will then sail on a 15-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Miami, positioning the vessel for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean departures beginning November 24, 2012. Carnival Breeze will be Carnival Cruise Lines’ largest ship ever based in South Florida.

Saint-Jean Named Carnival Cruise Lines’ ‘Volunteer of the Year’

Joyce Oliva — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:53:03 +0000

Murielle Saint-Jean, an employee in Carnival Cruise Lines’ guest care department, has been named the company’s Volunteer of the Year, an annual award that recognizes outstanding dedication and commitment to community service.

A 16-year Carnival veteran, Saint-Jean was honored for her role in Carnival’s employee volunteer service group, the “Friends Uniting Neighbors (F.U.N.) Team,” donating her time to such organizations as Camillus House, Broward Partnership for the Homeless and Bay Oaks Home for the Aged. In addition to presenting Saint-Jean with an etched acrylic clock, Carnival is making a $1,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

The award was presented at the company’s annual Volunteer Reception, which pays tribute to those employees who volunteer their time and talent in helping those less fortunate in the South Florida community. Last year, Carnival employees participated in 87 volunteer service activities representing a total of 2,500 volunteer hours.

Saint-Jean (center) is pictured here at the festivities with her department head, Vice President of Guest Services and Support Vicky Rey (left), and Linda Coll, director of the Carnival Foundation, which coordinates the company’s corporate philanthropy efforts.

Carnival Liberty Earns 100 Score on United States Public Health Inspection; Fifth Carnival ship to Achieve Perfect Mark This Year

Joyce Oliva — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:53:09 +0000

Carnival Liberty earned a 100 score on its most recent United States Public Health (U.S.P.H.) inspection last week, marking the fifth time that a Carnival Cruise Lines ship has earned a perfect score this year.

The unannounced inspections, which are conducted twice each year and required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling on a U.S. port, encompass a broad range of shipboard sanitation areas, including proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures and overall cleanliness of the galley and other shipboard areas. The potable water supply used in spas and pools is also examined.

Carnival Liberty – the first ship to undergo the initial phase of Carnival’s $500 million Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement initiative – operates year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami.

Happy First Birthday, Carnival Magic!

Joyce Oliva — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:30:56 +0000

The one-year anniversary of Carnival Magic’s maiden voyage was celebrated by nearly 5,400 guests and crew during a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departed from Galveston, Texas, earlier this week. Carnival Magic’s first birthday was marked with a number of special events, including a fun-filled deck party and crew-only celebration in the ship’s casual Lido restaurant.

Since entering service May 1, 2011, the 130,000-ton “Fun Ship” has hosted more than 170,000 guests during its introductory schedule in Europe, as well as year-round Caribbean departures from Galveston.

Carnival Magic introduced a number of popular innovations, including the Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub offering the line’s own private label beer, the Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant and SportSquare, an outdoor recreation area featuring the cruise industry’s first ropes course.

Happy Birthday, Carnival Magic!

Sweepstakes: Ladies and Gentlemen, Let’s Get Ready To Rumble BlueIguana Cantina Style

Joyce Oliva — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:53:32 +0000

Carnival is asking its Facebook fans to celebrate the Carnival Breeze’s wide variety of dining options with a virtual food fight sweepstakes.

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, the “BlueIguana Cantina Fight for Your Appetite” sweepstakes asks fans to choose their favorite taco and burrito toppings in a series of head-to-head competitions pitting such options as guacamole vs. sour cream or breakfast burritos vs. traditional tacos.

All participants who vote will be entered into a drawing for a Carnival Breeze Caribbean cruise for two, including round-trip air transportation. Additional information and sweepstakes details are available here.

Scrumptious New Dining Venues to be Featured on Carnival Breeze

Joyce Oliva — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:43:01 +0000

When the 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze debuts this summer, so will a variety of exciting and yummy dining options, including Bonsai Sushi, the line’s first full-service sushi restaurant, and Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ.

Here’s a peek at what the Carnival Breeze will offer its guests:

Bonsai Sushi – Carnival’s first full-service sushi restaurant, Bonsai Sushi offers a wide variety of Asian-inspired delicacies with a contemporary decor featuring artwork by world-renowned graffiti artist Erni Vales, colorful koi kites flown during impromptu celebrations, and, of course, several Bonsai trees. Located along Promenade Deck, Bonsai Sushi includes a number of varieties of sushi, sashimi, and rolls along with bento boxes and the venue’s own interpretation of a sushi boat – in this case, a sushi “ship” – with prices ranging from $1 for appetizer-sized portions to $15 for a sushi ship for two.

Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ – Reminiscent of a backyard barbecue, this complimentary open-air dining venue located on Promenade Deck offers a mouth-watering array of grilled favorites, including barbecued chicken breast, kielbasa, Italian sausage, and Fat Jimmy’s signature item, pulled pork sandwiches, along with traditional sides like baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and mini-corn muffins.

Guy’s Burger Joint – fresh-made burgers, hand-cut fries and innovative toppings created in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri.

BlueIguana Cantina – offering authentic tacos and burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar.

The Punchliner Comedy Brunch presented by George Lopez – featuring hilarious comedic performances and an extensive menu of brunch-time favorites.

“The Comfort Kitchen” – new venue located within Lido Marketplace offering American-style “comfort food.”

Serenity – salads, sandwiches, wraps and other light fare available at the ship’s exclusive adults-only retreat.

The Taste Bar – complimentary bite-size offerings inspired by popular Carnival dining venues, along with a signature cocktail tied to that eatery’s particular theme available for purchase.

Sea Dogs – a hot dog-shaped cart within the SportSquare outdoor recreation area offering all-beef franks and traditional toppings (debuts on Carnival Breeze in November).

To view the full list of the Carnival Breeze’s dining options and details on the ship’s itinerary click here.

New Full-Service Sushi Restaurant, Outdoor BBQ Venue Among Tantalizing Array of Cuisine Choices on Carnival Breeze

Joyce Oliva — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:26:52 +0000

NEW FULL-SERVICE SUSHI RESTAURANT, OUTDOOR BBQ VENUE AMONG TANTALIZING ARRAY OF CUISINE CHOICES ON CARNIVAL BREEZE

Carnival Launches Fun Culinary-Themed Facebook Sweepstakes Awarding Free Cruise on Line’s Newest Ship and Round-Trip Air Transportation

Dining is a highlight of the Carnival vacation experience and the 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze will feature a huge array of culinary choices when it enters service June 3. Two new offerings will include Bonsai Sushi, the line’s first full-service sushi restaurant, and an open-air barbecue venue called Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ.

To celebrate Carnival Breeze’s exciting variety of dining choices, today Carnival Cruise Lines is launching a sweepstakes on its Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/carnival) tied to another of the ship’s dining spots, the Mexican-themed BlueIguana Cantina. The sweepstakes asks fans to choose their favorite burrito or taco toppings available at the casual dining venue for a chance to win a Caribbean cruise for two on the new 130,000-ton “Fun Ship,” along with round-trip air transportation.

Here’s a look at the Carnival Breeze’s many different tantalizing dining choices:

Bonsai Sushi – Carnival’s first full-service sushi restaurant, Bonsai Sushi offers a wide variety of Asian-inspired delicacies with a contemporary decor featuring artwork by world-renowned graffiti artist Erni Vales, colorful koi kites flown during impromptu celebrations, and, of course, several Bonsai trees. Located along Promenade Deck, Bonsai Sushi includes a number of varieties of sushi, sashimi, and rolls along with bento boxes and the venue’s own interpretation of a sushi boat – in this case, a sushi “ship” – with prices ranging from $1 for appetizer-sized portions to $15 for a sushi ship for two.

Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ – Reminiscent of a backyard barbecue, this complimentary open-air dining venue located on Promenade Deck offers a mouth-watering array of grilled favorites, including barbecued chicken breast, kielbasa, Italian sausage, and Fat Jimmy’s signature item, pulled pork sandwiches, along with traditional sides like baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and mini-corn muffins.

Guy’s Burger Joint – fresh-made burgers, hand-cut fries and innovative toppings created in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri.

BlueIguana Cantina – offering authentic tacos and burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar.

The Punchliner Comedy Brunch presented by George Lopez – featuring hilarious comedic performances and an extensive menu of brunch-time favorites.

Fahrenheit 555 – a classic American steakhouse offering mouth-watering steaks and other gourmet fare with impeccable service (venue will carry a surcharge consistent with other steakhouses in the Carnival fleet).

Cucina del Capitano – a family-style restaurant reminiscent of a cozy Italian home with dishes such as Piatto della Nonna, inspired by the grandma of Carnival Breeze Captain Vincenzo Alcaras with penne pasta, crispy shrimp and prosciutto in a vodka cream sauce (venue will serve as a free lunch-time pasta bar during the day with a nominal charge for dinner).

Lido Marketplace – a casual poolside eatery offering an array of international favorites, from paninis and 24-hour pizza to Indian Tandoori and a Mongolian Wok station and just about everything in between.

“The Comfort Kitchen” – new venue located within Lido Marketplace offering American-style “comfort food.”

Ocean Plaza – an indoor/outdoor café serving cappuccinos, lattes, and espressos as well as pastries and other confections.

RedFrog Pub – an island-themed pub where guests can nosh on Caribbean-inspired fare while soaking up the distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West ambiance.

Serenity – salads, sandwiches, wraps and other light fare available at the ship’s exclusive adults-only retreat.

The Taste Bar – complimentary bite-size offerings inspired by popular Carnival dining venues, along with a signature cocktail tied to that eatery’s particular theme available for purchase.

Sea Dogs – a hot dog-shaped cart within the SportSquare outdoor recreation area offering all-beef franks and traditional toppings (debuts on Carnival Breeze in November).

‘BlueIguana Cantina Fight for Your Appetite’ Sweepstakes
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, the “BlueIguana Cantina Fight for Your Appetite” sweepstakes runs from today through May 10 on Carnival’s Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/carnival). Fans are asked to choose their favorite taco and burrito toppings in a series of head-to-head competitions pitting such options as guacamole vs. sour cream or breakfast burritos vs. traditional tacos. All participants who vote are entered into a drawing for a Carnival Breeze Caribbean cruise for two, as well as round-trip air transportation, that will be awarded on May 17.

In a fun twist, the sweepstakes includes a unique feature in which fans can digitally throw images of burrito and taco toppings and other BlueIguana Cantina food items at their fellow Facebook enthusiasts’ pages.

Additional information and sweepstakes details are available at www.facebook.com/carnival. Images, information and videos specific to the Carnival Breeze are available at www.carnivalbreeze.com.

Exciting European, Caribbean Itineraries
Following an inaugural 12-day cruise from Venice departing June 3, 2012, Carnival Breeze will operate a series of 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona through October 25, 2012. After its trans-Atlantic crossing, Carnival Breeze will sail year-round from Miami beginning November 24, 2012, offering port-intensive six- and eight-day cruises that showcase the best the Caribbean has to offer.

Additional Information and Reservations
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com. Carnival can also be found on:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/carnivalcruiselines/
Journalists also can visit Carnival’s media site, www.carnival-news.com or follow the line’s PR department on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CarnivalPR

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About Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival is “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line®” with 23 ships operating three- to 18-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda, South America, Panama Canal, Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Norway, the Baltic and the British Isles. The company will expand its fleet with the launch of the 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze, which is scheduled to enter service June 3, 2012.

Carnival is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com

Carnival Cruise Lines News

Carnival Corporation & plc Among Top Companies in Annual Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings

Carnival Corporation & plc Included on ‘100 Best Corporate Citizens’ List by Corporate Responsibility Magazine

Groundbreaking Ceremonies Held for New $65 Million Amber Cove Cruise Center in the Dominican Republic

Carnival Corporation & plc’s Senior Vice President of Global Port and Destination Development Giora Israel presents Dominican Republic President Dr. Leonel Fernandez with a commemorative plaque from the groundbreaking ceremony.

Carnival Breeze Completes Sea Trials in Adriatic Sea

The 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze, conducts sea trials in the Adriatic Sea in preparation for its inaugural June 3 voyage from Venice, Italy.

Carnival Breeze conducts sea trials as it gets ready for its debut June 3 in Venice.

The Carnival Breeze which is currently in the final stages of construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, had a full contingent of officers, technicians, and engineers on board thoroughly testing the ship’s sophisticated navigation, technical and mechanical systems.

Carnival Breeze will offer a variety of innovations, including the line’s first Thrill Theater.

Following its inaugural 12-day cruise that departs Venice June 3 and arrives in Barcelona June 15, Carnival Breeze will operate a summer schedule of Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona through October 25.