Carnival Cruise Lines’ immensely popular senior cruise director and ‘blogger extraordinaire’ John Heald will host two Bloggers Cruises aboard the new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream in 2009. 

            The first, an eight-day voyage operating round-trip from New York November 15-23, 2009, will call at Port Canaveral, Fla., and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. A second nine-day voyage sailing round-trip from Port Canaveral, Fla. December 3-12, 2009, will feature stops at Antigua; Tortola; St. Thomas/St. John; San Juan; and Grand Turk.

            These voyages will follow on the heels of two other Bloggers Cruises hosted by Heald in 2008 and early 2009.  The popular theme cruises provide fans of Heald and readers of his blog the opportunity to interact with him and participate in a number of exclusive activities and events.

            Heald’s blog (accessible via carnival.com and johnhealdsblog.com) has attracted more than 3 million visitors who enjoy his unique, behind-the-scenes look at shipboard life, with humorous anecdotes and observations focusing on the people and places he comes in contact with on a daily basis. He also features insightful interviews with colleagues in a wide variety of job positions both at Carnival and among the cruise line’s many sister cruise brands.

            “It was never my dream to write a blog. My dream involved an Aston Martin, Angelina Jolie and lots of sugar free Jello,” said Heald. “Anyway, after writing a blog and reaching 3.3 million hits, here we are announcing our third and fourth cruises for fans of my blog – on board the newest and most exciting Carnival ship ever — the Carnival Dream.  Now that truly does make this a dream come true and it’s going to be absolutely brilliant,” he said.

Special ‘Bloggers Cruise’ Events

            During both cruises, Heald will host a number of exclusive events, including a welcome aboard reception, trivia contests, question-and-answer sessions and private tea time with John among many other activities.  A variety of keepsakes and logo items will be provided to all Bloggers Cruise participants, and Heald will be blogging daily throughout both voyages.  

The Carnival Dream

            With a basis-two capacity of 3,646 passengers and spanning 1,004 feet in length, Carnival Dream is the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed.  The Carnival Dream will not only introduce a new class of vessel for the line, but also usher in a new era of “Fun Ship” cruising when it debuts September 21, 2009.

            The vessel, which offers a new layout, sleek hull and distinctive profile, will introduce many unique features and amenities, including a new concept in entertainment called Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam, and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.  

            Also available will be a number of themed lounges, an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, full casino gambling and a variety of dining options.

Information and Reservations

            For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call

1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

            Participants must request fare code PBL to be included in the November and December 2009 Bloggers Cruise events.

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           Carnival Cruise Lines will increase capacity on its seasonal cruise program from New York in 2010 with the 2,978-passenger Carnival Glory scheduled to operate a variety of four and five-day Atlantic Canada voyages from June to September, followed by a series of five week-long fall foliage cruises.

            It marks the first time that Carnival has deployed one of its largest ships on the highly popular program.  The 110,000-ton Carnival Glory features a wide variety of exceptional facilities, amenities and stateroom accommodation categories.  Additionally, departing from New York makes these cruises extremely convenient and attractive for the huge population base within driving distance of Manhattan, as well as for those in the larger eastern U.S. region who can take a short-haul flight to one of the area’s three major airports.

            Four-day cruises departing Thursdays feature a call at Saint John, New Brunswick and scenic cruising in the Bay of Fundy, while five-day cruises departing on Mondays and Saturdays include stops at Saint John and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  The program commences with a four-day voyage departing June 6, 2010 (a one-time Sunday departure). 

            Week-long fall foliage itineraries beginning Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, feature four different ports of call, including Boston, Mass., Portland, Maine, Saint John and Halifax, offering a variety of opportunities to view stunning fall colors and explore these charming coastal cities.

            The $500 million Carnival Glory features 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, a 214-foot-long water slide, a 14,500-square-foot health club, an Internet café, jogging track and extensive duty free shopping options.  A comprehensive golf program offering instruction both aboard ship and during golf excursions is also featured.

            In addition to a 1,400-seat poolside eatery with a 24-hour pizzeria, the ship includes twin two-level formal restaurants and a reservations-only supper club offering U.S.D.A. prime dry-aged beef and other gourmet cuisine.

            Sixty percent of Carnival Glory’s 1,489 spacious staterooms offer either an ocean view or private balcony.  All staterooms feature the “Carnival Comfort Bed” sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality pillows and linens.

            Carnival Glory also offers expansive facilities and complimentary activities for children and teens, with its “Camp Carnival,” “Circle C” and “Club O2” programs catering to different age groups.

            The cruise line is currently accepting reservations for both its 2009 and 2010 departures from New York (2009 voyages will operate on the Carnival Triumph). For additional information or reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

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           Carnival Cruise Lines’ 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor – the line’s newest and largest “Fun Ship” – made its U.S. debut Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, when it arrived at Port Everglades this morning following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Europe. 

            Carnival Splendor will kick off its Fort Lauderdale–based program with a series of three one-time voyages — a two-day cruise to Nassau Nov. 15-17, a four-day Bahamas/Turks & Caicos cruise Nov. 17-21 and an eight-day eastern Caribbean voyage Nov. 21-29.

            Then, beginning Nov. 29, the ship will embark on a series of 10 seven-day eastern Caribbean voyages featuring four highly popular ports of call, including Casa de Campo/La Romana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Nassau, The Bahamas.

            “Carnival Splendor features an exceptional number of innovative, guest-driven amenities that represent the continuing evolution of the ‘Fun Ship’ vacation experience,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “We’re delighted to bring this spectacular new ship to Port Everglades, a valued business partner that provides a convenient, close-to-home departure point for our guests.”

Cahill noted that, including Fort Lauderdale, Carnival sails from 14 U.S. homeports – the most in cruising.

             “We are delighted that Carnival selected Port Everglades for the U.S. debut of the Carnival Splendor,” said Port Everglades Director Phillip C. Allen.  “We estimate that this new ship will bring 80,000 cruise passengers to Broward County and will generate approximately $34 million in our community.”

            As the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed, Carnival Splendor offers a host of on-board facilities and features, highlighted by a 21,000-square-foot “Cloud 9 Spa” — the largest in the fleet.  The expansive two-level health club includes a thalassotherapy pool, a thermal suite and 17 private treatment rooms.  Surrounding the facility are 68 exclusive staterooms and suites – a first for the line.

            Dining options include two two-level formal dining rooms, a 1,400-seat poolside eatery with a 24-hour pizzeria and an elegant reservations-only supper club.

            Further bolstering Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader carrying 600,000 children annually, Carnival Splendor offers a wide range of kid-friendly amenities, including a 5,500-square-foot play area – the largest in the fleet — part of the top-rated “Camp Carnival” program.  Older kids can enjoy “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year-olds and “Club O2,” for ages 15-17, with programming and facilities for each age group.

            Carnival Splendor also houses 1,503 staterooms, including hundreds of balcony cabins and several levels of suites. All Carnival Splendor accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high-quality linens and pillows.  

            Carnival Splendor originally debuted in Europe in July, and following its Fort Lauderdale–based program, will operate a series of 14- to 18-day South America cruises – a first for Carnival.  The ship will then launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning in March 2009.

            For additional information and reservations on Carnival Splendor or any other vessel in the “Fun Ship” fleet, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

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           Carnival Cruise Lines led the way once again in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s “Reader Choice Awards,” winning in nine different categories, including two new categories – Best Web Site and Best Mexican Itineraries.

            Porthole Cruise Magazine’s “Readers Choice Awards” are determined by thousands of the publication’s readers who vote on their favorite cruise line in a wide variety of categories. Since the awards were established in 1999, Carnival has taken home an unprecedented 101 “Readers Choice Awards” – the most of any cruise line. 

            Carnival’s 2008 “Readers Choice Awards” include:

• Best Megaship (Carnival Freedom)
• Best Children’s Programs
• Best Value-for-the-Money
• Best Short-Duration Cruise
• Best Shore Excursions
• Best Web Site
• Best Main Dining Room Cuisine
• Best Entertainment
• Best Mexican Itineraries

            “Carnival is truly honored by the consistent recognition over the past nine years by the readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine,” said Lynn Torrent, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and guest services. “Winning so many awards – in so many different categories – is a wonderful validation of our efforts to provide guests with fun and memorable vacations at affordable prices.”

            “Carnival Cruise Lines continues to shine in categories that run the gamut,” said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine. “Whether on board or on shore, Carnival is a leader in the cruise industry, and our readers clearly recognize that. I congratulate them on all of their much-deserved wins.”            

            Established in 1993, Porthole Cruise Magazine is a consumer publication offering readers a variety of information about cruising including ship reviews, news, details on popular ports of call and travel tips.

            Carnival is the world’s largest and most popular cruise line, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages of three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America.  The line currently has two 130,000-ton ships on order — Carnival Dream, set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, and Carnival Magic, scheduled to enter service in June 2011.

            For additional information on Carnival’s “Fun Ship” vacations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

            For more information on Porthole Cruise Magazine, visit www.porthole.com

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           Underscoring the increasing popularity of balcony and suite accommodations, Carnival recently completed the construction of two expansive new 750-square-foot suites aboard the Carnival Liberty.  

            The newly completed suites — the largest in the “Fun Ship” fleet — feature a new cabin configuration with a separate bedroom, expansive living area and two bathrooms.

            Located in the ship’s forward section on Deck 9, the deluxe penthouse suites can accommodate up to five guests – rare in cruise industry staterooms – and include two twin beds that convert to a king, a sofa bed and two pull-down upper beds.           

            The Carnival Liberty currently offers seven-day Caribbean cruises departing from Miami and in April 2009 will introduce new week-long Western and Exotic Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

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          Carnival Cruise Lines broke open the world’s largest piñata yesterday in Philadelphia and is donating its entire contents – 8,000 pounds of candy - to local non-profit organizations, including Philabundance, the YMCA, Ronald McDonald House, Dignity Housing,The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Travelers Aid Family Residence Center, among others.

            The candy had been housed within a six-story piñata in South Philadelphia since a television commercial shoot and a “Fun Crowd” event for the public took place there last week.

            Verified as the world’s largest by Guinness World Records last week, the jumbo-sized piñata stood at 60 feet, 4 inches long, 23 feet, 10.5 inches wide and 61 feet, 10.25 inches tall and was the highlight of a block party the cruise line held for local residents.

            Although the piñata was scheduled to be broken open during the event, it was postponed due to safety concerns based on an unexpectedly large number of attendees.

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                The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream achieved a significant construction milestone when it was “floated out” from its outfitting quay at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.  The 3,646-passenger SuperLiner – the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed – is set to debut in September 2009.

                The initial stages of a cruise ship’s construction take place in a dry dock facility.  Once exterior outfitting is completed, the dry dock is filled with water and the ship is “floated out” and moved to a wet dock facility where construction continues.

                Carnival Dream will usher in an exciting new era in cruising, offering a host of innovative facilities and features. These will include a new concept in entertainment called the Ocean Plaza; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend out over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories that should hold particular appeal to families. 

                Other features include an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa – Carnival’s largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date – along with expansive open deck areas that will house a tropical, resort-style main pool with a Seaside Theatre LED screen, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and numerous other features.

                Carnival Dream is scheduled to enter service Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia) followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Civitavecchia to New York Oct. 27 – Nov. 12, 2009.  The ship will then operate two eight-day voyages from New York before repositioning to Port Canaveral, Fla., to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 5, 2009.

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Carnival Cruise Lines broke a Guinness Record for the world’s largest piñata during a Piñata Block Party event in Philadelphia on Sunday, Nov. 2.  According to an onsite Guinness adjudicator, the giant mock donkey measured 60 feet, 4 inches long; 23 feet, 10.5 inches wide and 61 feet, 10.25 inches tall.  The event also featured a variety of entertainment and activities, along with free food and giveaway items, including five seven-day Caribbean cruises from Baltimore on the Carnival Pride.  The event was designed to kick-off the cruise line’s new branding campaign as well as serve as the basis for an upcoming TV commercial.  The actual breaking open of the piñata was postponed due to safety concerns based on an unexpectedly large number of attendees.

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           Participants in the second “John Heald Bloggers Cruise” – taking place aboard the newly refurbished Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans in February 2009 – will not only enjoy five fun-filled days sailing with the popular senior cruise director, but they can also make a difference in the lives of local residents.

            The “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” will take place in New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, the day prior to the departure of the second annual cruise – a five-day voyage to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico, operating Feb. 7-12, 2009.

            Partnering with the city’s Beacon of Hope Resource Center, “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” participants will clear debris and plant trees, helping to spruce up a neighborhood in New Orleans that sustained significant damage from Hurricane Katrina.

            Carnival is also partnering with Maison St. Charles Hotel & Suites to provide one- and two-night pre-cruise land stays at special rates for “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” participants.

            “I invite everyone to join me in helping the people of New Orleans and we look forward to working with the Beacon of Hope Resource Center in helping to beautify this magnificent city,” Heald said. “Once on board, we’ll enjoy Carnival Fantasy’s ‘Evolutions of Fun’ upgrades, as well as special events and shows just for my blogging friends. It’s going to be a brilliant cruise and I can’t wait to see you there,” he added.

            Added Heather Huth, director of volunteers for the Beacon of Hope Resource Center, “Our goal is to create an environment that encourages our residents to return home.  Although we are proud of how far we’ve come, there is still a long way to go. We are always in need of volunteer service and truly appreciate Carnival’s role in New Orleans’ continued recovery efforts.”

            Following the hands-on charity activity, “Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day” participants will be the guests of honor at a cocktail reception hosted by Heald which will serve as a kick-off event for the voyage.

            During the five-day cruise on Carnival Fantasy, Heald will host a number of exclusive events, including a Welcome Aboard reception, trivia contests, question-and-answer sessions and even an exclusive “Tea Time with John” session. 

            Special photo opportunities with Heald will be available as well. A variety of special giveaways and logo items also will be provided to all “Bloggers Cruise” participants, and Heald will, of course, be submitting posts to his blog throughout the voyage.  

            Carnival Fantasy was selected as the venue for the second “Bloggers Cruise” as it is the latest “Fun Ship” to undergo all phases of the line’s “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program, which has resulted in a total transformation of the 2,056-passenger SuperLiner.

            The upgrades include a “Carnival WaterWorks” aqua park with a 300-foot-long water slide, dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus, along with “Serenity,” an adults-only retreat located aft and featuring comfortable chaise lounges and chairs and two oversized whirlpools.

            The mid-ship pool was renovated and now offers a distinctly tropical ambiance, with thatched roofing, colorful umbrellas and other design elements. These renovations complement the first phase of the program, which included extensive refurbishments to a variety of public areas, as well as all staterooms and suites.

            Reservations are currently being accepted for the Bloggers Cruise aboard the Carnival Fantasy Feb. 7-12, 2009, as well as the pre-cruise land stay at the Maison St. Charles Hotel & Suites. Participants must request fare code CPBL/FPBL when booking the cruise to be included in the 2009 Bloggers Cruise events.

            For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

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Carnival Cruise Lines successfully set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest beach ball during a “Fun Crowd” event hosted by the cruise line in downtown Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008.  Two of the giant beach balls, officially measuring 36 feet in diameter as determined by a professional surveyor, were dropped from the tops of buildings and into a crowd of more than 2,500 people.  At approximately 1 p.m., Guinness adjudicator Danny Girton, Jr. officially announced that the record had been set.

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