CARNIVAL’S 2,056-PASSENGER CARNIVAL FANTASY OFFERS YEAR-ROUND FIVE- TO SEVEN-DAY CRUISES FROM CHARLESTON, S.C.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 70,000-ton Carnival Fantasy will launch a new schedule of five- and seven-day voyages from Charleston, S.C., May 18 – the first year-round cruise program from that port.

On this route, five-day voyages departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will call at Nassau and Freeport. Seven-day voyages depart Saturdays and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.  

Following a 28-day scheduled dry dock in September 2008, Carnival Fantasy emerged with a host of new amenities and facilities as part of the line’s $350 million “Evolutions of Fun” ship refurbishment initiative for its eight Fantasy-class vessels.  New features include a Carnival WaterWorks aqua park with a 300-foot-long water slide, dual-racing slides and water spray apparatus; Serenity, an adults-only area located aft with two whirlpools; and a redesigned resort-style main pool on Lido Deck.

The namesake vessel in the line’s Fantasy-class, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy offers a diversity of themed lounges, bars and nightspots, myriad full-service and casual dining choices, an on-board health and fitness facility, supervised programs for kids and teens, a comprehensive golf program and spacious accommodations.  

PUBLIC ROOMS AND AREAS
Designed by Carnival’s award-winning architect Joe Farcus, Carnival Fantasy’s interior features an abstract décor that varies greatly throughout the various public rooms and areas. Highlights include the Cleopatra piano bar, which pays homage to ancient Egypt with sarcophagi, life-size Egyptian sculptures and hieroglyphics, and the Cats Lounge, inspired by the hit Broadway musical and offering guests a unique “cats eye view” with a décor of oversized cans, kitchen utensils and food containers.

The ship’s library, the Pavilion, offers a traditional setting of mahogany-and-glass bookcases and walls adorned with original artwork, while the refined Majestic Bar, a popular spot for before- or after-dinner cocktails and people watching, features a grand marble staircase and gilt-trimmed columns leading down to the Jubilee Dining Room.

Other public areas include Electricity, a pulsating dance club with a state-of-the-art sound and light system; the Universe Lounge, a multi-level theater showcasing Las Vegas-style performances; and Via Marina, a Roman-themed promenade providing easy and convenient access to the ship’s various lounges and bars.

DINING OPTIONS
With dining such an important part of the Carnival vacation experience Carnival Fantasy offers a wide variety of formal and casual options, including the full-service Celebration and Jubilee formal dining rooms and the poolside Windows on the Sea Bar & Grill, a casual eatery serving full breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and a 24-hour pizzeria.  All Carnival Fantasy’s dining venues feature delicious vegetarian dishes and children’s menus, as well as Spa Carnival Fare, delicious health-conscious menu items that are lower in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories. The ship also features a patisserie, a Mongolian wok and rotisserie, as well as complimentary 24-hour room service. 

ON-BOARD PROGRAMS
CAMP CARNIVAL, CIRCLE ‘C,’ CLUB O2 – Building upon Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader carrying 670,000 children annually fleetwide, Carnival Fantasy offers organized programs for three different age groups – Camp Carnival for 2- to 11-year-olds, Circle “C” for 12- to 14-year-olds, and Club O2 for 15- to 17-year-olds – with supervised activities and expansive, modern facilities for each. 

CARNIVAL WATERWORKS – A signature element of the Fantasy-class upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, a fun-filled aqua park located on Verandah Deck. Designed with an all-ages appeal, WaterWorks encompasses a 300-foot-long twisting, turning water slide – among the longest and most elaborate at sea – along with dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides, and a wide variety of water spray toys.

In addition, Carnival Fantasy’s main pool on Lido Deck – which includes a swimming pool and two large whirlpools – features a distinct resort-style ambiance. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing and colorful tile work that creates a decidedly tropical feel

ADULTS ONLY RETREAT- Another new feature on the Carnival Fantasy is Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat located aft on Promenade Deck. With design elements that include teak-style decking, large umbrellas and thatched roofing, Serenity provides an ocean-going oasis for relaxation and comfort.  Guests can enjoy icy cocktails and frozen drinks while relaxing in plush chaise lounges and chairs. 

‘SPA CARNIVAL’ – Fitness has become an important part of people’s daily lives and guests sailing on the Carnival Fantasy can take advantage of the ship’s newly renovated health and fitness facility, “Spa Carnival.”  Among the largest facilities of its kind, the 12,000-square-foot “floating health club” features new private treatment rooms and updated exercise equipment, as well as a mirrored aerobics room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, steam rooms and saunas, and a sophisticated menu of body and facial treatments, including a number of exotic “European-style” therapies.  Also featured is a one-eighth-mile jogging track, along with a beauty salon offering a variety of hair, nail and make-up services.

INTERNET CAFÉ, WI-FI ACCESS, CELL PHONE SERVICE – Like all “Fun Ships,” Carnival Fantasy offers an Internet café with private workstations featuring flat-screen monitors, along with Wi-Fi access available in virtually all public rooms and areas.  Guests can also make and receive cell phone calls whether the ship is at sea or in port.

SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
As part of Carnival’s fleetwide stateroom enhancements, all of the Carnival Fantasy’s 1,028 staterooms feature the new “Carnival Comfort Bed” sleep system, featuring plush mattresses, luxurious duvets, fluffy pillows and high quality sheets and linens. All accommodations include terrycloth bathrobes and offer in-cabin amenity kits with a variety of brand-name product samples for men and women. 

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CARNIVAL’S 2,056-PASSENGER CARNIVAL FANTASY OFFERS YEAR-ROUND FIVE- TO SEVEN-DAY CRUISES FROM CHARLESTON, S.C.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 70,000-ton Carnival Fantasy will launch a new schedule of five-, six- and seven-day voyages from Charleston, S.C., May 18 – the first year-round cruise program from that port.

On this route, five-day voyages departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will call at Nassau and Freeport. Six-day voyages departing Saturdays will visit Freeport, Nassau and Key West, Fla.  Seven-day voyages depart Saturdays and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.  Carnival Fantasy will also offer six six-day Bermuda voyages departing April 23, May 19, June 16, Aug. 25, Sept. 15 and Oct. 6, 2011.  Carnival is the only cruise line offering Bermuda cruises from Charleston.

Following a 28-day scheduled dry dock in September 2008, Carnival Fantasy emerged with a host of new amenities and facilities as part of the line’s $350 million “Evolutions of Fun” ship refurbishment initiative for its eight Fantasy-class vessels.  New features include a Carnival WaterWorks aqua park with a 300-foot-long water slide, dual-racing slides and water spray apparatus; Serenity, an adults-only area located aft with two whirlpools; and a redesigned resort-style main pool on Lido Deck.

The namesake vessel in the line’s Fantasy-class, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy offers a diversity of themed lounges, bars and nightspots, myriad full-service and casual dining choices, an on-board health and fitness facility, supervised programs for kids and teens, a comprehensive golf program and spacious accommodations.  

PUBLIC ROOMS AND AREAS
Designed by Carnival’s award-winning architect Joe Farcus, Carnival Fantasy’s interior features an abstract décor that varies greatly throughout the various public rooms and areas. Highlights include the Cleopatra piano bar, which pays homage to ancient Egypt with sarcophagi, life-size Egyptian sculptures and hieroglyphics, and the Cats Lounge, inspired by the hit Broadway musical and offering guests a unique “cats eye view” with a décor of oversized cans, kitchen utensils and food containers.

The ship’s library, the Pavilion, offers a traditional setting of mahogany-and-glass bookcases and walls adorned with original artwork, while the refined Majestic Bar, a popular spot for before- or after-dinner cocktails and people watching, features a grand marble staircase and gilt-trimmed columns leading down to the Jubilee Dining Room.

Other public areas include Electricity, a pulsating dance club with a state-of-the-art sound and light system; the Universe Lounge, a multi-level theater showcasing Las Vegas-style performances; and Via Marina, a Roman-themed promenade providing easy and convenient access to the ship’s various lounges and bars.

DINING OPTIONS
With dining such an important part of the Carnival vacation experience Carnival Fantasy offers a wide variety of formal and casual options, including the full-service Celebration and Jubilee formal dining rooms and the poolside Windows on the Sea Bar & Grill, a casual eatery serving full breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and a 24-hour pizzeria.  All Carnival Fantasy’s dining venues feature delicious vegetarian dishes and children’s menus, as well as Spa Carnival Fare, delicious health-conscious menu items that are lower in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories. The ship also features a patisserie, a Mongolian wok and rotisserie, as well as complimentary 24-hour room service. 

ON-BOARD PROGRAMS
CAMP CARNIVAL, CIRCLE ‘C,’ CLUB O2 – Building upon Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader carrying 650,000 children annually fleetwide, Carnival Fantasy offers organized programs for three different age groups – Camp Carnival for 2- to 11-year-olds, Circle “C” for 12- to 14-year-olds, and Club O2 for 15- to 17-year-olds – with supervised activities and expansive, modern facilities for each. 

CARNIVAL WATERWORKS – A signature element of the Fantasy-class upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, a fun-filled aqua park located on Verandah Deck. Designed with an all-ages appeal, WaterWorks encompasses a 300-foot-long twisting, turning water slide – among the longest and most elaborate at sea – along with dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides, and a wide variety of water spray toys.

In addition, Carnival Fantasy’s main pool on Lido Deck – which includes a swimming pool and two large whirlpools – features a distinct resort-style ambiance. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing and colorful tile work that creates a decidedly tropical feel

ADULTS ONLY RETREAT- Another new feature on the Carnival Fantasy is Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat located aft on Promenade Deck. With design elements that include teak-style decking, large umbrellas and thatched roofing, Serenity provides an ocean-going oasis for relaxation and comfort.  Guests can enjoy icy cocktails and frozen drinks while relaxing in plush chaise lounges and chairs. 

‘SPA CARNIVAL’ – Fitness has become an important part of people’s daily lives and guests sailing on the Carnival Fantasy can take advantage of the ship’s newly renovated health and fitness facility, “Spa Carnival.”  Among the largest facilities of its kind, the 12,000-square-foot “floating health club” features new private treatment rooms and updated exercise equipment, as well as a mirrored aerobics room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, steam rooms and saunas, and a sophisticated menu of body and facial treatments, including a number of exotic “European-style” therapies.  Also featured is a one-eighth-mile jogging track, along with a beauty salon offering a variety of hair, nail and make-up services.

INTERNET CAFÉ, WI-FI ACCESS, CELL PHONE SERVICE – Like all “Fun Ships,” Carnival Fantasy offers an Internet café with private workstations featuring flat-screen monitors, along with Wi-Fi access available in virtually all public rooms and areas.  Guests can also make and receive cell phone calls whether the ship is at sea or in port.

SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
As part of Carnival’s fleetwide stateroom enhancements, all of the Carnival Fantasy’s 1,028 staterooms feature the new “Carnival Comfort Bed” sleep system, featuring plush mattresses, luxurious duvets, fluffy pillows and high quality sheets and linens. All accommodations include terrycloth bathrobes and offer in-cabin amenity kits with a variety of brand-name product samples for men and women. 

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Earlier today, Carnival Cruise Lines began accepting reservations for a new series of seven-day western Caribbean voyages from Mobile, Ala., taking place next year.   

The new weeklong cruises will depart the Alabama Cruise Terminal May 8 and 15, July 3 and 10, and Oct. 23 and 30, 2010, and feature three tropical Caribbean ports of call:  Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico.  

Designed to complement the line’s popular four- and five-day schedule from Mobile, the new seven-day cruises will be offered aboard the Carnival Fantasy, which late last year underwent an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation which included an expansive Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, new Serenity adults-only retreat and redesigned tropical-themed main pool area.            

Carnival Fantasy’s new seven-day itinerary is the latest chapter in the line’s continued expansion at the Port of Mobile, which has garnered excellent consumer feedback since Carnival launched the port’s first year-round cruise program aboard the Holiday in 2004. Carnival Fantasy will replace the Holiday in November 2009, representing a 42 percent capacity increase.

In addition to the new open-deck upgrades, Carnival Fantasy’s suites, along with its 12,000-square-foot Spa Carnival facility and formal and casual dining venues, were renovated and cosmetic enhancements were made to virtually every public area. A new “Circle C” facility catering to 12- to 14-year-olds was added, as well.

The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy — which underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation last fall as part of the line’s “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement program — has been earning rave reviews from guests, travel agents and journalists alike.

The MSBNC.com article by Anita Dunham Potter entitled “Some Cruise Ships Get Better with Age” highlights the upgraded features and facilities of the 70,000-ton “Fun Ship.”

          Journalists sailing on the John Heald Bloggers Cruise aboard the Carnival Fantasy hosted a question-and-answer session for more than 150 Bloggers Cruise participants. 

            The panel was comprised of eight journalists, including:  Anita Dunham-Potter of MSNBC.com and expertcruiser.com; David Molyneaux of travelmaven.net; Paul Motter of cruisemates.com; freelance writers Lynn and Cele Seldon; Gene Sloan of USA Today; freelancer Alan Whitt; and Susan Young of southerncruising.com and Travel Agent Magazine.

            Moderated by Heald, the 90-minute session included spirited discussions on topics such as the state of the cruise industry, an overview of the Carnival product, and the future of the media and its role in today’s society.

            The media Q&A panel was one of a wide range of activities for participants in the Bloggers Cruise, which departed from New Orleans on Saturday and ends tomorrow. 

            The cruise gathered together hundreds of fans of Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald, whose popular blog has garnered nearly 4 million views since being launched in March 2007.

            Fans of John Heald’s blog gathered in New Orleans this weekend, to help spruce up a neighborhood park in the Big Easy.  More than 100 bloggers joined in the volunteer service day in advance of the Bloggers Cruise which is being held on a five-day cruise of the Carnival Fantasy.

            Teaming up with the Beacon of Hope Resource Center, a non-profit organization in New Orleans, the park was transformed with the volunteers painting benches, columns and lamp posts, and clearing debris throughout the facility.

            In addition to the “sweat equity” provided by the Bloggers Cruise volunteers, Carnival Cruise Lines donated $5,000 to the Beacon of Hope Resource Center to help fund future hands-on community service projects throughout the city.

            The John Heald Bloggers Cruise gathers together fans of the senior cruise director’s popular blog, which has attracted nearly 4 million views since being launched in March 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gImenBhkcm4