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.

           As part of Carnival Cruise Lines’ “Give Fun Back” radio promotion – which awarded deserving New Orleans residents with free “Fun Ship” cruises – Larenzo Carter, a detective for the New Orleans Police Department, was the guest of honor aboard the Carnival Fantasy, which operates four- and five-day cruises from New Orleans.

            Carter, whose VIP treatment included a multi-course lunch and a personal tour of the ship, is pictured here in Carnival Fantasy’s seven-deck-high atrium with Hotel Director Mark Hoffman.

            Carnival partnered with five New Orleans radio stations on the “Give Fun Back” promotion in which listeners could submit nominations for those individuals who deserve a Carnival vacation. 

            Carter, a resident of Kenner, La., was one of five winners selected to receive a free cruise.

           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.

           The newly rebuilt pier at the Puerta Maya Cruise Center in Cozumel, Mexico – closed since being damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005 – welcomed its first ships today when the 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy and 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy docked at the facility this morning.

            The $50 million cruise center, built and operated by Carnival Corporation & plc, features a new two-berth pier designed to withstand a threshold category 5 hurricane. The pier can accommodate any vessel among Carnival Corporation & plc’s various brands.   Puerta Maya Cruise Center also includes a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a transportation hub, and a new shore excursion pier. A pharmacy, convenience store and international phone center are also available.

            Today’s calls by the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Ecstasy are the first of 550 cruise ship visits scheduled for Puerta Maya over the next year. 

            Additionally, vessels from Carnival Corporation & plc brands will continue to utilize the other two piers in Cozumel. Collectively, these ships will bring an estimated 1.5 million visitors annually to Cozumel, who are expected to spend $126 million on the island each year.

          The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy has resumed its popular four- and five-day cruise schedule from New Orleans following a 28-day dry dock that included the addition of an expansive new water park, exclusive adults-only area,  redesigned main pool and a new “Circle C” facility for 12-to 14-year-olds.  

            The ship’s suites and dining venues were also renovated and new dining options such as a Mongolian wok and rotisserie were added.

            The new features are part of the line’s $250 million “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program for its eight Fantasy-class ships.

            In conjunction with the Carnival Fantasy’s resumption of service from New Orleans, the company has partnered with five New Orleans-based radio stations on a promotion called “Give Fun Back,” which kicks off Oct. 20 and is designed to reward deserving individuals with a “Fun Ship” cruise vacation. Based on nominations submitted by listeners, five winners will be selected, with each receiving a complimentary cruise on the Carnival Fantasy for up to four guests.

Exciting New Top-Deck Enhancements

            A signature element of Carnival Fantasy’s new “Evolutions of Fun” upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park towering over Verandah Deck. Designed with all-ages appeal, the sprawling, open-air facility includes a 300-foot-long spiral water slide – the longest at sea – along with twin 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus. 

            Located aft on Promenade Deck and offering magnificent ocean views is “Serenity,” an exclusive new adults-only retreat.  Intended as an oasis for relaxation and comfort, “Serenity” offers plush chaise lounges and chairs, colorful oversized umbrellas, and two large whirlpools.  Here, guests can sip a variety of icy cocktails and frozen drinks or enjoy a light meal or snack from the nearby Lido restaurant.

            The third element of the “Evolutions of Fun” top deck upgrades is a totally redesigned “resort-style” pool located mid-ship on Lido Deck featuring thatched roofing and large faux palm trees. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, comfortable deck chairs and a colorful tiled “beach” encircling the pool’s edge enhance the decidedly tropical ambiance.

New Dining Upgrades, ‘Circle C’ Center, Updated Suites

            The ship’s Celebration and Jubilee main dining rooms, as well as the causal poolside Windows on the Sea Bar & Grill, have been renovated with striking new interiors, and updated carpeting, tile work and furniture.  Windows on the Sea also features a new Mongolian wok where guests can select their choice of meat, vegetables, and noodles and have the dish prepared before their eyes. A rotisserie has been added, as well, with roasted chicken, beef, and lamb, along with a variety of side dishes and accompaniments.

A new “Circle C” facility catering to the 12- to 14-year-olds has also been incorporated into Atlantic Deck forward. The center features a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles.

Cosmetic enhancements were also made to other shipboard areas, including renovated guest corridors and public bathrooms, a brand new décor and technical enhancements to the Electricity dance club, a host of new artwork, and updated furniture and fixtures in many staterooms.

Additionally, all of the ship’s 54 suites were remodeled with updated wall coverings, carpeting, tile work and lighting fixtures, as well as new bathrooms.  A number of connecting staterooms were incorporated, as well.

Future Plans

            The namesake vessel of the 70,000-ton Fantasy-class, Carnival Fantasy currently operates four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans.  On this route, four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Cozumel and Progreso. 

            Carnival Fantasy will sail from New Orleans through Nov. 5, 2009, then reposition to Mobile, Ala., to operate a special six-day cruise departing Nov. 10 followed by the launch of year-round four- and five-day service from that port Nov. 16.  Carnival Fantasy will be replaced in New Orleans by the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph in Nov. 2009.

Reservations

        Carnival is currently accepting reservations on the Carnival Fantasy’s departures from both New Orleans and Mobile.  For additional information and reservations, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

           Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy and 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will be the first cruise ships to call at the newly rebuilt Puerta Maya Cruise Center in Cozumel, Mexico, when it re-opens on Thursday, Oct. 16 – nearly three years to the day after being severely damaged by Hurricane Wilma.

            Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Fantasy visit Cozumel as part of the vessels’ year-round four- and five-day Western Caribbean cruise programs.  

            Operated by Carnival Cruise Lines’ parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, Puerta Maya’s expansive cruise center houses 42 different retail outlets offering apparel, fine jewelry, artwork and other merchandise from a number of recognizable retailers, as well as a wide variety of dining options.

            There is also a newly constructed shore excursion pier, separate from the main pier, which allows for quick and convenient access to all water-bound excursions, as well as water-based transportation to and from the facility.

            The calls by the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Ecstasy will be the first of 550 cruise-ship visits at Puerta Maya over the next year.  Collectively, these ships will bring an estimated 1.5 million visitors annually to Cozumel, who are expected to spend $126 million on the island each year.