CARNIVAL INSPIRATION’S YEAR-ROUND SHORT CRUISES FROM LONG BEACH OFFER FUN, CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABILITY 

MIAMI – The 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration, the newest and largest “Fun Ship” to operate short cruises from Long Beach, offers a truly unique vacation experience, with a host of “resort-style” amenities and an exciting array of stunning public rooms and facilities, each with a character all its own. 

The 70,367-ton vessel offers year-round three- and four-day cruises from Long Beach. On this route, three-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada, while four-day cruises depart Mondays and call at Ensenada and Catalina Island.  

In addition to a diversity of “themed” lounges, bars, and nightspots, the Carnival Inspiration offers myriad full-service and casual dining choices, an on-board health and fitness facility, a supervised kids and teen program, and a golf program offering golf excursions and personalized lessons.

PUBLIC ROOMS AND AREAS
Carnival Inspiration features a variety of dramatic spaces inspired by the arts and designed by Carnival’s award-winning interior architect Joe Farcus.  These areas range in style from the Shakespeare Library, whose ceiling is lined with some of the playwright’s most famous quotations, to Rock and Roll, a sizzling dance club featuring a guitar-shaped  dance floor, dozens of television  monitors and a state-of-the-art sound and light system.

Other rooms include the Avant-Garde Lounge, with statues and wall designs that celebrate the cubist art form; the Rhapsody in Blue piano bar inspired by the George Gershwin classic featuring design highlights that include a billowing ceiling of silky blue fabric kept continuously flowing by a hidden mechanism; and the Paris Lounge, an elaborate multi-decked show lounge housing lavish revues.  All of these lounges are easily accessible via the ship’s seven-deck-high Grand Atrium, which offers its own art nouveau-inspired design.

DINING OPTIONS
Dining is considered a highlight of a “Fun Ship” cruise and the Carnival Inspiration offers a wide variety of delectable formal and casual choices to suit any taste.

In addition to the full-service Carnivale and Mardi Gras formal dining rooms featuring extensive menus and wine lists, the Carnival Inspiration includes the Brasserie Bar & Grill, a casual poolside eatery offering full breakfast and lunch buffets, a 24-hour pizzeria and a “Seaview Bistro” alternative dinner-time service. Complimentary 24-hour stateroom service is available and vegetarian and children’s selections are featured on all dining room menus. 

The Carnival Inspiration also features Spa Carnival Fare, gourmet-style health-conscious menu items that are lower in calories, cholesterol, sodium and fat content.

ON-BOARD PROGRAMS
CAMP CARNIVAL,’ ‘CIRCLE C,’ ‘CLUB O2’ – Building upon Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader carrying 625,000 children annually fleetwide, Carnival Inspiration 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. 

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 – 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 Inspiration’s main pool on Lido Deck – which includes a swimming pool and two large whirlpools – was totally transformed to feature a distinct resort-style ambiance. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing and colorful tile work create a decidedly tropical feel.

ADULTS ONLY RETREAT- Another new feature on the Carnival Inspiration is Serenity, the line’s popular adults-only retreat  located aft on Promenade Deck. With design elements that include teak 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. 

‘HEALTH AND FITNESS FACILITY’ – Fitness has become an important part of everyday life and guests sailing on the Carnival Inspiration can take advantage of the ship’s updated 12,000-square-foot Spa Carnival facility, which features exercise equipment, a gymnasium, and body and facial treatments, including a number of exotic “European-style” therapies. A salon offering a variety of hair, nail and make-up services is available, as well.

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

INTERNET CAFÉ, WI-FI ACCESS, CELL PHONE SERVICE – Like all “Fun Ships,” Carnival Inspiration 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.

###

CARNIVAL INSPIRATION’S YEAR-ROUND SHORT CRUISES FROM TAMPA OFFER FUN, CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABILITY 

             MIAMI – The 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration, the newest and largest “Fun Ship” to operate short cruises from Tampa, offers a truly unique vacation experience, with a host of “resort-style” amenities and an exciting array of stunning public rooms and facilities, each with a character all its own. 

            The 70,367-ton vessel offers year-round four- and five-day cruises from Tampa. On this route, four-day cruises to Cozumel depart Thursdays, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Grand Cayman and Cozumel.  

            Following a 35-day scheduled dry dock in September 2007, the Carnival Inspiration emerged with a host of new amenities and facilities, including Carnival WaterWorks, an aqua park with a 300-foot-long water slide, dual-racing slides and water spray apparatus; Serenity, a secluded adults-only area located aft with two whirlpools; and a totally redesigned “resort-style” main pool on Lido Deck.

            In addition to a diversity of “themed” lounges, bars, and nightspots, the Carnival Inspiration offers myriad full-service and casual dining choices, an on-board health and fitness facility, a supervised kids and teen program, and a golf program offering golf excursions and personalized lessons.

            PUBLIC ROOMS AND AREAS
            Carnival Inspiration features a variety of dramatic spaces inspired by the arts and designed by Carnival’s award-winning interior architect Joe Farcus.  These areas range in style from the Shakespeare Library, whose ceiling is lined with some of the playwright’s most famous quotations, to Rock and Roll, a sizzling dance club featuring a guitar-shaped  dance floor, dozens of television  monitors and a state-of-the-art sound and light system.

            Other rooms include the Avant-Garde Lounge, with statues and wall designs that celebrate the cubist art form; the Rhapsody in Blue piano bar inspired by the George Gershwin classic featuring design highlights that include a billowing ceiling of silky blue fabric kept continuously flowing by a hidden mechanism; and the Paris Lounge, an elaborate multi-decked show lounge housing lavish revues.  All of these lounges are easily accessible via the ship’s seven-deck-high Grand Atrium, which offers its own art nouveau-inspired design.

            DINING OPTIONS
            Dining is considered a highlight of a “Fun Ship” cruise and the Carnival Inspiration offers a wide variety of delectable formal and casual choices to suit any taste.

            In addition to the full-service Carnivale and Mardi Gras formal dining rooms featuring extensive menus and wine lists, the Carnival Inspiration includes the Brasserie Bar & Grill, a casual poolside eatery offering full breakfast and lunch buffets, a 24-hour pizzeria and a “Seaview Bistro” alternative dinner-time service. Complimentary 24-hour stateroom service is available and vegetarian and children’s selections are featured on all dining room menus. 

            The Carnival Inspiration also features Spa Carnival Fare, gourmet-style health-conscious menu items that are lower in calories, cholesterol, sodium and fat content.

            ON-BOARD PROGRAMS
            CAMP CARNIVAL,’ ‘CIRCLE C,’ ‘CLUB O2’ – Building upon Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader carrying 625,000 children annually fleetwide, Carnival Inspiration 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. 

            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 – 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 Inspiration’s main pool on Lido Deck – which includes a swimming pool and two large whirlpools – was totally transformed to feature a distinct resort-style ambiance. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing and colorful tile work create a decidedly tropical feel.

            ADULTS ONLY RETREAT- Another new feature on the Carnival Inspiration is Serenity, the line’s popular adults-only retreat located aft on Promenade Deck. With design elements that include teak 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. 

            ‘HEALTH AND FITNESS FACILITY’ – Fitness has become an important part of everyday life and guests sailing on the Carnival Inspiration can take advantage of the ship’s updated 12,000-square-foot Spa Carnival facility, which features exercise equipment, a gymnasium, and body and facial treatments, including a number of exotic “European-style” therapies. A salon offering a variety of hair, nail and make-up services is available, as well.

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

            INTERNET CAFÉ, WI-FI ACCESS, CELL PHONE SERVICE – Like all “Fun Ships,” Carnival Inspiration 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.

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

###

MEMPHIS, TN – April 9, 2009 –Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., Sixthman, LLC, and Carnival Cruise Lines today proudly announce the public on sale of The Elvis Cruise, now entering its third year of sailing as a music-themed cruise. This is the only officially licensed cruise by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. The Elvis Cruise will set sail on the 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration November 12-16, 2009, round-trip from Tampa, Florida, calling at Cozumel, Mexico.

“The third installment of the Elvis Cruise demonstrates the success of the two previous events and the commitment of Elvis Presley Enterprises, to take Elvis and his legacy to new and exciting places by allowing fans to experience his music in a unique setting,” said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

While the primary focus of the cruise is Elvis and live entertainment, guests will also enjoy the offerings and culture that go along with a visit to Cozumel. The vibrant reefs of the Mexican isle are a magnet for snorkelers and divers while a brief trip inland allows passengers to explore the rich Mayan heritage and landmarks around the island. Participants can also enjoy all that the amenities and facilities aboard the “Fun Ship” Carnival Inspiration, which last year underwent an extensive multi-million-dollar refurbishment that saw the addition of a water park, adults-only retreat, resort-style pool and numerous other features.

“This cruise offers both Elvis and music fans a quality live entertainment experience along with a relaxing fun filled vacation and we are excited to bring together this community,” said Andy Levine, owner of Sixthman, LLC.

“This marks the third time that Carnival Cruise Lines has hosted ‘The Elvis Cruise’ and we’re very proud to serve as the venue and to partner with Sixthman and Elvis Presley Enterprises for this unforgettable tribute to a legendary music pioneer,” said Cherie Weinstein, Carnival’s Vice President of Group Business Development.

Cabins for The Elvis Cruise are now on sale and start at $599 per person based on double occupancy plus taxes and fees. For more information, go to

www.theelviscruise.com

Carnival Inspiration – the first “Fun Ship” to feature the line’s hugely popular “Evolutions of Fun” enhancements – will be showcased on Travel Channel’s “Samantha Brown: Great Cruise Weekend” which premiers Thursday, June 19 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

The one-hour show is hosted by Travel Channel personality Samantha Brown who takes viewers on a tour of the many new features aboard the 2,052-passenger SuperLiner, including its expansive Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only retreat and the redesigned main pool.

A highlight of the show is Brown’s exhilarating ride down the 300-foot-long tube water slide which serves as the centerpiece of the Carnival Inspiration’s massive water park.

During the show, Brown also takes time to play a hand of blackjack in the casino, indulges in a relaxing treatment in the renovated Spa Carnival facility, and even takes a turn as the featured singer in the ship’s piano bar.

Other areas showcased within the program include Carnival Inspiration’s myriad full-service and casual dining options and wide variety of entertainment and live music venues, including an elegant multi-level theatre showcasing lavish revues.

Cameras also followed Brown as she participated in a dune buggy excursion in Cozumel, one of the featured ports on Carnival Inspiration’s year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from Tampa.

Following its premier episode June 19, “Samantha Brown: Great Cruise Weekend” will have an encore airing June 27 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on Travel Channel.

Carnival Inspiration is among the line’s 22-vessel “Fun Ship” fleet which operates three- to 18-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, and South America. The line has three new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011. The first of those, the 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, is slated to debut in Europe July 2, 2008.

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

Through the “Read My Valentine” on-line contest, which runs from Jan. 14 – Feb. 14, 2008, couples can recount a romantic story about their partner on any topic they’d choose – from an interesting “how we met” tale to a memorable Valentine’s Day gesture or their favorite romantic memory from a “Fun Ship” cruise.

The top five entries will be selected by a team of judges from Carnival and then posted on carnival.com where visitors to the site can vote for their number one choice. The contest winner will receive a four-day western Caribbean cruise for two in the luxurious owner’s suite aboard the 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination from Miami or Carnival Inspiration from Tampa. 

Both of these ships recently underwent multi-million-dollar upgrades as part of Carnival’s extensive “Evolutions of Fun” shipboard refurbishment program and feature such new amenities as a Serenity adults-only area, redesigned main pool, Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, and renovated 12,000-square-foot Spa Carnival health club.

The winner will also have his or her story featured in the summer 2008 edition of Currents, Carnival’s travel publication mailed to more than three million of the line’s past guests.

“Valentine’s Day is a wonderful reminder to people to take the time to express their love for one another. And with Carnival such a popular venue for couples to celebrate special occasions, the ‘Read My Valentine’ promotion is a fun and engaging way to commemorate this treasured day,” said Vicki Freed, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and guest services.

In addition to being featured on flash banners on Carnival’s Web site, the “Read My Valentine” contest will be promoted via e-mail blasts, CarnivalConnections.com, the line’s online marketing community, as well as on the blog of Carnival Senior Cruise Director John Heald (accessible via carnival.com or johnhealdsblog.com).

Official rules for the contest are posted on carnival.com. 

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, New England, Canada, Bermuda, Europe, the Greek Isles and South America.

The line currently has three new ships on order, including the 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, set to launch Carnival’s first Northern European cruise program July 13, 2008, and the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic – to be the largest “Fun Ships” ever constructed when they enter service in October 2009 and June 2011, respectively.

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

###

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:  CCL; NYSE:  CUK), is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines.  Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn.  Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.