CARNIVAL PRIDE’S YEAR-ROUND DEPARTURES FROM BALTIMORE OFFER FUN, CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABILITY 

MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride launched Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program April 27, 2009.  

The Carnival Pride operates seven-day cruises departing Sundays. The ship alternate weekly between the Exotic eastern Caribbean itinerary calling at Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Freeport and the Bahamas/Florida itinerary visiting Port Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport. Each voyage also includes three days at sea.

The 960-foot-long Carnival Pride offers a host of “resort-style” amenities and an exciting array of public rooms and areas enhanced by stunning décor that pays homage to “icons of beauty” that exist in art and architecture. 

In addition to a diversity of themed bars, lounges and nightspots, Carnival Pride features myriad full-service and casual dining choices, an expansive health and fitness facility, supervised programs for children in three age groups, and all-inclusive wedding packages.

PUBLIC ROOMS AND AREAS
Carnival Pride features a variety of dramatic spaces patterned after the “icons of beauty” theme and designed by Carnival’s award-winning interior architect Joe Farcus.  These areas range in style from Taj Mahal, an elegant Indian-themed theater that serves as the venue for Carnival’s legendary production shows; Starry Night Lounge, evocative of the classic Vincent Van Gogh painting of the same name; and the Ivory Bar, a piano bar that pays homage to Japanese ivory carvings called netsuke with design elements that include resin-cast reproductions of ivory carvings, bonsai trees and pagoda-like lanterns.

Other rooms include Butterflies Lounge, which, like the name implies, is resplendent with images of the beautiful winged creatures throughout the room; and Beauties, a pulsating two-level dance club with a high-tech lighting and sound system and unique interior design featuring multi-colored male and female torsos.

DINING OPTIONS
Dining is considered by many to be the highlight of a “Fun Ship” cruise vacation and Carnival Pride offers a wide variety of delectable choices to suit any taste.   In addition to the full-service two-level Normandie restaurant featuring expansive menus and wine lists, Carnival Pride includes Mermaids Grille, a casual poolside eatery offering breakfast, lunch and dinner alternatives and a 24-hour pizzeria.  David’s, an elegant reservations-recommended steakhouse at the top of a soaring nine-deck-high atrium and accessible by a glass elevator, is also available. Other dining options include a sushi bar serving authentic Asian delicacies and the Piazza Café offering coffees and sweets. Complimentary 24-hour stateroom service is also available, and vegetarian, children’s and health-conscious menu selections are featured on all dining room menus.

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 Pride 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 Pride also houses four swimming pools, including a children’s wading pool and an aft pool offering a twisting, turning corkscrew water slide. Special children’s menus, are also available, along with stroller rental and babysitting services. 

‘SPA CARNIVAL’ – Fitness has become an important part of people’s daily lives and guests sailing on Carnival Pride can take advantage of the ship’s expansive health and fitness facility, “Spa Carnival.”  Among the largest facilities of its kind, the 14,500-square-foot “floating health club” offers a full gymnasium housing the latest exercise equipment, 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.  The ship also features four swimming pools and a one-eighth-mile jogging track.  A salon offering a variety of hair, nail and make-up services is available, as well.

SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS — As part of Carnival’s fleetwide stateroom enhancements, all of the Carnival Pride’s 1,062 staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system, featuring plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and duvet covers, fluffy pillows and high quality linens. Eighty percent of the Carnival Pride’s cabins offer an ocean view with 80 percent of those featuring private balconies.  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 Pride 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.

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CARNIVAL PRIDE’S YEAR-ROUND DEPARTURES FROM BALTIMORE OFFER FUN, CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABILITY 

             MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride launched Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program April 27, 2009.  

            On this route, the Carnival Pride will operate a series of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises through September 6, 2009, visiting a wide variety of ports including Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas; Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island; Port Canaveral, Fla. (near Orlando); and Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

            The Carnival Pride will then switch to year-round seven-day cruises departing Sundays. The ship will alternate weekly between the Exotic eastern Caribbean itinerary calling at Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Freeport and the Bahamas/Florida itinerary visiting Port Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport. Each voyage also includes three days at sea.

            The 960-foot-long Carnival Pride offers a host of “resort-style” amenities and an exciting array of public rooms and areas enhanced by stunning décor that pays homage to “icons of beauty” that exist in art and architecture. 

            In addition to a diversity of themed bars, lounges and nightspots, Carnival Pride features myriad full-service and casual dining choices, an expansive health and fitness facility, supervised programs for children in three age groups, all-inclusive wedding packages and a golf program offering golf excursions and personalized lessons.

            PUBLIC ROOMS AND AREAS
            Carnival Pride features a variety of dramatic spaces patterned after the “icons of beauty” theme and designed by Carnival’s award-winning interior architect Joe Farcus.  These areas range in style from Taj Mahal, an elegant Indian-themed theater that serves as the venue for Carnival’s legendary production shows; Starry Night Lounge, evocative of the classic Vincent Van Gogh painting of the same name; and the Ivory Bar, a piano bar that pays homage to Japanese ivory carvings called netsuke with design elements that include resin-cast reproductions of ivory carvings, bonsai trees and pagoda-like lanterns.

            Other rooms include Butterflies Lounge, which, like the name implies, is resplendent with images of the beautiful winged creatures throughout the room; and Beauties, a pulsating two-level dance club with a high-tech lighting and sound system and unique interior design featuring multi-colored male and female torsos.

            DINING OPTIONS
            Dining is considered by many to be the highlight of a “Fun Ship” cruise vacation and Carnival Pride offers a wide variety of delectable choices to suit any taste.   In addition to the full-service two-level Normandie restaurant featuring expansive menus and wine lists, Carnival Pride includes Mermaids Grille, a casual poolside eatery offering breakfast, lunch and dinner alternatives and a 24-hour pizzeria.  David’s, an elegant reservations-recommended steakhouse at the top of a soaring nine-deck-high atrium and accessible by a glass elevator, is also available. Other dining options include a sushi bar serving authentic Asian delicacies and the Piazza Café offering coffees and sweets. Complimentary 24-hour stateroom service is also available, and vegetarian, children’s and health-conscious menu selections are featured on all dining room menus.

            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 Pride 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 Pride also houses four swimming pools, including a children’s wading pool and an aft pool offering a twisting, turning corkscrew water slide. Special children’s menus, are also available, along with stroller rental and babysitting services. 

            ‘SPA CARNIVAL’ – Fitness has become an important part of people’s daily lives and guests sailing on Carnival Pride can take advantage of the ship’s expansive health and fitness facility, “Spa Carnival.”  Among the largest facilities of its kind, the 14,500-square-foot “floating health club” offers a full gymnasium housing the latest exercise equipment, 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.  The ship also features four swimming pools and a one-eighth-mile jogging track.  A salon offering a variety of hair, nail and make-up services is available, as well.

           SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS — As part of Carnival’s fleetwide stateroom enhancements, all of the Carnival Pride’s 1,062 staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system, featuring plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and duvet covers, fluffy pillows and high quality linens. Eighty percent of the Carnival Pride’s cabins offer an ocean view with 80 percent of those featuring private balconies.  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 Pride 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.

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               Carnival Pride’s inaugural cruise from Baltimore that departed April 27 was extra special for one family, the Sherrards from Martinsburg, W.V., who were the guests of honor compliments of Carnival Cruise Lines and the Casey Cares Foundation, which provides uplifting programs with a special touch to enhance the lives of critically ill children and their families throughout the Mid-Atlantic states.

            This was the first vacation for the family since their daughter passed away from a brain tumor a year ago, providing a much-needed respite from a very challenging time in their lives. 

             Parents Jima and Steven Sherrard and their son Ryan – who celebrated his ninth birthday on board — truly enjoyed their vacation aboard the Carnival Pride and the ship’s employees went “all out” to make sure that their six-day getaway was special, relaxing and memorable.          

            The family is pictured here with Carnival’s mascot, “Fun Ship” Freddy, during Ryan’s birthday celebration on board.

            The 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride debuted from Baltimore April 27, becoming the first cruise ship to sail from the port on a year-round basis.

To mark the launch of Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride, Carnival Cruise Lines held a special invitation-only reception aboard the vessel attended by more than 200 community leaders, travel agents and VIPs.   Carnival Pride will operate 50 voyages annually, carrying 115,000 passengers a year from Baltimore.

Carnival Pride arrived at the Port of Baltimore accompanied by, appropriately enough, The Pride of Baltimore II, a replica of a 19th century clipper topsail schooner, which sailed alongside the massive 88,500-ton “Fun Ship” as it made its way through Chesapeake Bay and under the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Pictured here with a model of the Pride of Baltimore II presented to Carnival on behalf of the State of Maryland and the Port of Baltimore are (from left):  U.S. Senator – Maryland Ben Cardin, Carnival’s Vice President – Worldwide Sales Joni Rein; U.S. Congressman – 7th District Maryland Elijah Cummings; Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari and Carnival Pride Captain Alessandro Galotto. (PHOTO 1)

Jan Miles, senior captain of the Pride of Baltimore II who sailed the vessel as it accompanied the Carnival Pride into the Port of Baltimore, presented Carnival Pride Captain Alessandro Galotto with a model of the sailing vessel at the reception. (PHOTO 2)

During the reception, Carnival Cruise Lines also presented Maryland Special Olympics with an oversized check for $20,000 representing monies that were raised during the cruise line’s Fun City: Baltimore event which featured a variety of free activities and  attractions throughout the city’s Inner Harbor.  Shown here are (from left) Carnival’s Vice President – Worldwide Sales Joni Rein and Business Development Manager for Maryland Tom Dougher and Maryland Special Olympics’ President and CEO Dr. Patricia Fegan and Board of Directors’ Chair Stacie Tobin.

Preparations are already underway for Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fun City: Baltimore event which takes place tomorrow in the city’s Inner Harbor.

Benefiting Maryland Special Olympics, the day-long event is free and open to the public and offers a variety of free activities and attractions, including the creation of a giant sand sculpture and 3-D chalk art (pictured above at left and right, respectively).  A world record giant beach ball, hip-hop dance performances, live entertainment, a “Camp Carnival” Kids’ Zone, karaoke and an appearance by Carnival’s mascot “Fun Ship” Freddy will be featured, as well.

Fun City: Baltimore is a celebration to mark the start-up of Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride which kicks off Monday, April 27.  

Looking for a fun time?  The Inner Harbor is the place to be on April 25th from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. when Fun City:  Baltimore, sails into town.  The event is compliments of Carnival Cruise Lines and will raise funds for Maryland Special Olympics.  A full schedule of exciting free events, activities and attractions, including a world record giant beach ball, artistic sand sculptures, live hip-hop dance performances, 3-D chalk art and more, will make up nine “Fun Spots” which will be sprinkled around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.  The event is a celebration to mark the start-up of Baltimore’s first-ever year-round cruise service on the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride. The ship will arrive in Baltimore on Monday, April 27 and depart later that day on its first voyage from Charm City.    

Other activities during Fun City:  Baltimore will include a Carnival Fun Booth, Camp Carnival Kid Zone and an Interactive Aquarium. There will also be biodegradable balloon giveaways, photos opportunities, visits by Carnival’s mascot, “Fun Ship” Freddy and Fun Decoder cards which lead to several chances to win a free cruise, all while raising money for the Maryland Special Olympics. 

Following is a rundown of events, all of which are free and open to the public:

Carnival Fun Booth, located in front of the ESPN Zone near Pratt Street, will be an interactive booth where people can digitally record their own karaoke performance of popular songs and go on-line to view the video and share with friends. Located near the Fun Booth but closer to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, will be a beautifully crafted, detailed Sand Sculpture of the Carnival Pride created by award winning Master Sand Sculptor Chuck Feld. 

In the amphitheater, located between the Pratt and Light Street Pavilions, will be live performances by acrobatic teams, Motown-style singers, cruise directors and dancers from Carnival’s ships.  

Carnival’s huge Guinness World Record Beach Ball will be will be located in McKeldin square and passers-by will have an opportunity to have their photo taken alongside it.

3-D Chalk Art depicting Carnival Pride’s twister waterslide will be located on the corner of Pratt and Charles Streets.  Extraordinarily talented chalk artist Michael W. Kirby will spend three to four days creating his fantastic, illusionary masterpiece to the delight of downtown workers who will have an opportunity to watch the transformation first-hand.

Located in front of the Visitor Center will be free balloon giveaways and they’re biodegradable so they’re fun AND green!

Kids of all ages will enjoy the Camp Carnival Kid Zone located near The West Shore Park.  It will feature face painting, candy art machines, arts & crafts and games in addition to entertainment and fun music.  Also, Carnival Water Wars, a game played with giant water balloons, will be available.

Located at 111 South Calvert Street will be a special Interactive Aquarium where a vibrant, computer animated undersea universe of plant life and fish will react to the motion of passersby.  Visitors can also dial a number on their cell phones to create their own, personalized fish and swim them around the tank.  The Interactive Aquarium is already on display and will remain in place until April 27.

An engaging, high-energy hip hop and acrobatic performance group will entertain visitors and those walking to the baseball game with performances in front of the new Hilton and across from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Throughout the day, Carnival Cruise Ambassadors will be handing out FREE “Fun Decoder” cards where participants can register on-line for five chances to win a Carnival Cruise.  The contest takes place from April 1-May 9 and for every person who registers, a $1 donation will go directly to the Maryland Special Olympics.

The Carnival Pride will operate a mix of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises from April 27 through September 6, 2009 then begin a year-round seven-day cruise program departing every Sunday. The ship will alternate weekly between an Exotic Eastern Caribbean itinerary calling at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; and Half Moon Cay and Freeport, The Bahamas, and a Bahamas/Florida itinerary which visits Port Canaveral (near Orlando), Fla; and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.  Each voyage also includes three days at sea.