Underscoring the tremendous popularity of its balcony staterooms, Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to a number of cabins on two ships during upcoming dry docks over the next few months.

            Staterooms on the Carnival Destiny and Carnival Triumph that currently feature floor-to-ceiling windows will be retrofitted with private balconies, creating a total of 48 additional 230-square-foot verandah staterooms on these vessels. 

            Additionally, two new 750-square-foot “deluxe penthouse suites” – nearly double the size of the largest staterooms in the fleet – will be added to the Carnival Liberty.

            “Balcony staterooms continue to be in great demand – in fact, they’re often the first cabin category to sell out,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. “Therefore, we are pleased to incorporate additional balcony staterooms on Carnival Destiny and Carnival Triumph, which will offer guests their own private, relaxing venue for viewing magnificent ocean vistas and scenery,” he added.

            Like all “Fun Ship” accommodations, the new balcony staterooms on the Carnival Destiny and Carnival Triumph will offer a host of in-cabin amenities, including the popular Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows. 

            Carnival balcony accommodations also include soft terrycloth robes for guest use during their cruise, as well as satellite television, mini bars, hair dryers, ample closet space, and in-cabin amenity kits with a wide array of brand-name products.

            The two new 750-square-foot “deluxe penthouse suites” on the Carnival Liberty will be largest in the “Fun Ship” fleet by far and feature a new cabin configuration with a separate bedroom, expansive living area, and two full bathrooms, including one with a bathtub tub.

            Located on 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 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny began a new program of year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from Miami last week. 

            The 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will continue its seven-day Caribbean schedule from Miami through next summer then sail on a series of Canada/New England voyages from New York before repositioning to New Orleans to launch year-round four-, five-, and seven-day Caribbean service in November 2009. 

            The 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty, which currently operates seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami, will reposition to Europe next summer to operate 12-day voyages to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.  The ship will resume its weeklong Caribbean program from Miami in December 2009.

            The new balcony staterooms on these three vessels will be available for sale on October 3, 2008.

            Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty are part of 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 two new ships scheduled to enter service between now and 2011.

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

             

           For guests seeking a unique cruise alternative with opportunities to view magnificent scenery and wildlife and visit three charming cities along the historic St. Lawrence River, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate a series of nine-day voyages to Quebec aboard the 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph in summer 2009.  

            The cruises will operate round-trip from New York on June 25, July 23 and August 20, 2009.

            In addition to visits to the fascinating cities of Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, and Havre St. Pierre, the new nine-day “Quebec – After the Glaciers” voyages include an unforgettable daylong cruise along the scenic St. Lawrence River, home to numerous whales and other marine life, along with awe-inspiring landscapes carved out of glaciers. 

            Guests can also visit Quebec’s breathtaking nature and wildlife preserves where they can get an “up close and personal look” at the Canadian wilderness and view unique rock formations and native plant, sea and animal life.

            The new nine-day Quebec departures are the latest additions to Carnival’s popular New York cruise schedule, which also includes four- and five-day eastern Canada voyages and seven-day fall foliage cruises aboard the Carnival Triumph June-August, and eight-day Caribbean sailings aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle, operating April-October.

            “Carnival is always seeking exciting new itinerary choices and these new nine-day sailings provide guests of all ages an opportunity to experience and explore the natural wonders of Quebec, one of North America’s most historic and fascinating cruising regions,” Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.  “And when combined with a departure from New York – a convenient homeport and an exciting destination unto itself – these voyages are even more attractive,” Cahill added.  

            He noted that this new program is ideal for multi-generational travel, offering an opportunity for families to experience and explore a truly unique and historic region that is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Exciting Nine-Day Quebec Cruises

            Carnival Triumph’s nine-day Quebec voyages are highlighted by an extended 16-hour port call to Quebec City, which includes an optional shore excursion to Montreal, a cosmopolitan city of two million that is home to world-class museums and excellent restaurants and shopping.  Guests can also visit breathtaking Saguenay Fjord, home to no less than five different species of whales.  

            The adventure continues with an eight-hour call at Baie Comeau where guests can visit Boreal Park — home to numerous former glacier fields — tour the Glacier Interpretation Center, and partake in a variety of exciting outdoor adventure activities.

            During the eight-hour stop in Havre St. Pierre, guests can visit Parks Canada Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, which encompasses 93 square miles and includes  900 limestone islands and islets featuring 450 species of plants, over 200 species of birds and a wide variety of sea life.  Here, guests can witness the power of the glaciers that have been carved out of stone gigantic monoliths, spectacular cliffs and arches, creating a beautiful natural art form.

Carnival Triumph:  A Spectacular ‘Fun Ship’

            Encompassing 13 passenger decks, Carnival Triumph offers a variety of on-board amenities: four restaurants, including two two-level main dining rooms and an expansive poolside eatery, along with four swimming pools, a 214-foot-long cascading water slide,  and 18 lounges and bars whose interiors are inspired by the world’s great bodies of water.

            The ship also features a 14,500-square-foot health club, full casino gambling and a duty-free shopping mall. Expansive facilities and organized activities for “Camp Carnival,” “Circle C” and “Club O2,” catering to children, ’tweens and teens, respectively, are also available.  An Internet café, along with Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are featured, as well.

            A majority of the ship’s 1,379 staterooms offer an ocean view or private balcony – perfect for scenic cruising.  All Carnival Triumph accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Reservations

            Reservations are currently being accepted for Carnival Triumph’s new nine-day Quebec sailings from New York.

            Round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways, as well as special discounted rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, are also available.

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

Earlier this week, Carnival Cruise Lines held press conferences in Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans to announce the deployment of newer, larger ships to those markets.  The press conferences were met with outstanding response, attracting a variety of local print and broadcast outlets, along with dignitaries, travel agents, port and government officials, and community leaders.

The press conference in Mobile was held on Monday during which Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Planning Terry Thornton announced that the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy would replace the 1,452-passenger Holiday on year-round four- and five-day cruises in November 2009 – a capacity increase of 42 percent.

A day later, Thornton was at the Port of New Orleans to announce that Carnival would expand capacity at the port by 34 percent when the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph replaces the Carnival Fantasy on year-round departures from the Big Easy beginning in November 2009.  Additionally, Carnival Triumph will introduce new seven-day eastern and exotic western Caribbean departures from New Orleans to complement the line’s popular four- and five-day cruises to Mexico from that port. 

           During a press conference held at the Port of New Orleans, Carnival Cruise Lines- which offers the only year-round service from New Orleans- announced the deployment of the Carnival Triumph to the Big Easy in early November 2009.  

            Carnival Triumph will replace the Carnival Fantasy and will introduce new seven-day eastern and exotic western Caribbean schedules to complement the line’s popular four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. 

            The Carnival Triumph’s seven-day cruises will depart on Saturdays, with exotic western Caribbean voyages visiting Belize City; Isla Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel; and eastern Caribbean cruises calling at Key West, Freeport and Nassau.  Four-day cruises will depart Thursdays to Cozumel, while five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.

            Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Triumph’s new four- to seven-day cruises from New Orleans.

            Pictured here at the press conference is Carnival Cruise Lines’ Senior Vice President of Marketing Planning Terry Thornton; in the background from left to right is Port of New Orleans’ President and CEO Gary LaGrange and Lieutenant Governor for the State of Louisiana Mitch Landrieu. 

          Carnival Cruise Lines – which operates the only year-round cruise program from New Orleans – will increase capacity by 34 percent when the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph replaces the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy from the Big Easy in November 2009.

            In addition to providing an exciting new “Fun Ship” cruise option from New Orleans, Carnival Triumph will introduce new seven-day eastern and exotic western Caribbean schedules to complement the line’s popular four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. 

            The Carnival Triumph’s seven-day cruises will depart on Saturdays, with exotic western Caribbean voyages visiting Belize City; Isla Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel; and eastern Caribbean cruises calling at Key West, Freeport and Nassau.  Four-day cruises will depart Thursdays to Cozumel, while five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. 

            Carnival Triumph will operate 65 departures annually from New Orleans, carrying approximately 200,000 passengers – the most of any cruise line. Carnival Fantasy, which currently sails from New Orleans, will be deployed to Mobile, Ala., to operate four- and five-day cruises beginning in November 2009.

            “We’re very pleased to bring a newer, larger ship to New Orleans as well as expand our operations with new seven-day western Caribbean itineraries that will provide exciting new ‘Fun Ship’ vacation options,” said Terry Thornton, Carnival’s senior vice president of marketing planning.  “In addition to serving as an excellent homeport for Carnival for nearly 15 years, New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind vacation destination and we’re delighted to continue our relationship with this wonderful city,” he added.

            “The Port and the entire New Orleans tourism community is thrilled by Carnival’s decision to homeport the Carnival Triumph here,” said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange.  “This community has demonstrated its resilience and proven once again it is an international tourist destination.  This business decision by a valued partner such as Carnival only reiterates the bright future of cruising in New Orleans.”

Four- to Seven-Day Cruises from New Orleans

            Carnival Triumph will make its New Orleans debut with a special four-day cruise departing Tuesday, Nov. 10, then launch its new year-round four-, five- and seven-day schedule beginning with a weeklong voyage departing Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009.

            Four-day Carnival Triumph cruises departing Thursdays visit Cozumel, a 308-square-mile island offering world-class beaches, myriad watersports and a diversity of restaurants, shops and nightspots. Five-day cruises departing Mondays and Saturdays feature both Cozumel and Progreso, located along Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula offering access to centuries-old ruins and archeological sites, including Chitzen Itza, recently named one of Seven Wonders of the World. 

            Seven-day exotic western Caribbean cruises departing Saturdays visit Belize, a tropical paradise where guests can visit Mayan ruins and enjoy myriad eco-tourism opportunities; and Isla Roatan, a breathtaking Honduran island distinguished by gorgeous white-sand beaches and lush countryside. A daylong visit to Cozumel rounds out this weeklong itinerary.

            The eastern Caribbean route will feature Key West, the southernmost city in the U.S. known for its excellent shopping and watersports and perpetually laid back atmosphere.  The itinerary also includes two popular Bahamian ports – Freeport, the island chain’s second largest city offering stunning beaches and exciting golfing, shopping and dining opportunities; and Nassau, the bustling capital known for outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and historical landmarks.

A Truly Magnificent ‘Fun Ship’

            The 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph offers a host of resort-style facilities and features: a 14,500-square-foot spa, a jogging track, ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service, a duty-free shopping mall, and three restaurants, including twin two-level main dining rooms with extensive menus and wine lists and a 1,200-seat casual eatery with full breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and a 24-hour pizzeria.

            Also featured are 18 themed lounges and bars – including a wine bar, sports bar, piano bar and a multi-level theatre showcasing lavish revues – all with dramatic interiors inspired by the world’s most famous bodies of water. A golf program offering professional instruction and opportunities to play top Caribbean courses is available, as well.

            Family friendly amenities include programming for children in three age groups – “Camp Carnival” for youngsters, “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year olds, and “Club O2” for older teens – with activities and facilities dedicated to each.  Additionally, Carnival Triumph offers a variety of accommodations, including a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites.  All staterooms feature the exclusive Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Reservations Now Open

            Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Triumph’s new four- to seven-day cruises from New Orleans. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, along with round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways and pre- and post-cruise land packages, are also available. 

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