Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, in conjunction with the Ocean Players Club, a casino rewards program for guests sailing aboard the World’s Leading Cruise Lines, is hosting its 2008 “Wild Winners” Tournament, comprised of a series of slot, blackjack and poker tournaments.

The tournaments will be held on 10 different seven- to nine-day “Fun Ship” cruises operating January – October 2008, culminating in a grand final event on board Carnival’s newest ship, the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor in November.

“With convenient homeports located throughout the U.S., and a variety of itineraries to choose from, guests not only enjoy a memorable and fun cruise vacation, but also have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes,” said Vicki Freed, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and guest services.

The preliminary slot and blackjack tournaments each offer a cash prize of $2,500. All first place winners receive complimentary balcony accommodations for two, and a free entry to the Final Event on the Carnival Splendor Nov. 17.

The Grand Final slot and blackjack tournaments will each offer $25,000 in cash prizes, and the winner of the poker grand final event will win a $10,000 seat to the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, NV, plus $1,000 cash for travel expenses.

Entry fees for the slot and blackjack tournaments are $100 per person, and $150 per person for the poker tournament.

Tournament dates are as follows:

Feb. 3- Carnival Pride- seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing from Long Beach/Los Angeles

March 8- Carnival Freedom- seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Miami

April 23- Carnival Miracle- eight-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from New York

May 10- Carnival Glory- seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Port Canaveral, Fla.

June 15- Carnival Pride- seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing from Long Beach/Los Angeles

July 19- Carnival Liberty- seven-day Western Caribbean cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale

Aug. 17- Carnival Conquest- seven-day Western Caribbean cruise departing from Galveston, TX

Sept. 13- Carnival Victory- seven-day Fall Foliage cruise departing from New York

Oct. 18- Carnival Spirit- nine-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing from San Diego

Nov. 17- Carnival Splendor- four-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale (Grand Finale Event)

The Ocean Players Club offers something for every level of player, from awards for playing slots to establishing credit lines and betting limits for high rollers.  Players can earn points at the slots toward instant cash rewards, complimentary beverages, free gifts, and future cruise benefits. 

Membership in the Ocean Players Club is free and enrollment is coordinated with the casino host on board.  For more information, visit www.oceanplayersclub.com.

For additional information and reservations regarding the upcoming “Wild Winners” slot and blackjack tournaments, contact any travel agent, call 1-888-OPC-CLUB or visit carnival.com.

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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.