February 2013

CARNIVAL DREAM’S ITINERARIES EXPANDED TO INCLUDE NEW FIVE- AND EIGHT-DAY CRUISES, ALONG WITH UNIQUE FOUR-PORT, SEVEN-DAY OPTION   Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded Carnival Dream’s year-round schedule from Port Canaveral, Fla., to include never-before-offered eight-day Caribbean departures along with two new five-day options, and a one-of-a-kind four-port, seven-day eastern Caribbean itinerary. With these new options, Carnival Dream will offer six distinctly different five- to eight-day cruise programs from Port Canaveral – the widest variety of itinerary choices from this highly popular Central Florida homeport.  Additionally, the expansion further bolsters the line’s position as the Caribbean cruise leader, operating approximately 1,250 voyages and carrying more than 3.6 million passengers within the region each year. Carnival Dream’s two new eight-day schedules include…

Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded Carnival Dream’s year-round schedule from Port Canaveral, Fla., to include never-before-offered eight-day Caribbean departures along with two new five-day options, and a one-of-a-kind four-port, seven-day eastern Caribbean itinerary. With these new options, Carnival Dream will offer six distinctly different five- to eight-day cruise programs from Port Canaveral – the widest variety of itinerary choices from this highly popular Central Florida homeport.  Additionally, the expansion further bolsters the line’s position as the Caribbean cruise leader, operating approximately 1,250 voyages and carrying more than 3.6 million passengers within the region each year. Carnival Dream’s two new eight-day schedules include a three-port Southern Caribbean itinerary with extended stops at the islands of Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk, and…

For the second consecutive year, Carnival Cruise Lines was well represented in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash. Food Network personality Guy Fieri took home third place in the festival’s ever-popular Burger Bash competition with a custom-created hamburger inspired by Guy’s Burger Joint, the chef’s namesake eateries that are currently featured on four Carnival ships. Additional shipboard burger venues are planned in the future. Check out the fun recap video of Carnival’s participation in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash.

Carnival Cruise Lines was well represented at this weekend’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival, sponsoring the Fun & Fit As a Family event at Miami’s Jungle Island for the second consecutive year.  Additionally, Food Network personality Guy Fieri took home third place in the festival’s ever-popular Burger Bash competition with a custom-created hamburger inspired by Guy’s Burger Joint, the chef’s namesake eateries that are currently featured on four of the line’s “Fun Ships.” Additional shipboard venues are planned for the future. Carnival’s sponsorship of Fun & Fit as a Family included a welcome center outside the main entrance that featured a DJ, line dances hosted by members of the cruise line’s entertainment staff, and an appearance by the Fun…

Celebrity chef and Food Network star Guy Fieri, who was in South Florida for this weekend’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival, stopped by Carnival Cruise Lines’ headquarters in Miami earlier today. The purpose of his visit was to talk to kids who participate in an innovative Scholarship & Mentoring Program, which matches Miami-Dade County high school students with a member of Carnival’s management team to provide students with a first-hand look at the business world. Fieri gave a rousing motivational speech, talking about his humble beginnings selling pretzels at age 10 and his road to becoming a successful chef and entrepreneur. Fieri’s many professional achievements include a partnership with Carnival to create the popular Guy’s Burger Joint currently aboard…

CARNIVAL TRIUMPH UPDATE February 15, 2013 – 11 a.m. EST Arrival/Guest Logistics The Carnival Triumph arrived at the Port of Mobile via tug assistance at approximately 9:30 U.S. central standard time yesterday evening, February 14, following an engine room fire that occurred on Sunday, Feb. 10. The 3,141 guests on board were debarked from the vessel by approximately 12:50 am CST and the majority were transferred via motor coach to either New Orleans or Galveston. Carnival reserved approximately 1,500 hotel rooms in New Orleans and the company is covering all travel and meal expenses.  Carnival has charted multiple flights from New Orleans which were scheduled to begin departing for Houston at 8 am CST. The buses from Mobile that headed…

Latest Update on Carnival Triumph February 13, 2013 – 5:45pm EST Carnival Cruise Lines has announced further compensation for the passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph, currently being towed via tug boats to Mobile, Alabama after an engine room fire early Sunday caused a loss of propulsion. All guests on the current voyage will receive further compensation of $500.00 per person. Gerry Cahill, President & CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines said: “We know it has been a longer journey back than we anticipated at the beginning of the week under very challenging circumstances. We are very sorry for what our guests have had to endure. Therefore, in addition to the full refund and future cruise credit already offered, we have decided…

STATEMENT REGARDING ADDITIONAL CARNIVAL TRIUMPH CANCELLATIONS February 13, 2013 Carnival Cruise Lines has announced the cancellations of 12 additional voyages of the Carnival Triumph following an engine room fire that has left vessel without propulsion.  The 12 cancelled cruises, which encompass sailings from Feb. 21 through April 13, 2013, are in addition to two previously cancelled voyages scheduled to depart Feb. 11 and Feb. 16. Guests on the affected sailings will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, as well as non-refundable transportation costs, pre-paid shore excursions, gratuities, and government fees and taxes.   Guests will also receive a 25 percent discount on a future three- to five-day Carnival cruise or a 15 percent discount on a six- to seven-day…

The following press conference was held early today at Carnival Cruise Lines’ headquarters in Miami. During the media briefing, the company’s President and CEO Gerry Cahill updated media regarding the Carnival Triumph.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation earned a perfect 100 score on its most recent United States Public Health (U.S.P.H.) inspection conducted in Port Canaveral, Fla. To earn a 100 score, cruise ships must receive perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the U.S. Public Health Service’s comprehensive Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) checklist. The unannounced inspections, which are conducted twice a year and required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a U.S. port, evaluate vessels in a wide variety of areas, including adherence to proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, and overall galley cleanliness. Ships’ potable water supplies used in spas and pools are evaluated, as well. Carnival Sensation operates year-round three- and four-day Bahamas voyages…