June 2013

Carnival Dream scored 100 during its most recent United States Public Health (U.S.P.H.) in Port Canaveral, Fla., marking the third time that a Carnival ship has earned a perfect score this year. To earn a 100 score, cruise ships must receive perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the U.S.P.H.’s comprehensive Vessel Sanitation Program 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. The 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream will…

CARNIVAL TO ENHANCE LEADERSHIP POSITION IN NEW ORLEANS AND PORT CANAVERAL WITH NEW SHIP DEPLOYMENTS BEGINNING IN SPRING 2014   Carnival Cruise Lines today announced new ship deployments taking effect in 2014 in several key markets resulting in exciting new product offerings from Port Canaveral, Fla., and New Orleans.  Carnival will now feature the widest selection of seagoing vacation choices in these markets aboard some of the most innovative ships in cruising. Carnival Sunshine, which recently completed a massive $155 million transformation, will be repositioned from New Orleans to Port Canaveral beginning in April 2014. This move will allow Carnival to continue to offer attractive new options from Port Canaveral and marks the first time the line will have a…

Carnival Cruise Lines today announced new ship deployments taking effect in 2014 in several key markets resulting in exciting new product offerings from Port Canaveral, Fla., and New Orleans.  Carnival will now feature the widest selection of seagoing vacation choices in these markets aboard some of the most innovative ships in cruising. Carnival Sunshine, which recently completed a massive $155 million transformation, will be repositioned from New Orleans to Port Canaveral beginning in April 2014. This move will allow Carnival to continue to offer attractive new options from Port Canaveral and marks the first time the line will have a ship in Central Florida featuring all of the fantastic Fun Ship 2.0 bar, dining and entertainment innovations. In turn, Carnival…

Carnival Sunshine introduced a host of new and exciting venues when it debuted last month, including Shake Spot, the ideal place to chill where guests can enjoy a variety of hand-crafted milkshakes and floats, including “adult versions” of the frozen confections, available with fun and creative toppings. Located along Deck 5 Promenade adjacent to Ocean Plaza, Shake Spot offers nine different kinds of milkshakes with delicious choices such as the Strawberry Creamsicle, Tropical Delight and Mocha Java Rev-Up served with a shot of espresso, along with seven kinds of floats, including the Brown Cow with chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup and Coca-Cola, and the Purple Cow, a refreshing concoction of vanilla ice cream and grape soda.  Adult versions of both…

Miami Heat fans sailing on the Carnival Sunshine, which is currently on a 12-day Mediterranean cruise, never quite made it to bed last night. As the ship made its way to Naples, Italy, Miami Heat fans stayed up until 6 a.m. local time to watch their beloved team win its third overall NBA Championship and their second consecutive title. The nail-biting game was aired on the ship’s Seaside Theatre, a 270-square-foot LED screen, located poolside on Lido deck. Photographer Andy Newman of NewmanPR took a few pictures of fans poolside joining two time MVP Lebron James and teammates in celebrating the big victory.

Carnival Triumph returned to regular service from its year-round homeport of Galveston, Texas, today, with a sold-out four-day cruise to Mexico. The 102,000-ton, 2,758-passenger ship resumes its year-round schedule of four-day cruises to Cozumel, Mexico and five-day cruises to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. To celebrate Carnival Triumph’s return, a number of giveaways and special events for guests are being held onboard prior to today’s departure. Celebrity comedian and Carnival’s “curator of comedy” George Lopez will perform two matinee shows in the main show lounge for embarking guests. In addition, guests can participate in a shipboard scavenger hunt or compete in a hamburger-making contest at the newly installed Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint located poolside. Guests also can participate in photo opportunities…

Following extensive enhancements and upgrades, Carnival Triumph arrived in Galveston yesterday and will return to service June 13, resuming its year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. Carnival Cruise Lines has completed all necessary repairs and invested thousands of man hours and $115 million to enhance and upgrade Carnival Triumph. This includes significant enhancements to the ship’s emergency power capabilities, introducing new fire safety technology and improving the level of operating redundancies. After the Carnival Triumph fire in February 2013, the company launched a comprehensive operational review of its 24 ships.  On April 17, Carnival announced a $300 million fleetwide program to expand the availability of hotel services for the comfort of its guests in the rare instance…

Carnival Glory was the first cruise ship to call at Saint John, New Brunswick, this year and to commemorate the occasion, a special celebration was held yesterday at the port’s cruise terminal that was attended by local dignitaries and the ship’s officers.  Carnival Glory was visiting Saint John as part of a five-day cruise that departed earlier this week from Boston. During the reception, Captain Francesco La Farina was presented with an explorer telescope – a Saint John tradition – by Saint John Port Authority President & CEO Jim Quinn. Carnival Glory will operate a series of four- to seven-day Canada/New England voyages from Boston and New York through October before repositioning to Miami for seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning in…