News Blog

Continuing a longstanding tradition of assisting mariners in distress, Carnival Paradise came to the aid of the operator of a small boat that was sinking. While en route back to its homeport of Tampa, Carnival Paradise was alerted of a small craft in distress with one person in the water while the ship was 13 miles north of Cozumel. Carnival Paradise reversed course, lowered a rescue boat, brought the mariner onboard and provided food, water and medical treatment. Carnival Paradise personnel coordinated with Mexican authorities to transfer the mariner, a Mexican national, to a ferry boat and take him ashore. He was in good condition.  Carnival Paradise was on a four-day cruise that departed on Thursday from Tampa and returned this…

In honor of Military Appreciation Day, Carnival Cruise Line, the line that carries that most active and retired service members, is offering exclusive savings and special discounts throughout the month of May to members of the U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces. The special Military Appreciation promotion, which provides up to $50 onboard credit per stateroom, a complimentary two-category upgrade and reduced deposits from $49 per person, can be combined with Carnival’s highly attractive Early Saver rates. In addition, military members who qualify for the promotion can book up to two additional staterooms with the same bonuses and pricing. The promotion can be booked from May 22-31, 2019, and is applicable for a wide range of three- to 24-day sailings departing…

Carnival Sunshine kicks off a new year-round cruise program from the Port of Charleston on Saturday, May 18. Carnival Sunshine replaces Carnival Ecstasy which is being repositioned to Jacksonville. On its new Charleston-based route, Carnival Sunshine will operate a diverse schedule that includes four- and five-day sailings to the Bahamas, six- and seven-day voyages to Bermuda and the Caribbean, and the first-ever Cuba cruises from Charleston with a series of five-day sailings calling at Havana. There are also longer 10- and 11-day Carnival Journeys sailings that visit spectacular Caribbean islands and offer special onboard programming including local cuisine and entertainment and fun activities like a retro Throwback Sea Day. Carnival Sunshine is the newest year-round ship ever homeported in Charleston…

Building upon its position as the leader in Gulf Coast cruising, Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its short cruise offerings from the region with Carnival Dream repositioning to Galveston and Carnival Valor to New Orleans. Carnival Valor will launch four- and five-day cruises to Mexico from New Orleans May 11, with Carnival Dream offering a similar program from Galveston beginning May 13, becoming the largest Carnival ships ever to offer year-round short cruise programs from these ports. Four-day long weekend cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays calling at Cozumel and Progreso. Some five-day itineraries from Galveston feature Cozumel and Costa Maya.     Each of these stunning Mexican destinations offer world-class beaches, excellent shopping and…

Carnival Magic has repositioned from PortMiami to its new homeport of Port Everglades while Carnival Conquest is now sailing from PortMiami. Both ships launched new cruise programs that provide guests with fresh and exciting cruise vacation choices from South Florida. On their new schedules, these two ships will visit top destinations throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas, with Carnival Magic operating six- and eight-day cruises and Carnival Conquest offering week-long departures. Both ships offer a wide range of on-board experiences such as splash-tastic water slides, dining options that range from casual choices like Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, expansive health and wellness centers and unique beverage concepts like the cocktail…

The totally transformed Carnival Sunrise embarked on its maiden voyage this week – a seven-day cruise from Norfolk, Va.  A highlight of the week-long cruise was a day-long visit to tropical Grand Turk where guests enjoyed a variety of exciting landside experiences, from snorkeling and kayaking to, of course, beautiful white-sand beaches. Carnival Sunrise debuted earlier this week following a $200 million renovation in Cadiz, Spain, that added all of the line’s popular culinary, beverage and entertainment innovations. The ship will operate a series of voyages from Norfolk’s Decker Half Moone Cruise Center before repositioning to New York for a summer schedule of four-to eight-day cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean.  While in New York, the ship will be officially…

In conjunction with International Dance Day, Carnival Cruise Line is kicking off a new way to raise money for a good cause — debuting a fun online version of its popular shipboard dance activity, Groove For St. Jude, where fans can dance and raise money for the line’s long-term charitable partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Carnival is challenging people across the country to donate, perform and share their own new Groove for St. Jude dance move on their social media channels. For every person who uploads a video of themselves on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Carnival’s donation page https://choose.fun/stjude, Carnival will make a $2 donation to St. Jude, up to $20,000. After watching and learning the new dance on…

Continuing its longstanding support of the U.S. military, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald served as the official emcee of Operation Homefront’s ‘Military Child of the Year’ awards held in Washington, D.C. Operation Homefront, a national non-profit organization that helps build strong, stable and secure military families to succeed in the communities they protect, presents the annual awards to recognize outstanding children who thrive as scholars and leaders while facing the challenges of military life.  A Military Child of the Year is chosen to represent each of the six branches of the military – the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. This year’s winners include: Elisabeth McCallum Polleys (Army), Jaxson Jordan (Marine Corps), Elisabeth…

As part of its ongoing effort to support its port of call partners, Carnival Cruise Line teamed up with the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) and the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation (VISPR), as well as the Department of Tourism, to revitalize Emile Griffith Park in St. Thomas, hosting a fun-filled “Afternoon of Play” for local children. The event served as the official unveiling of the totally renovated space which features a newly resurfaced playground and basketball court, playground equipment for children ages six months to 12 years, a gazebo with picnic tables and benches, and other enhancements. Local children and their families participated in the event and enjoyed music, refreshments and face painting, led by team…

  To honor Kathie Lee Gifford’s farewell appearance on the Today show and their longstanding 35-year relationship, Carnival Cruise Line gifted Gifford’s entire live studio audience the ultimate vacation experience – a free cruise! The episode clip can be viewed here: https://www.today.com/video/kathie-lee-gifford-surprises-today-audience-with-cruise-trips-1473239619641 Gifford was the star of the cruise industry’s first national television campaign in 1984 where she sang the catchy jingle “Ain’t We Got Fun” as she promoted Carnival’s fleet of “Fun Ships.” Gifford also served as godmother for two Carnival ships, Celebration in 1987 and Ecstasy in 1991. Gifford’s popular GIFFT wines are served on Carnival’s ships as well allowing guests to enjoy a glass of Gifford’s Pinot Noir Rosé or Chardonnay in restaurants throughout the fleet. On…