Carnival Triumph heading up north to Quebec for 3 nine-day cruise in summer 2009

Carnival Triumph is heading up north to Quebec, having announced it will commence 3 nine-day voyages to the Canadian province aboard in the summer of 2009. The itinerary will visit three cities along the St. Lawrence River: Quebec City, Baie-Comeau and Havre St. Pierre. The cruises will operate roundtrip from New York City on June 25, July 23 and August 20, 2009.

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

Dubbed the “Quebec—After the Glaciers” voyages, Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, says the itineraries are ideal for multi-generational travel.

For more information and making a reservation, please visit www.nycvaluecruise.com.

Carnival Destiny Begins Her 4 and 5 nights Schedule from Miami

The 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny begins its new schedule on Sept. 27 roundtrip from Miami it will become the largest Carnival ship to be deployed year-round on short cruise vacations.Additionally, the Carnival Destiny offers almost 500 balcony staterooms and suites, the most of any ship operating a year-round short-cruise program.

On its new Miami-based schedule, the Destiny departs Thursdays on four-day cruises to Key West and Cozumel; Mondays on five-day cruises to Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay; and Saturdays on five-day voyages to George Town, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

“Short cruises fit in perfectly with today’s lifestyles, offering an unmatched combination of value, convenience and fun,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. “The Carnival Destiny’s four- and five-day schedule from Miami takes this concept to another level, providing consumers with a wide range of on-board choices along with attractive itineraries featuring the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.”

 

For more information, please visit for a live chat at www.nycvaluecruise.com.

Win 1 of 4 free cruises during Cruise Planners’ World Largest Cruise Night on October 4 to 10, 2008

CRUISE PLANNERS CELEBRATES ‘WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE EVENT’

WITH SPECIAL CRUISE OFFERS ALL WEEK LONG

Brooklyn, NY – (September 16, 2008) –

It’s the best time of the year to get the best deals on cruise vacations because October is National Cruise Vacation month. And The World’s Largest Cruise Event, October 4-10, 2008, is fast approaching. Kenneth Chow, ACC (Accredited Cruise Counsellor) and an expert Cruise Planners travel professional, is celebrating by offering clients incredible values and incentives on cruise travel to the world’s top destinations.

“The World’s Largest Cruise Event is a celebration where lucky agents like me get to give the gift of great savings on cruises, and our clients are the guests of honor,” said Chow. “Best of all, Cruise Planners is extending what is traditionally one special night into an entire week of offers and incentives, so the gifts will keep coming from October 4^th to the 10^th.”

And by gifts we mean a prize-a-day giveaway that has been incorporated into this year’s cruise event week. Whereby Chow’s clients can enter a daily contest for fabulous prizes and ultimately be entered into the week end grand prize of a free cruise. When you combine this kind of prize giveaway with the type of exclusive promotions and great pricing Cruise Planners can offer as a high-volume cruise retailer, it’s easy to see why the World’s Largest Cruise Event is the prime sales event of the year.

Organized by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), North America’s largest cruise industry organization, The World’s Largest Cruise Night encompasses the entire cruise industry, as top cruise lines join with travel agents across the country to offer unbelievable prices. It also aims to help raise awareness of the fastest growing and most adventurous form of traveling—cruising.

Founded in 1994, Cruise Planners is an American Express Travel Services Representative national cruise agency headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., that operates a franchised network of 700+ experienced travel professionals who independently book cruises and other associated travel. Cruise Planners annual gross sales exceed $100 million. Cruise Planners has achieved the highest industry awards year after year; Royal Caribbean’s Homebased Partner of the Year (2007), Carnival’s Pinnacle Club (2008), Carnival’s Agency of the Year (2005), American Express Travel Services Rep Excellence Award (2004-2007) and Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® ~ ranked #1 cruise agency franchise (2004-2008), to name a few.

For more information about Cruise Planners, please visit www.nycvaluecruise.com.

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Carnival Miracle May 8, 2009 sailing from New York City

Click here for additional information about this sailing

About Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay

If ever you’ve dreamed of making the first footprints on the beach of a truly secluded tropical island, here’s your chance. Simply step ashore on Half Moon Cay, Holland Americas own private island, and make your mark. Then swim and snorkel till the beat of a steel-drum band summons you to the beach party and buffet. Calypso, anyone?

Activities

 

• Explore the undersea world without getting wet on board our own glass-bottom boat.
• Join an island guide for an informative and moderately paced 1 1/2 mile walk on a sandy path through this tropical paradise, viewing tropical palms, sea grape trees, curly-tailed lizards and bananaquit birds.
• Enhance your visit to Holland America’s private island by arranging one or more “toy” rentals. You can pre-arrange rentals through the Shore Excursion Office on board, or visit the Watersports Hut on the island.

 

Adventures

 

• Saddle up for the ride of your life as a huge inflatable craft shaped like a banana is pulled behind a speedboat with you seated atop the craft.
• Join an island guide on a kayak adventure on Bone Fish Lagoon. The lagoon comprises over 1,400 square acres of protected habitat and is home to numerous species of flora ranging from red mangroves to the ornamental silver buttonwood tree.
• Scuba dive and explore the coral and marine life of the Caribbean as you search for brilliantly colored fish.
• Don a “parachute” and take off from behind a speed boat as the wind catches your chute, lifting you into the sky.

Carnival Pride Sailing On Baltimore’s First Year-Round Cruise Program in September 2009

Jun 20, 2008 – MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009.

The new program kicks off September 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port.

Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries. Exotic Eastern Caribbean departures will call at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, The Bahamas; while Bahamas/Florida departures visit Port Canaveral, Fla.; and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.
It is expected that the Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports – the most of any cruise operator.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore aboard the Carnival Pride, a truly magnificent ‘Fun Ship’ that will visit a wide range of tropical destinations from one of America’s most historic cities,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “Today’s consumers are more value-conscious than ever and considering that Baltimore is within a day’s drive for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents, these new seven-day voyages provide a convenient and affordable vacation option,” he added.

“This is tremendous news for the Port of Baltimore and our State,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley.  “Year-round cruising will allow the 40 million people that live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore to look beyond the traditional cruising seasons and sail throughout the year.   Carnival Cruise Lines is internationally recognized as one of the finest cruise ship operators in the industry and we are happy to welcome their ‘Fun Ship’ to Maryland.”  

Year-Round Cruising From Baltimore
Carnival Pride’s year-round seven-day cruises from Baltimore will visit popular destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida.

Carnival Pride’s Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore feature Grand Turk, a 10.5-square-mile island paradise which, in addition to a rich history, offers crystal-clear waters that attract snorkelers and divers the world over. Ships dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, a modern facility offering an 800-foot-long private beach, a Margaritaville-themed restaurant and a variety of retail shops. Also featured is Half Moon Cay, a crescent-shaped private island offering beautiful beaches and a diversity of watersports opportunities, along with a children’s aqua park and beachside cabanas. The third destination on this itinerary, Freeport, The Bahamas, is the island chain’s second largest city with excellent shopping at the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, along with stunning beaches and exciting golf opportunities.

Seven-day Bahamas/Florida cruises call at Port Canaveral, located on Florida’s Space Coast and in close proximity to Orlando-area theme parks and attractions, as well as the world famous Kennedy Space Center. Visitors also enjoy the area’s gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Other ports include Nassau, the historic Bahamian capital known for its outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. During their visit in Nassau, guests can tour a variety of historical sites, including centuries-old forts. A daylong visit to Freeport rounds out this itinerary.

Special Six-Day Voyage from Baltimore
Prior to the start-up of year-round seven-day cruises, Carnival Pride will operate a special one-time six-day departure round-trip from Baltimore September 7-13, 2009. Featured ports on this voyage include Freeport and Port Canaveral.

‘Fun Ship’ Carnival Pride
The 88,500-ton Carnival Pride offers a host of facilities and features, including indoor and outdoor promenades, a wedding chapel, and an elegant reservations-only supper club located at the top of a soaring nine-deck-high atrium and accessible by a glass staircase, just one of several different dining venues on board.

Other features include a ship-long promenade with a variety of lounges, bars and nightspots, including a multi-level theater showcasing lavish production revues. Family friendly amenities include organized programs for three different age groups – “Camp Carnival” for younger kids, “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year-olds, and “Club O2” for older teens – with supervised activities and expansive facilities for each.

Carnival Pride also offers a variety of accommodations including a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites – perfect for scenic cruising. All Carnival Pride accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Carnival Pride also houses an Internet Café, along with ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service.

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NEWS TO USE FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

 MIAMI – From the introduction of the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed and the launch of Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program to significant capacity increases from Mobile, Ala., New Orleans and Jacksonville, Fla., Carnival Cruise Lines has a number of exciting developments on tap in the coming months:

 

130,000-ton Carnival Dream – Largest ‘Fun Ship’ Ever Constructed – The largest Carnival Cruise Lines ship ever constructed, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, will usher in a new era of “Fun Ship” cruising when it debuts in September 2009, offering a host of innovations.  Carnival Dream’s many features will include The Piazza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.   Following its debut in Europe and a series of voyages from New York, Carnival Dream will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral, Fla., Dec. 5, 2009.

First Year-Round Schedule from Baltimore -  Carnival will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning Sept. 13, 2009.  It is expected that the Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports – the most of any cruise operator.

Carnival Fantasy to Mobile – Carnival – which operates Mobile, Ala.’s only year-round cruise program – will expand capacity at the port by 42 percent when the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy assumes the popular four- and five-day cruise program of the 1,452-passenger Holiday beginning in November 2009.  On this route, four-day cruises depart the Alabama Cruise Terminal Thursdays and call at Cozumel while five-day cruises depart Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Calica or Progreso. This fall, Carnival Fantasy will undergo an extensive renovation that will include the addition of a water park, adults-only area and redesigned main pool, all part of the line’s “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement initiative.

Carnival Triumph to New Orleans – The 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will replace the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in New Orleans in 2009, representing a 34 percent capacity increase from the Big Easy.  Additionally, Carnival Triumph will introduce two new seven-day eastern and western itineraries from the port, complementing the line’s popular four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises.  Carnival is the only cruise line to operate year-round from New Orleans and the Carnival Triumph is expected to carry approximately 200,000 passengers annually from the Crescent City – the most of any cruise line.

Significant Expansion on Jacksonville-Based Cruises – Carnival will increase capacity by 38 percent on its Jacksonville-based cruises when the 2,052-passenger Carnival Fascination begins year-round four- and five-day departures Sept. 20, 2008.  Carnival is the only cruise operator to sail year-round from Jacksonville and, with the deployment of the Carnival Fascination – the newest and largest ship ever homeported year-round in Jacksonville – the line is expected to carry 170,000 guests annually from that port. 

Carnival Sensation to Undergo Next Phase of ‘Evolutions of Fun’ - In January 2009, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation will undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment that will include the installation of a water park, an adults-only retreat and tropical-themed mid-ship pool area, as well as renovations to 1,000 staterooms, all part of the line’s “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement initiative for the line’s eight Fantasy-class vessels. Carnival Sensation will be the fourth ship to be retrofitted with these features, with Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration already completed and Carnival Fantasy to be refurbished this fall.

Carnival Launches New On-Line Store - Carnival has launched the cruise industry’s most extensive on-line store, www.carnivalfunshop.com, offering a wide variety of “Fun Ship”-branded merchandise. The new site provides consumers and cruise enthusiasts with a one-stop-shop for purchasing items that were previously only available in the line’s shipboard gift shops, with everything from hats, polo and T-shirts and other apparel to travel gear, tote bags, backpacks, and toys, including, of course, the ever-popular “Fun Ship” Freddy toy. 

New Itineraries for Carnival Conquest, Carnival Miracle - The 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest will offer a new seven-day itinerary from Galveston, Texas, that will include port calls to Key West, Fla., and Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas, beginning in February 2009.  Additionally, a new eight-day eastern Caribbean cruise option from New York featuring port calls to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private island of Half Moon Cay; and Nassau, The Bahamas, will be added to the Carnival Miracle’s itinerary beginning in May 2009.  Both of these new programs will complement the ships’ existing cruise schedules.

Carnival Elation to Shift to Three- and Four-Day Cruises from San Diego - The 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation will begin a new short cruise program from San Diego Feb. 12, 2009, departing Thursdays on three-day cruises to Ensenada and Sundays on four-day cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island.  Carnival Elation’s new San Diego-based schedule complements a similar program aboard the Carnival Paradise from Long Beach, Calif., with those departures occurring Fridays and Mondays. With Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise, consumers are provided with two convenient Southern California embarkation points and four departure days each week from which to choose.

‘Seaside Theatre’ Concept Expanded to Five Additional ‘Fun Ships’ -  “Carnival’s Seaside Theatres” — jumbo-sized LED screens currently featured poolside on five Carnival “Fun Ships”  – will be expanded to an additional five vessels over the next year. Carnival Destiny and Carnival Triumph will be retrofitted with the massive 270-square-foot screens later this year while the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory are set to receive the screens next year.  A Seaside Theatre will also be included on the new Carnival Dream when it debuts in fall 2009.

South America Cruises Aboard Carnival Splendor – Following a series of European and Caribbean voyages, Carnival Splendor will operate the line’s first South America cruises Jan. – March 2009, visiting historic destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru. The voyages include a 17-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jan. 31-Feb. 17; a 14-day voyage from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile, Feb. 17-March 3; and an 18-day South America/Mexican Riviera cruise from Santiago to San Francisco March 3-21.  Following these voyages, Carnival Splendor will launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., continuing the line’s expansion of its West Coast operations.

Second ‘John Heald Bloggers Cruise’ Aboard Carnival Fantasy – Following the tremendous success of the inaugural “John Heald Bloggers Cruise” earlier this year, the popular senior cruise director will host a second cruise for readers of his popular blog – this time aboard the Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans Feb. 7-12, 2009.   The five-day voyage, which will visit Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, will feature a number of exclusive events and activities hosted by Heald, whose blog has attracted 2.5 million visitors since being launched in March 2007.  Heald’s blog is available atwww.johnhealdsblog.com.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, New England, Canada, Bermuda, Europe, and South America. The line has two new 130,000-ton ships on order – Carnival Dream, set to debut September 21, 2009, and Carnival Magic, scheduled to enter service in June 2011.

 

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Carnival Cabin Recategorization Updates

As you are aware, Carnival Cruise Lines has undertaken an extensive stateroom recategorization effort with five ships reclassified under the new system since August.

We just wanted to let you know that effective Friday, October 3, 2008, staterooms on three more ships – Carnival Destiny, Carnival Victory, and Carnival Triumph – will be reclassified. The balance of the Carnival fleet is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008. Cabin assignments and pricing on existing reservations will not be affected.

With the reclassification of stateroom categories, Carnival’s accommodations are being categorized based on a variety of location factors such as mid-ship, aft, and forward, as well as proximity to key public areas and specific decks.

In addition to the recategorization, staterooms on the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty 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. Staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows on the Carnival Victory were retrofitted with balconies earlier this year.

Two 750-square-foot “deluxe penthouse suites” will be added to the Carnival Liberty, as well.

What this means to everyone is all cabins are now based on deck, and location of the ship.

In the past, it was first come first served basis for the early birds to get the midship cabins at the same price for the aft and forward part of the ship of the same deck.

In groups, everything will be based on the available lowest-deck midship cabins to give the group the better value for their money.

Carnival Adds New Balcony Staterooms to Three Ships

Fri Oct 03 2008, by Travel Trade Staff and credited and published

Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to a number of cabins on three ships during upcoming drydocks over the next few months.

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

Also, 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. The new deluxe penthouse suites will be the largest in the “Fun Ship” fleet and feature a new cabin configuration with a separate bedroom, living area and two full bathrooms, including one with a bathtub.

Located on the ship’s forward section on Deck 9, the deluxe penthouse suites can accommodate up to five guests and include two twin beds that convert to a king, a sofa bed and two pull-down upper beds.

“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.

As an added amenity, Carnival balcony accommodations feature terrycloth robes for guest use during their cruise.

The new balcony staterooms on the three vessels are now available for sale.

Sample World’s Largest Cruise Event Mailer

Click here for sample information on the World’s Largest Cruise Event mailer

Are you over 55? You may qualify for Carnival Senior Rates Program

If you or anyone is over 55, Carnival has a senior rates program you may qualify with only one person who is over 55 in a cabin. This rates is applicable for first and second guest in a cabin only.

Make sure you provide the proof of age with a driver’s license or a passport during the day of embarkation for pierside checkin.

We have cases where the average agencies put most people who are not over 55 yet on the senior rates program and when they board the ship, the clerk verified the id and found they did not qualify for the rates and charged them the prevailing higher cruise rate difference. Believe it or not, it was not a wonderful experience.

Make sure you have a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Certified Cruise Counsellor to take care and help you find applicable sailings with senior rates promotion and thank him or her for the work he did because he or she is your advocate to make sure you are being treated well into your golden years.

About finding Carnival Resident Rates on selected sailings

Carnival has selected sailings based on state residence.

The great thing is only one person residing in a state where he or she is qualified on a selected sailing. Resident rates are only good for one cabin only with the qualified resident.

The important document you need during embarkation is the driver’s license or non-driver’s license id as a proof you qualified for the rate.

There are many experiences where many average online agencies employed order-takers and fresh off the training in 2 weeks put their clients in the hot water on the resident rates they do not qualify. The cruise line clerk desk checks the rate with the proof of residency and found the couple did not qualify for the rate.

Not a great thing to begin with a vacation with a big tab on your onboard account for the high cruise fare difference during embarkation.

A sample New York state resident rate is by clicking here. 

Canadian residents do qualify for selected resident rate sailings.

Grand Turk Cruise Center Reopened

Published and credited by modernagent.com on October 8, 2008

The Grand Turk Cruise Center reopened on Oct. 8, welcoming the Carnival Destiny as the first call since the island was hit by Hurricane Ike on Sept. 7. The Associated Press said Premier Michael Misick greeted arriving passengers and posed with them for photos. The terminal is owned by Carnival Corp. For more information, visit www.grandturkcc.com.

Carnival Spotlight Sailings for the week of October 9, 2008

Click here for the spotlight sailings for the week of October 9, 2008

Spirit-Class ships recategorized

As you are aware, Carnival Cruise Lines has undertaken an extensive stateroom recategorization effort with five ships reclassified under the new system since August.

Effective Friday, October 10, 2008, all staterooms on our four other 88,500-ton Spirit -class ships – Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle – will be reclassified. The balance of the Carnival fleet is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008. Cabin assignments and pricing on existing reservations will not be affected.

Carnival Corp. to Eliminate Fuel Surcharge on 2010 Bookings

Fri Oct 10 2008, written and credited by Travel Trade Staff

Carnival Corporation & pls announced that effective Oct. 31 the existing fuel supplement will be eliminated for all new bookings on 2010 departures on its brands — Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. 

At that same time, a price increase on 2010 sailings will become effective. Additionally, the company has established specific guidelines under which the current fuel supplement may be reimbursed to consumers for 2008 and 2009 voyages.

For 2008 and 2009 departures, if the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) is $70 per barrel or less at the 2:30 p.m. close of business as reported by Reuters on each of the 25 consecutive trading days ending five trading days prior to the guest’s cruise departure date, the fuel supplement will be refunded in the form of a shipboard credit. Guests who book a 2010 cruise prior to Oct. 31, will be charged the current fuel supplement but will also be eligible for a refund of the fuel supplement in accordance with the same fuel price conditions that are being implemented for the 2008 and 2009 departures.

 

Bill Harber, director of marketing for Carnival Corporation & plc, said the company was implementing these initiatives due to the recent trends in declining fuel prices in an effort to migrate away from charging a separate fuel supplement.

 

“If fuel prices stabilize below $70 a barrel, we will be able to effectively eliminate a separate fuel supplement.”

 

However, he cautioned that there is still a risk that fuel prices could move higher “which would require us to maintain or reinstate a fuel supplement but the company is hopeful that the goal of eliminating the fuel supplement can be achieved.” Harber added that “these industry-leading initiatives demonstrate our commitment to our guests and travel agents to make our

brands the most attractive cruise vacations available.”

 

The fuel supplement for five of the six Carnival Corporation & plc brands is currently $9 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $126 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third, fourth and fifth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage).

Seabourn’s fuel supplement is $15 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $210 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third and fourth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage).

 

 

Galveston on Schedule to Reopen

Published and credited by cruiseindustrynews.com on October 15, 2008

The Port of Galveston is on schedule to resume cruise operations on Oct. 26, port officials said Tuesday.
 
Deputy Port Director Mike Mierzwa said he advised Carnival Cruise Lines that the port will be ready.
 
“The port has made great strides repairing the damage to the two cruise terminals and the rest of the port from the tidal surge and winds from Hurricane Ike,” said Mierzwa.
 
Repairs to Cruise Terminal No. 1, the Carnival terminal, are on schedule to meet the promised ready for operations date of Oct. 26, he said. Additionally, Cruise Terminal No. 2, which is used by Royal Caribbean Cruises, will be ready for operations on Nov. 30 – well in advance of the scheduled return of Voyager of the Seas on Dec. 14. 
 
The more than 600 flood-damaged cars left behind after the storm have been removed, and the parking lots have been cleaned, Mierzwa said.

Carnival will have to inspect the port before scheduling cruises from Galveston, a port spokeswoman said.

Carnival Fantasy Returns to Service with Upgrades

Published on: October 15, 2008 and credited by modernagent.com

Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Fantasy has resumed sailing from New Orleans following a 28-day dry-dock that added a new water park, an adults-only area, a redesigned main pool and a new Circle C facility for 12- to 14-year-olds. The suites and dining venues were also renovated, and new dining options such as a Mongolian wok and rotisserie were added. The new features are part of the line’s $250 million “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program for its eight Fantasy-class ships.

In conjunction with the Carnival Fantasy’s resumption of service from New Orleans, the company has partnered with five New Orleans-based radio stations on a promotion called Give Fun Back, which kicks off Oct. 20 and is designed to reward deserving individuals with a cruise. Based on nominations submitted by listeners, five winners will be selected, with each receiving a complimentary cruise on the Carnival Fantasy for up to four guests.

A signature element of Carnival Fantasy’s upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park towering over Verandah Deck. The open-air facility includes a 300-foot-long spiral water slide along with twin 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus. Located aft on Promenade Deck is Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat. Serenity offers plush chaise lounges and chairs, oversized umbrellas, and two large whirlpools. Here, guests can sip icy cocktails and frozen drinks or enjoy a light meal or snack from the nearby Lido restaurant. The third element of the top deck upgrades is a totally redesigned resort-style pool located mid-ship on Lido Deck featuring thatched roofing and large faux palm trees. The pool now has oversized umbrellas, comfortable deck chairs and a tiled faux beach encircling the pool’s edge.

The Celebration and Jubilee main dining rooms, as well as the causal poolside Windows on the Sea Bar & Grill, have been renovated with new interiors and updated carpeting, tile work and furniture. Windows on the Sea also features a new Mongolian wok where guests can select meat, vegetables, and noodles and have the dish prepared before their eyes. A rotisserie has been added with roasted chicken, beef and lamb, along with side dishes and accompaniments. A new Circle C facility catering to 12- to 14-year-olds has also been incorporated into Atlantic Deck forward. The center features a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles. Cosmetic enhancements were also made to other shipboard areas, including renovated guest corridors and public bathrooms, new décor and technical enhancements to the Electricity dance club, new artwork, and updated furniture and fixtures in many staterooms. Additionally, all of the ship’s 54 suites were remodeled with updated wall coverings, carpeting, tile work and lighting fixtures, as well as new bathrooms. A number of connecting staterooms were incorporated as well.

The 70,000-ton, 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy currently operates four- and five-day Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans. Four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Cozumel and Progreso. Carnival Fantasy will sail from New Orleans through Nov. 5, 2009, then reposition to Mobile, Ala., to operate year-round four- and five-day cruises starting Nov. 16. Carnival Fantasy will be replaced in New Orleans by the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph in November 2009. Carnival is accepting reservations on the Carnival Fantasy’s departures from both New Orleans and Mobile.

Ninety-Eight Balconies To Be Added To Carnival Sensation’s Staterooms During Scheduled Dry Dock in January 2009

 Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to 98 existing staterooms aboard the 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation during a 35-day scheduled dry dock taking place in January 2009.

            Ocean view staterooms will be retrofitted with new balconies that will extend from the ship and measure approximately 230 square feet.  Twenty-four of the new balcony staterooms will be located mid-ship on both the port and starboard sides and 12 will be located near the stern, while the other 62 will be located within the aft section of the ship, with several of these cabins featuring extended balconies.  

            Additionally, a number of the Carnival Sensation’s suites will be modified to feature larger, extended balconies to create a more spacious area from which to enjoy panoramic sea views. 

            The stateroom modifications are just one aspect of the ship’s extensive multi-million-dollar renovation, all part of the line’s wide-ranging “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement initiative. Carnival Sensation’s “extreme makeover” will also include a previously announced Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only area, and a redesigned tropical-themed main pool area.

            Additionally, all staterooms will be completely refurbished, as well as virtually all dining, dancing and entertainment venues.  Guest corridors will be renovated and a new “Circle C” facility catering to 12- to 14-year olds will be added, as well.

            Carnival Sensation currently operates year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla.  On this route, three-day cruises depart Thursdays and call at Nassau while four-day voyages depart Sundays and visit both Nassau and Freeport.

            The 70,000-ton SuperLiner is 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 currently has two ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.

            Carnival Sensation’s new and extended balcony staterooms will be open for reservations October 24, 2008.

Carnival Group Specials with great group rates, group amenities, and reduced free cruise credit for group leaders

Click the thumbnail below to enlarge the picture:

Carnival has annouced a special group offers with great group rates, group amenities, and reduced free cruise credit for group leaders until November 30, 2008 for 2009 eligible sailings.

The reduced free cruise credit for group leaders applied to the following length of sailing, instead of getting free cruise at the normal 8 double cabins (16 full paying guest):

3 to 5 night sailings: Free cruise credit begins at 6 double cabins booked (12 full paying guests):

6 nights or more sailings: Free cruise credit begins at 7 double cabins booked (14 full paying guests):

This special reduced free cruise credit only applies to eligible sailings only.  

All groups must start with at least 8 double cabins to continue the qualify for this reduced free cruise credit promo.

Group leaders are responsible for the NCF, government taxes and fees, and fuel supplement when paying for their free cruise fare portion.

All free cruise credit are based on the most cabin category type sold the most.

In event, there is a tiebreaker, the lowest cabin accommodation type will be used as the free cruise credit.

Click here for eligible sailings

Carnival’s Recharge Event Extended until October 31, 2008

Free Upgrade(s) on virtually any sailing through December 18th, 2009 Carnival’s October Recharge Event continues as we extend our FREE upgrade offer that your clients will love. This is their chance to plan a perfect escape now and sail later, a well-timed break to look forward to just when they need it the most. And, just for them, we are offering a stress-lowering deal on virtually  of our cruises. Between October 17th and 31st 2008, book your clients aboard virtually any “Fun Ship” cruise sailing before December 18, 2009 and they will receive a stateroom upgrade absolutely FREE. To learn more, just go to www.bookccl.com/recharge. Book by October 31st, 2008

Ship Port Dur Sail Date Itinerary Interior Ocean View Balcony Carnival Imagination MIA 3 12/4/09 Nassau $259 $289 N/A Carnival Sensation MCO 3 11/20; 12/4-12/11/08 Nassau $229 $259 N/A Carnival Imagination MIA 4 12/1/08 Key West & Cozumel $229 $259 N/A Carnival Sensation MCO 4 12/7, 12/14/08 Freeport & Nassau $229 $269 N/A Carnival Paradise LAX 4 11/3/08 Catalina & Ensenada $289 $319 N/A Carnival Fantasy MSY 5 12/8/08 Western Caribbean $309 $339 N/A Carnival Fascination JAX 5 1/24/09 Bahamas $329 $379 N/A Carnival Freedom FLL 6 2/8; 9/20; 12/13/09 Western Caribbean $499 $579 $729 Carnival Conquest GAL 7 12/07/08 Western Caribbean $569 $649 $729 Carnival Glory MCO 7 12/13/08; 9/19/09 Exotic W Caribbean $549 $649 $799 Carnival Liberty MIA 7 12/6-12/13/08 W & E Caribbean $549 $649 $799 Carnival Pride LAX 7 12/14/08 Mexican Riviera $559 $629 $739 Carnival Liberty MIA 7 12/12/09 Eastern Caribbean $579 $679 $829 Carnival Spirit SDG 8 11/12/08 Mexican Riviera $529 $679 $869 Carnival Freedom FLL 8 12/6/08 Eastern Caribbean $699 $859 $1049 Carnival Freedom FLL 8 5/09/09 Exotic W Caribbean $699 $849 $1079 Carnival Liberty LON 12 6/2-6/14/09 Northern Europe $1379 $1729 $2179 Carnival Liberty LON 12 6/26/09 Northern Europe $1399 $1749 $2249

Fuel supplement additional $9 per guest, per day based on double occupancy; additional $4 per guest, per day for third, fourth and fifth guests

Additional ships & sail dates are available.

Terms & Conditions: Cruise rates are in U.S. dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Offer is non-transferable, and has no cash value. No name changes. Fare code must be requested to receive promotion. Government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Full deposit required at the time of booking. Limited ocean view upgrades may be available on select ships. Category restrictions and exclusions apply. Minimum purchase of category 4A is required for inside cabins; category 6A for ocean view and category 8A for balconies. Combinable with Supersaver rates only. Offer is capacity controlled and is not combinable with any other discount or promotional offer. Rates are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Sailings within range may be slightly higher. Valid on new individual bookings made between, October 17th-October 31st, 2008 only. Offer expires at midnight EST on 10/31/08. Offer is valid on select 3-12 day sailings through 12/18/09. Bl ackout dates may apply. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Credit for previous purchases is not permitted and guests who previously booked, cancelled and then rebooked during this period are not eligible. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas & Panama

Top Carnival Individual Values for the week of October 16, 2008

Top FIT Deals

Sail Date Ship Port Days Itinerary Special FIT Rates I O B 3/4 Feb-06-09 Carnival Imagination Miami 3 Nassau $219 $259 N/A $129 Jan-29-09 Carnival Fantasy New Orleans 4 Western Caribbean $259 $279 N/A $189 Feb-09-09 Carnival Imagination Miami 4 Key West & Cozumel $249 $289 N/A $149 Feb-02-09 Carnival Paradise Long Beach (LAX) 4 Catalina & Ensenada $199 $219 N/A $119 Jan-19-09 Carnival Ecstasy Galveston 5 Western Caribbean $279 $299 N/A $209 Feb-02-09 Carnival Elation San Diego 5 Baja Mexico $279 $329 N/A $189 Jan-10-09 Carnival Fantasy New Orleans 5 Western Caribbean $269 $309 N/A $179 Feb-14-09 Carnival Libery Miami 7 Western Caribbean $549 $729 $929 $379 Feb-01-09 Carnival Pride Long Beach (LAX) 7 Mexican Riviera $479 N/A $689 $279 Jan-15-09 Carnival Spirit San Diego 8 Mexican Riviero $519 N/A $739 $299

^ Fuel supplement additional $9 per guest, per day based on double occupancy; additional $4 per guest, per day for third, fourth and fifth guests.Terms & Conditions- for PCD RATES: Cruise only rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, categories IS, OV, & BL. 3rd/4th pax rates based on IS categories. Government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Rates are capacity controlled and subject to change at any time without prior notice. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas & Panama. Terms & Conditions- for PGY RATES: Cruise rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, categories 4A or above , 6A or above and 8A or above. Government fees and taxes are additional. Cruise rates and Fun Points vary by ship and sail date and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply.Blackout dates apply. Shi ps’ Registry: The Bahamas.

FST: ST36334 · CST: 2034468-40 · NST: 2003-0221 · IC FST: ST36826

Carnival Spotlight Sailings for the week of October 16, 2008

Click here for information about selected spotlight sailings

Carnival Spirit 2009 Alaska Group Specials

Click here to view the offer

Carnival Fascination Sails With Evolutions of Fun Enhancements

Carnival Cruise Line’s Fascination has been offering four- and five-day cruises out of Jacksonville, Fl since Sept. 20. Now, the 2,052-passenger ship has completed a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the first phase in its “Evolutions of Fun” transformation.As part of the first phase both “Spa Carnival” and “Camp Carnival” have been added. Also, the Golf Program, a partnership with Elite Golf Cruises, through which passengers receive golf lessons, has been introduced on the ship.

Other upgrades include a new Atrium Bar, new professional lighting in all performance areas and all 1,026 staterooms have been upgraded with flat-screen TVS, new décor and other features.

Within the next two years, the Fascination will undergo the second phase of Carnival’s Evolutions of Fun, during which a large waterpark and an adults-only area will be added.

The Fascination is the only year-round ship departing from Jacksonville. The cruise line expects to carry 170,000 passengers annually from the port.

The Saturday five-day sailings feature ports of call to Half Moon Cay and Nassau, while the Monday five-day sailings visit Key West and Nassau. Four-day sailings, departing on Thursdays, stop in Freeport and Nassau.

Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy to return to Galveston on November 2, and November 1, 2008 respectively

Read the letters below:

Carnival Has New Branding

Fri Oct 24 2008, by Travel Trade Staff, credited and published by Traveltrade.com

Carnival Cruise Lines announced that a new branding campaign will debut this month under the tagline “Fun For All. All For Fun.” The new campaign will kick off with special events featuring Guinness World Record attempts in Dallas and Philadelphia.The first event, in Dallas yesterday, involved setting a Guinness record for the world’s largest beach ball. The second event, to take place in Philadelphia on Nov. 2, will feature a Guinness attempt for the world’s largest piñata. Footage from the events will be used to create two TV spots, which will soon begin airing nationally, and eventually in select local markets as well.

The new campaign also includes both a consumer and trade magazine component with new travel trade ads beginning Nov. 10 and a series of four consumer ads scheduled to run in People the weeks of Nov. 17 through Dec. 8.

The campaign also features a variety of online elements, including Towel Animal Theatre, which involves a series of online videos that depict towel animals, a signature Carnival cruise feature, having amusing conversations with each other while the stateroom’s occupants are away. The videos capture the fun, whimsical kind of spirit that towel animals bring to the overall Carnival vacation experience. The videos are currently running as part of an advertising buy on abc.com and beginning Nov. 3 will be available for viewing and downloading at www.carnival.com/funville. The new “Funville” Web portal will also feature a number of other video assets, along with interactive opportunities.

The new campaign was created by Arnold Worldwide of Boston, the agency’s first major brand work for the world’s largest cruise line since Arnold was hired in May. To develop the campaign’s creative concept, Arnold conducted an intensive study involving more than 3,000 consumers, many of whom are Carnival customers.

“There is a real kind of meaningful fun on Carnival – their cruise experience is uniquely social, participatory, uninhibited and gives people the freedom to be who they are,” said Pete Favat, Arnold’s chief creative officer. “In today’s land of ‘too’ – as in too much work and not enough fun, we’re showing how Carnival’s brand of fun is more valuable than ever before.”

Added Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience, “In today’s chaotic world, people are overworked and overstressed. Research indicates that an estimated 51 million Americans will not use all of their vacation days this year. Carnival is on a mission to remind people that not only should leisure time and fun not be sacrificed within our lives, but today it is more important than ever, and a Carnival cruise provides a truly exceptional vacation environment for people to thoroughly relax and enjoy themselves,” he added.

The Fun For All. All For Fun tag, along with a new look and feel, will be fully integrated throughout all appropriate communication channels, including brochures, direct mail and trade communications. These myriad components of Carnival’s new branding campaign are the first of a number of new marketing initiatives planned for the coming year.

 

Carnival Cruise Lines Announces New ‘Fun for All. All for Fun’ Branding

Thu Oct 23 2008, by TravelTrade Staff, credited and published by traveltrade.com 

Carnival Cruise Lines will debut a new branding campaign this month under the tagline “Fun For All. All For Fun.” The new campaign will kick off with special events featuring Guinness World Record attempts in Dallas and Philadelphia.The first event, to occur in Dallas this Sunday, will involve setting a Guinness record for the world’s largest beach ball. The second event, to take place in Philadelphia on Nov. 2, will feature a Guinness attempt for the world’s largest piñata. Footage from the events will be used to create two TV spots, which will soon begin airing nationally, and eventually in select local markets as well.

The new campaign also includes both a consumer and trade magazine component with new travel trade ads beginning Nov. 10 and a series of four consumer ads scheduled to run in People the weeks of Nov. 17 through Dec. 8.

The campaign also features a variety of online elements, including Towel Animal Theatre, which involves a series of online videos that depict towel animals, a signature Carnival cruise feature, having amusing conversations with each other while the stateroom’s occupants are away. The videos capture the fun, whimsical kind of spirit that towel animals bring to the overall Carnival vacation experience. The videos are currently running as part of an advertising buy on abc.com and beginning Nov. 3 will be available for viewing and downloading at www.carnival.com/funville. The new “Funville” Web portal will also feature a number of other video assets, along with interactive opportunities.

The new campaign was created by Arnold Worldwide of Boston, the agency’s first major brand work for the world’s largest cruise line since Arnold was hired in May. To develop the campaign’s creative concept, Arnold conducted an intensive study involving more than 3,000 consumers, many of whom are Carnival customers.

“There is a real kind of meaningful fun on Carnival – their cruise experience is uniquely social, participatory, uninhibited and gives people the freedom to be who they are,” said Pete Favat, Arnold’s chief creative officer. “In today’s land of ‘too’ – as in too much work and not enough fun, we’re showing how Carnival’s brand of fun is more valuable than ever before.”

Added Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience, “In today’s chaotic world, people are overworked and overstressed. Research indicates that an estimated 51 million Americans will not use all of their vacation days this year. Carnival is on a mission to remind people that not only should leisure time and fun not be sacrificed within our lives, but today it is more important than ever, and a Carnival cruise provides a truly exceptional vacation environment for people to thoroughly relax and enjoy themselves,” he added.

The Fun For All. All For Fun tag, along with a new look and feel, will be fully integrated throughout all appropriate communication channels, including brochures, direct mail and trade communications. These myriad components of Carnival’s new branding campaign are the first of a number of new marketing initiatives planned for the coming year.

Noam Murro will direct the TV spots. Murro is well known for his award-winning commercials for Volkswagen, Hummer, “Monsters” and Nike. Most recently, he directed the movie “Smart People.”

CARNIVAL LIBERTY TO OPERATE YEAR-ROUND SEVEN-DAY CRUISES FROM MIAMI BEGINNING APRIL 2009; INTRODUCTION OF YEAR-ROUND CRUISES FROM BALTIMORE ON CARNIVAL PRIDE MOVED UP TO SPRING

   MIAMI (October 27, 2008) – Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that its Miami-based Carnival Liberty, which was originally scheduled to reposition to Europe in May 2009, will instead remain in Miami to operate year-round Caribbean cruises.

        The Carnival Liberty will continue to offer its existing schedule of seven-day Caribbean cruises through next spring and then introduce a new seven-day program from Miami beginning in April 2009. 

In turn, the Carnival Pride, currently based in Long Beach, Calif., and originally scheduled to shift to Miami for a five-month Caribbean deployment from April through August, will instead launch its Baltimore-based program on April 27, 2009. 

Prior to its Baltimore deployment, Carnival Pride will operate its previously scheduled Panama Canal cruise from Long Beach, Calif., to Miami March 22–April 5, 2009, as well as a six-day cruise departing April 5 and two seven-day Caribbean cruises departing April 11 and 18, 2009, all operating from Miami. 

        “Based on current market conditions, continued economic uncertainty and high air costs to Europe, we are shifting our focus to an even greater extent toward our core, close-to-home cruise options which are clearly the preference of the vast majority of the mainstream vacation market right now,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.  “We are excited that this change in deployment will also enable us to bring the Carnival Pride to Baltimore four months earlier than originally planned to start up that city’s first year-round cruise program, which is proving to be extremely popular based on advanced bookings so far,” he added.

        Cahill noted that Carnival will still offer several European cruises next year when the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream – the line’s newest and largest ship – debuts with a series of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) in September and October 2009. Carnival Dream will also operate a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York in late October 2009.

         Cahill said that the company will be offering assistance in finding vacation alternatives to Carnival Liberty guests who were scheduled to sail in Europe, including European cruises on Carnival’s sister companies that have a strong presence in the region such as Holland America and Princess. “We understand that our guests who were scheduled to sail in Europe are going to be disappointed by this development and we sincerely apologize to them for this disruption to their vacation plans. Europe remains a desirable vacation choice for many and we will endeavor to help our guests find alternative plans to sail within the region,” he said.

 

Existing Bookings – Carnival Liberty and Carnival Pride

        Guests booked on the Carnival Liberty Europe cruises will be provided special onboard credit offers toward other 2009 Carnival cruises, including the Carnival Dream European departures. In addition, Carnival will assist guests with the cost of changes/cancellations for non-refundable air transportation.

Guests who were booked on the Carnival Pride’s Caribbean cruises from April 25, 2009 to August 29, 2009 from Miami will be automatically shifted to the same accommodations on the Carnival Liberty.  The Carnival Liberty will also operate the same itineraries as previously scheduled on the Carnival Pride.     

 

Carnival Liberty’s New Seven-Day Caribbean Cruises From Miami

        Carnival Liberty will continue its current program of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami through April 18, 2009 then assume a new schedule of weeklong cruises to the Western and Exotic Eastern Caribbean beginning Saturday, April 25, 2009, through November 28, 2009.  The new Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruise route will feature Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands.  The western route will visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico

 

Carnival Pride’s New Spring/Summer Departures From Baltimore

        Carnival Pride will launch Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program beginning on April 27, 2009, four months ahead of the original schedule.  >From April 27, 2009 to September 6, 2009, the ship will operate a series of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises.  These cruises will visit a wide variety of ports including Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay (a private Bahamian island), Port Canaveral (Orlando) and Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos.

       

Reservations

        Carnival will begin accepting reservations for the new Carnival Liberty and Carnival Pride programs from Miami and Baltimore beginning October 30, 2008.   For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

###

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.

Carnival’s World’s Largest Piñata Event Moved

Published and credited by modernagent.com on: October 29, 2008

Carnival Cruise Lines will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest piñata on Nov. 2, but the location has been changed due to the World Series, in which the Philadelphia Phillies are playing. The event will now be held in South Philadelphia, at South Broad Street and Washington Avenue, from noon to 3 p.m. The six-story-tall piñata will be destroyed at approximately 1:30 p.m., dropping about 8,000 pounds of candy onto gatherers. The day will also feature free food, live music, cruise giveaways and a Fun Booth of activities that can be shared online with friends. Those attending the event have the opportunity to be in Carnival’s new TV commercial and enter to win one of five free seven-day Caribbean cruises. For more information, visit www.carnival.com.

Carnival Spirit Remaining 2009 Alaska Group Specials with Group Amenities

Click here for more additional information

Carnival’s One Day Sale

Carnival Cruise Lines will host a ONE DAY SALE on Thursday, October 30th, 2008. 

With a Private Preview day on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 for preferred customers.

This promotion will offer BEST AVAILABLE UPGRADES,

up to 6 category upgrade on most sailings through 12/18/09.

Sailings starting from $229… 

Carnival Liberty to Operate Year-Round Seven-Day Cruises From Miami Beginning April 2009; Introduction of Year-Round Cruises From Baltimore on Carnival Pride Moved Up to Spring

 

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that its Miami-based Carnival Liberty, which was originally scheduled to reposition to Europe in May 2009, will instead remain in Miami to operate year-round Caribbean cruises.

            The Carnival Liberty will continue to offer its existing schedule of seven-day Caribbean cruises through next spring and then introduce a new seven-day program from Miami beginning in April 2009. 

            In turn, the Carnival Pride, currently based in Long Beach, Calif., and originally scheduled to shift to Miami for a five-month Caribbean deployment from April through August, will instead launch its Baltimore-based program on April 27, 2009. 

            Prior to its Baltimore deployment, Carnival Pride will operate its previously scheduled Panama Canal cruise from Long Beach, Calif., to Miami March 22–April 5, 2009, as well as a six-day cruise departing April 5 and two seven-day Caribbean cruises departing April 11 and 18, 2009, all operating from Miami. 

            “Based on current market conditions, continued economic uncertainty and high air costs to Europe, we are shifting our focus to an even greater extent toward our core, close-to-home cruise options which are clearly the preference of the vast majority of the mainstream vacation market right now,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “We are excited that this change in deployment will also enable us to bring the Carnival Pride to Baltimore four months earlier than originally planned to start up that city’s first year-round cruise program, which is proving to be extremely popular based on advanced bookings so far,” he added.

            Cahill noted that Carnival will still offer several European cruises next year when the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream – the line’s newest and largest ship – debuts with a series of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) in September and October 2009. Carnival Dream will also operate a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York in late October 2009.

            Cahill said that the company will be offering assistance in finding vacation alternatives to Carnival Liberty guests who were scheduled to sail in Europe, including European cruises on Carnival’s sister companies that have a strong presence in the region such as Holland America and Princess.

             “We understand that our guests who were scheduled to sail in Europe are going to be disappointed by this development and we sincerely apologize to them for this disruption to their vacation plans. Europe remains a desirable vacation choice for many and we will endeavor to help our guests find alternative plans to sail within the region,” he said.

 

Existing Bookings – Carnival Liberty and Carnival Pride

            Guests booked on the Carnival Liberty Europe cruises will be provided special onboard credit offers toward other 2009 Carnival cruises, including the Carnival Dream European departures. In addition, Carnival will assist guests with the cost of changes/cancellations for non-refundable air transportation.

            Guests who were booked on the Carnival Pride’s Caribbean cruises from April 25, 2009 to August 29, 2009 from Miami will be automatically shifted to the same accommodations on the Carnival Liberty.  The Carnival Liberty will also operate the same itineraries as previously scheduled on the Carnival Pride.     

 

Carnival Liberty’s New Seven-Day Caribbean Cruises From Miami

            Carnival Liberty will continue its current program of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami through April 18, 2009 then assume a new schedule of weeklong cruises to the Western and Exotic Eastern Caribbean beginning Saturday, April 25, 2009, through November 28, 2009.  The new Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruise route will feature Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands.  The western route will visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico

 
Carnival Pride’s New Spring/Summer Departures From Baltimore

            Carnival Pride will launch Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program beginning on April 27, 2009, four months ahead of the original schedule.  From April 27, 2009 to September 6, 2009, the ship will operate a series of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises.  These cruises will visit a wide variety of ports including Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay (a private Bahamian island), Port Canaveral (Orlando) and Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos.

Changes being made for existing reservations:

Carnival One-Day Sale on October 30, 2008

Click the thumbnail below to enlarge the offer:

Carnival Military Specials

Click the offers below to enlarge:

This rate are good for active and retired military personnel only. Please provide the proper document as proof you have served in the military.

Carnival Increases Close-to-Home Cruises

Fri Oct 31 2008, credited and published by Travel Trade News

Carnival Cruise Lines is increasing its focus on core close-to-home cruise vacations with changes in deployments for Carnival Liberty and Carnival Pride sailing from Miami and Baltimore, respectively.Carnival Liberty, originally scheduled to reposition to Europe in May 2009, will instead remain in Miami to operate year-round Caribbean cruises.

The Carnival Liberty will continue to offer its existing schedule of seven-day Caribbean cruises through next spring and then introduce a new seven-day Exotic Eastern and Western Caribbean program in April 2009.

In turn, the Carnival Pride, currently based in Long Beach, CA and originally scheduled to shift to Miami for Caribbean cruises from April through August 2009, will instead launch its Baltimore-based program on April 27, 2009.

Prior to its Baltimore deployment, Carnival Pride will operate its previously scheduled Panama Canal cruise from Long Beach to Miami, March 22-April 5, 2009, as well as a six-day cruise April 5 and two seven-day Caribbean cruises April 11 and 18, 2009, all from Miami.

“Based on current market conditions, continued economic uncertainty and high air costs to Europe, we are shifting our focus to an even greater extent toward our core, close-to-home cruise options which are clearly the preference of the vast majority of the mainstream vacation market right now,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

“We are excited that this change in deployment will also enable us to bring the Carnival Pride to Baltimore four months earlier than originally planned to start up that city’s first year-round cruise program, which is proving to be extremely popular based on advanced bookings so far,” he added.

Cahill noted that Carnival will still offer several Europe cruises next year when the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream – the line’s newest and largest ship – debuts with a series of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) in September and October 2009. Carnival Dream will also operate a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York in late October 2009.

 

Existing Bookings

Cahill said that the company will be offering assistance in finding vacation alternatives for Carnival Liberty guests scheduled to sail in Europe, including European cruises on Carnival’s sister companies that have a strong presence in the region, such as Holland America and Princess.

Guests booked on the Carnival Liberty Europe cruises will get special onboard credit offers toward other 2009 Carnival cruises, including the Carnival Dream European departures. In addition, Carnival will assist guests with the cost of changes/cancellations for nonrefundable air transportation.

Guests booked on the Carnival Pride’s Caribbean cruises from April 25, 2009 to Aug. 29, 2009 from Miami will be automatically shifted to the same accommodations on the Carnival Liberty. The Carnival Liberty will also operate the same itineraries as previously scheduled on the Carnival Pride.

 

Carnival Liberty’s New Caribbean Cruises

Carnival Liberty will continue its current program of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami through April 18, 2009 then assume a new schedule of weeklong cruises to the Western and Exotic Eastern Caribbean beginning Saturday, April 25, 2009, through Nov. 28, 2009.

The new Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruise route will feature Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk. The Western route will visit Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

 

Carnival Pride From Baltimore

Carnival Pride will launch Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program on April 27, 2009, four months ahead of the original schedule. From April 27 to Sept. 6, 2009, the ship will operate a series of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises. These cruises will visit a wide variety of ports, including Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay, Port Canaveral (Orlando) and Grand Turk.

Carnival Spotlight Sailings for October 30, 2008

Click the thumbnail below to enlarge the offer:

Fuel supplement and government taxes/fees are not included in the cruise fare.

Carnival New York Resident Rates Cruises

CARNIVAL FREEDOM 6 Day Ft Lauderdale 1/30-12/14/08 $299*

CARNIVAL CONQUEST 7 Day Houston/Galveston 11/2-12/28/08, 1/4-2/8, 2/22/09 $349

CARNIVAL GLORY 7 Day Pt Canaveral 11/8-12/20/08; 1/24-1/31, 2/28, 3/21/09 $299

CARNIVAL LEGEND 7 Day Tampa 12/14/08 $649*

CARNIVAL PRIDE 7 Day Long Beach (LAX) 11/30-12/7/08 $339*

CARNIVAL FREEDOM 8 Day Ft Lauderdale 11/22/08 $349

CARNIVAL MIRACLE 8 Day Ft Lauderdale 11/13-12/15/08; 1/24-3/5/09 $449

CARNIVAL SPIRIT 8 Day San Diego 11/4-12/14/08 $379*

Fuel supplement additional $9 per guest, per day based on double occupancy; additional $4 per guest, per day for third, fourth and fi fth guests.

*Rates are based on cat. 4A or higher

Cruise only rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy, minimum category 1A. Government fees/taxes are additional for all guests.Offer is capacity controlled and is not applicable

with any other discount or promotional offer. Promotion is booked under fare code

 

 

 

PR1. Some restrictions (including category/stateroom availability) apply. Rates vary according to saildate.Offer available to Alabama residents only. Proof of residency required at time of embarkation. Rates are subject to change without prior notice and are subject to availability. Ships’ Registry:

The Bahamas and Panama

 

Carnival President’s Day Air Specials

Carnival Spotlight Sailings for November 6, 2008

Click the thumbnails below to enlarge the pictures:

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Carnival Last Minute Holiday Extravangza period for November 10 to 17, 2008

Click the thumbnails below to enlarge the offers:

Terms & Conditions:

Cruise rates are in U.S. dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Offer has no cash value. No name changes. Full deposit required at time of booking. Minimum purchase category 4A. Savings based on supersaver rates. Offer is capacity controlled and is not combinable with any other

discount or promotional offer. Rates are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Sailings within range may be slightly higher. Category restrictions apply. Valid on new bookings only. Offer expires

at midnight EST on Monday 11/17/08. Applicable on select sailings between 12/12/08-12/31/08. Blackout dates may apply. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Ship’s Registry: Panama & The Bahamas.

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Carnival Best Values Around the week of November 20, 2008

Top Group Values
Sail Date	Ship	Port	Days	Itinerary	Special Group Rates			Fun
					Int	OV	Bal	Points
Apr-30-09	Carnival Elation	San Diego	3	Ensenada	$269	$309	N/A	5
May-03-09	Carnival Elation	San Diego	4	Catalina & Ensenada	$209	$259	N/A	5
May-17-09	Carnival Sensation	Pt Canaveral	4	Freeport & Nassau	$329	$369	N/A	5
Apr-04-09	Carnival Ecstasy	Galveston	5	Western Caribbean	$369	$399	N/A	4
May-11-09	Carnival Fantasy	New Orleans	5	Western Caribbean	$299	$349	N/A	3
Apr-27-09	Carnival Pride	Baltimore	6	Freeport & Nassau	$439	N/A	$669	5
May-16-09	Carnival Liberty	Miami	7	Western Caribbean	$549	$669	$839	5
May-23-09	Carnival Pride	Baltimore	7	Exotic W Caribbean	$549	N/A	$809	5
May-13-09	Carnival Spirit	Vancouver	7	Alaska Northbound	$479	$729	$849	5
Jun-03-09	Carnival Spirit	Anchorage	7	Southbound Alaska	$589	N/A	$1,029	5
Top FIT Values
Sail Date	Ship	Port	Days	Itinerary	Special FIT Rates
					I	O	B	3rd/4th Rate
Mar-22-09	Carnival Freedom	Ft Lauderdale	6	Western Caribbean	$469	$569	$729	$379
Feb-28-09	Carnival Liberty	Miami	7	Western Caribbean	$489	$609	$779	$309
Feb-22-09	Carnival Valor	Miami	7	Eastern Caribbean	$449	$589	$749	$279
Mar-29-09	Carnival Victory	San Juan	7	Southern Caribbean	$529	$649	$829	$409
Feb-14-09	Carnival Freedom	Ft Lauderdale	8	Exotic W Caribbean	$549	$699	$1,049	$399

 

For group cruises 3 and 4 nights, 16 double cabins are required to book.

For group cruises 5 nights or longer, 8 double cabins are required to book.

^ Fuel supplement additional $9 per guest, per day based on double occupancy; additional $4 per guest, per day for third, fourth and fifth guests.

Terms & Conditions- Cruise only rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, categories IS, OV, & BL. 3rd/4th pax rates based on IS categories. Government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Rates are capacity controlled and subject to change at any time without prior notice. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas & Panama. Terms & Conditions- Cruise rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, categories 4A or above , 6A or above and 8A or above. Government fees and taxes are additional. Cruise rates and Fun Points vary by ship and sail date and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply.Blackout dates apply. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas.

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Carnival Boosts Capacity on 2010 NYC Departures

Published on: November 21, 2008 and credited by modernagent.com

– advertisement –

Carnival Cruise Lines will increase capacity on its seasonal cruise program from New York in 2010 with the 2,978-passenger Carnival Glory scheduled to operate a variety of four- and five-day Atlantic Canada voyages from June to September, followed by five one-week fall foliage cruises. It will be the first time that Carnival has deployed one of its largest ships on the program. Four-day cruises departing Thursdays feature a call at Saint John, New Brunswick, as well as scenic cruising in the Bay of Fundy. Five-day cruises departing on Mondays and Saturdays include stops at Saint John and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The program commences with a four-day voyage departing June 6, 2010 (a one-time Sunday departure). One-week fall foliage itineraries beginning Sept. 11, 2010, feature four ports of call, including Boston; Portland, Maine; Saint John; and Halifax.

FUEL SUPPLEMENT SUSPENSION

December 4, 2008

As fuel prices continue to decline, Carnival has announced that it will suspend the fuel supplement for all voyages departing on or after December 17, 2008.

Effective December 4, 2008, for all new bookings on cruises departing on or after December 17, 2008, the fuel supplement will not be charged.

For all existing bookings made prior to December 4, 2008 for cruises departing on or after December 17, 2008, the fuel supplement will be refunded. The refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period. All bookings outside of the final payment period will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.

Carnival reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel.

We are hopeful that fuel prices have stabilized and will remain at a more rational level. The suspension of the fuel supplement will make our cruise vacations even more affordable and enhance the value of a Carnival cruise. In this tough economic environment, we are pleased to be able to offer our guests a great cruise vacation at an even more affordable price.

Carnival to the Saint Lawrence in 2010

written and credited by cruiseindustrynews.com

Carnival Cruise Lines will be sailing a new nine-day itinerary from New York to Quebec in 2009, featuring three calls on the Saint Lawrence – Quebec City, Baie-Comeau and Havre-Saint-Pierre, according to the Feb. 12 issue of the Cruise Saint Lawrence newsletter.

    In Baie-Comeau, the city’s new Garden of Glaciers will offer three different tour programs, from one to eight hours, accommodating up to a 1,000 passengers at time, to illustrate the impact of both the last ice age and global warming.

    Other tours offered in Baie-Comeau including flight-sightseeing; wildlife and nature observation by kayaks or zodiacs; city tours; introductions to the history of the region and the life of local pioneers; and much more.

    Baie Comeau’s new port facilities will also be ready this summer (2009) and for the 2010 arrivals by Carnival. Downtown has also undergone a facelift.

    Havre-Saint-Pierre is in the heart of the Mingan region allowing passengers easy access to explore the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, home to unique local flora and an extraordinary collection of monoliths. Tours also include surrounding villages; hiking, kayaking, wildlife observations, introduction to the Inuit culture and more.

    The Port of Quebec has been a key driver in getting the cruise traffic, and will see 2009 calls by among others Holland America Line, NCL, Travel Dynamics, American Canadian Caribbean Line, Silversea, Crystal, Fred. Olsen,, Princess, Canadian Sailing Expeditions. In addition, AIDA and Costa Crociere are also sailing on the Saint Lawrence, bringing European passengers to this region of Canada.

    Carnival’s Vice President of Marketing Planning Joan DiPietro, commented to Cruise Industry News that the area is like Alaska was 25 years ago in terms of the dramatic scenery and attractions.

    Quebec recorded more than 81,000 passengers and 31,400 crew members on ships visiting ini 2008, a 20 percent increase over 2007.

Carnival Best Group Values for the week of January 15, 2009

Top Group Values
Sail Date	Ship	Port	Days	Itinerary	Special Group Rates			Fun
					Int	OV	Bal	Points
			Minimum 16 double cabins booked
Sep-25-09	Carnival Imagination	Miami	3	Nassau	$179	$209	N/A	5
Sep-27-09	Carnival Elation	San Diego	4	Catalina & Ensenada	$219	$269	N/A	5
Oct-19-09	Carnival Paradise	(LAX)Long Beach	4	Catalina & Ensenada	$239	$289	N/A	5
Oct-31-09	Carnival Fantasy	New Orleans	5	Western Caribbean	$279	$329	N/A	4
			Minimum 8 double cabins booked (16 people)
Nov-01-09	Carnival Freedom	Ft Lauderdale	6	Western Caribbean	$429	$509	$659	5
Nov-01-09	Carnival Conquest	Galveston	7	Western Caribbean	$479	$599	$769	4
Oct-31-09	Carnival Glory	Pt Canaveral	7	Exotic W Caribbean	$449	$549	$699	5
Oct-24-09	Carnival Liberty	Miami	7	Western Caribbean	$469	$569	$719	5
Nov-29-09	Carnival Valor	Miami	7	Exotic W Caribbean	$449	$549	$699	5
Nov-03-09	Carnival Spirit	San Diego	8	Mexican Riviera	$539	N/A	$759	6

FST: ST36334 · CST: 2034468-40 · NST: 2003-0221 · IC FST: ST36826

Terms & Conditions: Cruise rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, categories 4B or above , 6B or above and 8B or above. Government fees and taxes are additional. Cruise rates and Fun Points vary by ship and sail date and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply.Blackout dates apply. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas.

Carnival Top Individual Reservation Values for January 15, 2009

Top FIT Values
Sail Date	Ship	Port	Days	Itinerary	Special FIT Rates
					I	O	B
May-03-09	Carnival Conquest	Galveston	7	Western Caribbean	$649	$779	$979
Apr-18-09	Carnival Glory	Pt Canaveral	7	Exotic W Caribbean	$529	$659	$859
May-06-09	Carnival Spirit	Vancouver	7	Glacier Bay Alaska	$619	N/A	$949
Apr-12-09	Carnival Splendor	(LAX)Long Beach	7	Mexican Riviera	$689	$889	$1,039

The company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel.

Terms & Conditions: Cruise only rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, categories IS, OV, & BL. 3rd/4th pax rates based on IS categories. Government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Rates are capacity controlled and subject to change at any time without prior notice. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas & Panama.  Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply.Blackout dates apply. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas.

The best promo out there on a Carnival cruise is the past guest with 2 cat upgrade combo without deposit restrictions

When I posting the previous article on Carnival offering the new type of fare call the “early savers” with non-refundable deposit restrictions, I felt Carnival is in a hurry looking for cash to hold in this downturn economy by imposing huge non-refundable deposits in exchange by offering a lower price for booking early.

What I found was the past guest with 2 cat upgrade combo with refundable deposits are the one of Carnival’s best discount promo for past guests out there without having to worry to lose the entire deposit if emergencies occurred before final payment.

The past guest with 2 cat upgrade combo are good from interior to balcony cabins and it is averaged $20 more than the early saver as a better value because it is refundable, you are able to get the best cabin assigned upgrades on available cabins on 2 categories more for similar accomodations.

For past guests, the risk factor for booking an early saver is far greater than paying the extra $20 more as an insurance before final payment if you are running through emergencies.

Let me give you an example of this high risk scenario of booking an early saver versus past guest with 2 cat upgrade combo:

Carnival Miracle September 29, 2008, Category 4A (Riviera, interior cabin) per person based on double occupancy:

Early Saver rate: $649 per person (no upgrades, but price protection guarantee if the price is lower when you booked after, it is a gimmick!)

Past Guest with 2 cat upgrade combo (4C for the price of 4a): $669 per person

($20 more, but you are paying a little more for a peace of mind and comfort in case of an emergency, and a better cabin assignment from the upgrade, think the larger picture!)

What happened if you run into an emergency before final payment:

Early Saver rate booked cancellation penalty before final payment: $300 per person ($600 for the cabin)-you have lost $600 already!

Past Guest with 2 cat upgrade combo promo: No cancellation penalties, but you did not get to go. No hard feelings!

My suggestion to past guest cruisers of Carnival: Stop shopping and book now with a refundable deposit for your past guest promo with 2 cat upgrade combo. When you see this best value like this, it will not last long, book now!

These promos are good in individual reservations only.

Early Saver rates can be seen on group reservations as well, but I do not apply this type of rate code for future group cruises in my business mix because of the huge risk involved with groups.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES UNVEILS UNPRECEDENTED NEW EARLY BOOKING

MIAMI (January 9, 2009) – Carnival Cruise Lines is launching an exciting new cruise pricing option called Early Saver which offers fares as much as 25 percent lower than the best generally available rates and provides rate protection if rates later drop below what the consumer originally paid.  Early Saver further enhances the exceptional value of a Carnival cruise vacation.

Early Saver rates will be available beginning January 12, 2009 and offered up to three months prior to sailing date for cruises of five days or less and up to five months prior to sailing date for longer length voyages, subject to availability.  Early Saver fares include all stateroom types, including suites.

The Early Saver rate protection feature provides that if a lower Carnival advertised rate becomes available after the booking is made, a rate adjustment can be requested and the cruise line will issue the difference in the form of a non-refundable shipboard credit.  The lower fare must be for the same ship, sailing date, stateroom category and number of guests.

“Early Saver is a fantastic savings opportunity for those who are able to plan ahead and book early,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience.  “It is designed to provide consumers with complete confidence that the fare they are booking is the lowest Carnival rate available and that in the event they find a lower fare later, they need simply submit a rate protection request and we will provide a shipboard credit equal to the difference.”

When booking an Early Saver fare, consumers are able to choose a specific stateroom. The standard required deposit is immediately non-refundable at time of booking.  Any changes in ship or sailing date outside of Carnival’s standard penalty period require a $50 change fee.  For changes inside the penalty period, normal penalties apply.

To request a price adjustment, a rate protection form must be completed and emailed to Carnival. Consumers can access the form via the cruise line’s web site at carnival.com or their travel agent may complete the form via the cruise line’s travel agent web portal.  The lower rate must be available at the time the form is submitted and rate adjustments will be processed within two business days. Rate adjustment requests can be submitted up to two business days prior to the cruise departure date.

Early Saver fares are available for both individual and group reservations.

The Early Saver fare program will be available on virtually all Carnival ships and itineraries, which include voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda and South America.  The fares are subject to availability and certain restrictions apply. 

Last minute Carnival Miracle May 8, 2009 group special rates with $50 per person onboard credit

These rates expired on January 26, 2009 with full payment and it will not last long. The best thing is to call and book now.

Top 8 reasons to book a Carnival Cruise meeting and incentive program

1) One all inclusive price you’ll know upfront.

2) Meeting rooms free of charge with complimentary A/V equipment.

3) Access to award-winning Carnival Corporate University training.

4) Wide choice of departure ports, ships, and cruise lengths.

5) Unpack once, visit many destinations and still meet your business objectives.

6) Customize any special functions, from golf outings to onboard receptions.

7) Save time with preplanned menus for your participants.

30 years’ worth of experience with a 98% satisfaction rating.

Carnival Cruise Lines Releases Carnival Dream Renderings

Published on: December 23, 2008 and credited by modernagent.com

Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled a new series of renderings of the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, the largest Fun Ship ever constructed, which is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009. The new image gallery and blog are available at www.carnival.com/dream. Included among the site’s new digital renderings are images of the ship’s Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, featuring the longest water slides at sea; a nine-deck atrium that will provide access to the ship’s bars, lounges and nightspots; and Ocean Plaza, a new, indoor/outdoor entertainment area offering ocean views. Examples of the ship’s décor, including renderings of the dance club, the casino, the piano bar and dining venues, are also included.
The website also includes a link to a new blog by John Heald, senior cruise director, who takes readers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship. In addition to overviews of the aqua park and Ocean Plaza, Heald’s first-person account includes a look at the ship’s 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa — the largest in the Fun Ship fleet — along with a new area called The Lanai, a wrap-around promenade that encircles the ship. Heald pays particular attention to the ship’s accommodation categories, which include new “cove balcony” staterooms located closer to the water line and deluxe ocean view staterooms that will feature five berths and two bathrooms. The blog also includes several videos of Heald as he tours the various areas of the ship and interacts with shipyard workers.
The Carnival Dream will debut with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through Oct. 27, 2009. The ship will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing to New York, Oct. 27 through Nov. 12. From New York, it will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23. Then, following a nine-day cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla., the ship will launch year-round, seven-day Caribbean service from that port Dec. 12.

Types of Carnival Cruise Line Cabin Accomodations

Once you have chosen your cruise ship and destination you will need to find the perfect stateroom for your needs. Carnival offers a wide array of staterooms. You will be pleasantly surprised when you see photos of available choices. By visiting the Carnival website’s “Fun Ships” link you can see photos of the staterooms available on each ship. Every Carnival guest is assured spacious, comfortable accommodations with soft carpeting, indirect lighting, and climate control. Other standard items are: safety deposit box, ample drawer and closet space, telephone, color television with first-run movies featured daily, 110 AC current, complimentary toiletries, personal attention, Carnival’s Comfort Bed sleep system, and nightly turndown service. Suites and Penthouse Suites. Extra large accommodations with separate sitting area and private balcony. Features a large vanity/dressing table, refrigerator, and entertainment area with VCR. Additionally, a whirlpool bath and walk-in closet are available in all suites. Balcony. Most balcony staterooms also have a separate sitting area for added comfort. Sitting outdoors in privacy where you can relax and admire the passing scenery adds immensely to the cruising experience. Ocean View. Large stateroom picture windows give excellent views of the ocean and each destination. Room-darkening draperies close in seconds for an afternoon nap or late rise in the morning. Interior. Interior staterooms are an excellent vacation value. The spacious accommodations include most of the same amenities as ocean view rooms without a picture window. Some have an extra pull-down bed making them ideal for families. When planning cruises for singles and families consider the following: Singles. Guests traveling by themselves add 50% to the cruise tariff for category 1A, or 100% to the cruise tariff for categories 4A through 12. Most categories 4A to 6D have twin beds that easily convert to a king-size bed. Families. Staterooms with twin beds and two upper beds are ideal for adults traveling with children. Upon request rollaway beds are available on select ships and cribs are available on all ships upon request. Quadruple staterooms are available on most decks of our fleet. (Destiny, Spirit, and Conquest Class ships offer Family Staterooms conveniently located near the Children’s Playroom. “Fun Ships” also have connecting staterooms.)

Why plan a Carnival Cruise Vacation?

A “Fun Ship” Carnival cruise offer you the widest range of cruise options on the most entertaining cruise ships in the industry. The accommodations, amenities, dining, and activities offer many possibilities for you to plan in one whole included price. Plus, all of these exciting itineraries and entertainment options are priced at an incredible value. Most importantly, Carnival truly cares about the well being of the environment, yourself, and your community.