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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 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.