MIAMI (June 23, 2010) – Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston beginning Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the largest cruise ship based at the port year-round. Additionally, the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will reposition from New Orleans to Galveston to operate year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Oct. 6, 2011.
Homeporting the Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph in Galveston represents the largest-ever capacity commitment by a cruise line to Texas. With these deployments, Carnival expects to carry more than 450,000 guests annually from Galveston – a 28 percent increase over the current year.
In turn, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest and 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy, both of which are currently based in Galveston, will reposition to New Orleans to operate year-round departures from that port, returning the line to pre-Katrina capacity levels there. With Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy, the line is expected to carry nearly 340,000 passengers annually from New Orleans – the most of any cruise operator.
Enchantment of the Seas sailed into Baltimore harbor today to inaugurate a second year-round Northeast U.S. port for vacationers to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The 2,252-guest, double occupancy, Enchantment of Seas offers a variety of onboard amenities that cater to families, coupled with delectable dining options and compelling itineraries to make for a memorable cruise vacation.
“The State of Maryland welcomes Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas for year-round cruising from the Port of Baltimore,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “Even in these tough times, Baltimore’s geographic location, its entertainment and cultural attractions and our cruise terminal’s easy access off of Interstate 95 continue to attract passengers in record-setting numbers."
In the 2010-2011 summer and autumn seasons,vacationers can choose among five-night Bermuda, nine-night Eastern Caribbean and nine-night New England and Canada itineraries aboard Enchantment of the Seas. In winter and spring 2010-2012, vacationers can choose among nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries. Enchantment of the Seas and voyager-class Explorer of the Seas’ year-round sailings from the Port of Baltimore and Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ, respectively, now offer Northeast vacationers two convenient Royal Caribbean home-ports.
MIAMI, April 22, 2010 – Royal Caribbean International today announced the redeployment of Mariner of the Seas, which will take effect in January 2011. Mariner of the Seas will offer a short South America season before debuting in the Mediterranean as Royal Caribbean’s record-setting 11th ship in the region for summer 2011. Mariner of the Seas will homeport at Rome (Civitavecchia) from March through October 2011, replacing Splendour of the Seas, which will now homeport in Venice, offering 10- and 11-night Greek Isles and Turkey itineraries for the season. Mariner of the Seas will then return to North America for the 2011-12 winter season, offering seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Galveston, Texas, replacing Voyager of the Seas. As a result, Voyager of the Seas will herald Royal Caribbean’s return to New Orleans in winter 2011-12, offering vacationers another Gulf Coast port to embark on a memorable seven-night Western Caribbean cruise.
MIAMI, March 11, 2010 – Royal Caribbean International today announced its roster of 2011-12 Bermuda, Caribbean, and Canada and New England cruises, ranging from five- to 12-night itineraries sailing from three convenient U.S. Northeast cruise ports. In 2011, Enchantment of the Seas will continue year-round service from Baltimore – its second consecutive year; for the fifth consecutive year, Explorer of the Seas will remain the most innovative cruise ship in the New York City metropolitan area, sailing year-round from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J.; and Jewel of the Seas will offer its eighth short season from Boston. Royal Caribbean’s 2011-12 Bermuda, Caribbean and Canada and New England cruises from the Northeast U.S. are open for booking.
Vacationers can take in the breathtaking seasonal color of Canada and New England on 16 Royal Caribbean voyages in fall 2011. Jewel of the Seas will sail a seven-night itinerary, with calls at Portland and Bar Harbor, Me.; St. John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Vacationers also can choose longer, nine-night itinerariesaboard Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas, which include Boston as a port of call.
The Caribbean has always carried a mystique of being a great place to stumble upon hidden treasure. Celebrity Cruises has designed a way to offer guests on an upcoming cruise the opportunity to do just that - by way of their own personal possessions. One of the many ways that Celebrity designs its cruise vacations for discerning travelers is by providing experiences that enrich them. The cruise line is living up to that promise by bringing art historian, TV personality and syndicated newspaper columnist known affectionately to fans and followers as “Dr. Lori” to Celebrity Equinox’s March 29, 2010 itinerary. During the cruise, guests will have the opportunity to have their antiques’ values approximated, at no charge.
Celebrity Life, Celebrity’s onboard programming line-up, exemplifies the cruise line’s focus on discerning travelers who enjoy enriching and inspiring experiences such as Dr. Lori’s engaging presentations. Overall, Celebrity Life offers guests the opportunity to explore their tastes and enhance their knowledge, through three areas of focus: “Savor,” with a culinary and wine emphasis, “Discover,” with an educational/entertainment/language-learning focus, and “Renew,” with a spa/wellness concentration. As another way of creating experiences designed to appeal to the specific tastes and interests of its guests, who have expressed an interest in antiques and insightful, engaging presentations, Celebrity is partnering with Dr. Lori as part of Discover’s “Beyond the Podium” series.
With the launch of its new brand platform, “Designed for you,” last month, Celebrity Cruises reinforced its commitment to delivering the ultimate combination of ship design, service, cuisine and programs for cruise lovers. And today, it announced plans for a new venue whose design, products and programming are sure to appeal to today’s cruisers.
When Celebrity Eclipse – the third in Celebrity Cruises’ stylish Solstice Class fleet of ships – launches in April, guests will find the first “Celebrity iLounge.” Designed to not only offer a hip, modern lounge ambience, Celebrity also created the space to offer what its guests said they wanted most in an Internet café: easy access to the Internet, inspiring classes and new products.
MIAMI (February 17, 2010) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) has signed a memorandum of agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of two 3,600-passenger cruise ships for its Princess Cruises brand. The agreement is subject to execution of a definitive contract, financing and other customary closing conditions.
The new ships – which will have an all-in cost of approximately €155,000 per lower berth – are scheduled to enter service in spring 2013 and spring 2014. At 139,000 tons each, the as-yet-unnamed ships will be the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet.
Additional details will be announced at a later date.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.
Together, these brands operate 95 ships totaling more than 184,000 lower berths with 11 new ships scheduled to be delivered between March 2010 and May 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon.
MIAMI- (February 15, 2010) -- The 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory has resumed Caribbean service from Miami following a multi-million-dollar renovation that added a host of new facilities and features, including a Serenity adults-only retreat, a 270-square-foot Seaside Theatre poolside LED screen, and a Circle “C” facility for 12- to 14- year olds.
Eighteen new balconies were also incorporated onto existing ocean view staterooms and a new Mongolian wok venue was added to the casual poolside restaurant. Bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access was added, as well.
Santa Clarita, CA (December 9, 2009) -- One of the small ships of Princess Cruises, the 710-passenger Royal Princess, will depart the line’s fleet in spring 2011, transferring to sister company P&O Cruises in the U.K.The ship will be renamed Adonia.
As a result, five sailings in April and May will be cancelled, and in place of these a 26-day South Pacific and Andes Explorer cruise will be offered prior to the transfer.
The ship’s 2010 cruise program includes sailings to the Amazon, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii and French Polynesia.
With the transfer of Royal Princess there will be one less Princess ship in Alaska for the 2011 season, though full details are not yet available.During summer 2010, the ship will sail on a 14-day roundtrip “Connoisseur” cruises from Seattle to Alaska.
MIAMI, December 2, 2009 – A longtime favorite port of call for guests sailing on select Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, Royal Caribbean International’s private beach destination of Labadee, Haiti now boasts extensive new infrastructure enhancements and amenities for guests. This multi-year development project will be completed in time to welcome Royal Caribbean’s newest and most innovative cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, on the ship’s December 1, 2009, special voyage.
Refurbishments at the exclusive island destination located on the north coast of Haiti began in the summer of 2007 as a joint venture between the Haitian government and Royal Caribbean International. The primary areas of focus under the development plan included renovations to the island’s pier to allow for the accommodation of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom- and Oasis-class ships, an overhaul of the facilities and dining venues, and a complete revamp of Labadee’s upland areas, including the construction of new bars and the renourishment of area beaches.
To date, all renovations to the pier and dining venues have been completed, establishing a 57 percent growth in dining capacity and introducing a new pier area that stretches 1,300 feet (Pier and Trestle) in length and allows the berth of the 225,282 GRT Oasis of the Seas.
Two areas new to Labadee and central to the redesign of the destination are Dragon’s Plaza and Labadee Town Square, both of which offer convenient meeting places where guests can enjoy the rich Haitian culture and take in shopping, shows, cultural activities and other memorable experiences. Within Dragon’s Plaza, Columbus Cove Beach offers family-friendly attractions including water slides, which complement the area’s aqua park. Labadee Town Square boasts an expanded version of the popular artisan market and a festive atmosphere that comes alive with music, folkloric dancers and more.
Adventure-hungry guests will find a fresh variety of activities and redesigned public areas elsewhere on Labadee, including the new Dragon’s Tail Coaster, offering a high-speed ride through 2,232 feet of the destination’s tropical flora and rock formations. Upland-area favorites like Barefoot Beach Club, dedicated for the use of Royal Caribbean’s suite guests, offers enhanced food and beverage services, and a total of 20 private cabanas are available for rent along the water’s edge and within the hillside areas. The spa facilities at Barefoot Beach have also been revamped to provide an Oasis-like feel, and an expanded area has been set aside for yoga classes and other spa services.
“Oasis will offer a new dimension to our onboard guest experience,” said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “These new major additions to Labadee will further expand offerings for our guests, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the first sailing of Oasis of the Seas than with a special cruise to our already popular private beach destination.”
The new adventures join a list of already popular activities, including the Dragon’s Breath Flightline, which was introduced in 2007 and offers pristine aerial views of Labadee’s coral reefs and crystal blue waters for individuals brave enough to take the ride down the 2,633 foot cable zip-line. Labadee’s Wave Jet Adventure also is still available, offering guided journeys down one of the wildest coasts in the Caribbean via personal SeeDoo watercrafts.
Naturally, with Oasisof the Seas introducing additional calls to Labadee and other ports on the ship’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary, shore excursions and tour capacities at each stop have increased. On Labadee guests can discover and engage with the area’s picturesque landscape no matter what their tolerance for adventure may be with newly-introduced tours including the High Speed Coastal Cruise & Swim excursion and the Discover Haiti Coastal Cruise.
Visits to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Nassau also offer new ways to explore each of the islands, with at least two new excursions available at each port of call. Golf fans can tee up for a 9-hole round at One&Only Golf Course in Nassau, exclusively offered for Royal Caribbean guests and those visiting Atlantis, Paradise Island; adventure seekers can pay a visit to “The Extreme” – a 930 foot cable zip-line suspended 120 feet in the air, and a new addition to St. Maarten; and guests to St. Thomas can now enjoy three new snorkel excursions or sign up for the new St. Thomas Spotlight 5-Star Island Tour – the first island tour in the Caribbean to offer headset commentary for visitors. These tours will be offered exclusively for Oasis of the Seas guests for the first six months of the ship’s operation, after which they will be introduced to all Royal Caribbean guests on ships that call on these ports.
While crossing the North Atlantic Ocean on its way to Port Everglades, Florida, Oasis of the Seas encountered strong winds and high seas. Due to the inclement weather, Oasis of the Seas is now scheduled to arrive at Port Everglades on the morning of November 13, 2009, two days later than originally scheduled. The late arrival will not impact any inaugural events, promotional activities or revenue sailings. You may continue to follow Oasis’ journey on www.OasisoftheSeas.com.
Oasis of the Seas is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, it spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship sails weekly from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.OasisoftheSeas.com.
If you've been dreaming of visiting a cruise line private island watch our video below for information about each of the islands, along with plenty of images and video from our personal visits.
MIAMI (June 23, 2010) – Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston beginning Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the largest cruise ship based at the port year-round. Additionally, the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will reposition from New Orleans to Galveston to operate year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Oct. 6, 2011. 
Enchantment of the Seas sailed into Baltimore harbor today to inaugurate a second year-round Northeast U.S. port for vacationers to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The 2,252-guest, double occupancy, Enchantment of Seas offers a variety of onboard amenities that cater to families, coupled with delectable dining options and compelling itineraries to make for a memorable cruise vacation.
MIAMI, March 11, 2010 – 
MIAMI (February 17, 2010) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) has signed a memorandum of agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of two 3,600-passenger cruise ships for its Princess Cruises brand. The agreement is subject to execution of a definitive contract, financing and other customary closing conditions.