 |
TO BOOK OR ENQUIRE CALL
0870 458 5128
|
|
|
 |
|
Carnival Cruise Line
Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines got its start in 1972 with one ship, the Mardi gras, formerly the Empress of Canada. From there Carnival began developing the “Fun Ship” concept, offering a shipboard experience so vibrant that it appealed to people of all ages and backgrounds.
In 1975, the company purchased the Empress of Britain which entered service as the Carnivale. That was followed by the S.A. Vaal, which after a $30 million refurbishment, entered service in 1978 as the Festivale. That same year, Carnival announced the construction of a brand new cruise ship, the Tropicale, which joined the fleet in 1982. Two years later marked the start of the company’s network television campaign which widely introduced Carnival Cruise Lines to the general public. Three new Super Liners followed -- the Holiday in 1985, the Jubilee in 1986, and the Celebration in 1987. They propelled Carnival to its current position as the largest cruise line in the world, carrying more passengers than any other.
The first in a series of 2,040-passenger mega-liners, the Fantasy, debuted in 1990. The Ecstasy followed in 1991, the Sensation in 1993, the Fascination in 1994, the Imagination in 1995 and the Inspiration in 1996. Currently, these comprise the most successful series of cruise ships ever introduced in the history of modern-day cruising. In November of 1996, Carnival introduced the 2,642-passenger MS Carnival Destiny, which at 101,353 tons, is the largest passenger vessel ever constructed. In 1998, the company is scheduled to launch two 2,040-passenger vessels, the MS Elation in March and MS Paradise, the world’s first smoke-free cruise ship, in November, followed by a sister ship to the Carnival Destiny, the Carnival Triumph, in 1999. A third “Destiny-class” ship, the Carnival Victory, will enter service in 2000.
Carnival is expected to introduce four new ships over the next two-and-a-half years, bringing the total number of vessels in the fleet to 15. (The Mardi Gras, Carnivale and Festivale have since been retired from the fleet.)
Internationally, Carnival is represented by general sales agents around the world offering the "Fun Ship" experience to guests of many nations. Although, Carnival offers exclusively all of its entertainment and services in English, much information is provided onboard in a variety of languages. The onboard staff is multi-national and many group programs provide customized entertainment, menus and information in the group's own language.
Carnival currently operates sailings ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc., went public in 1987 and is currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The parent company was renamed Carnival Corporation in 1994 to better distinguish between it and the Carnival Cruise Lines operating brand. Carnival purchased Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises in 1989, both of which continue to operate as separate brands and are based in Seattle.
The Ships:
Carnival Conquest |
Carnival Destiny |
Carnival Glory |
Carnival Legend
Carnival Miracle |
Carnival Pride |
Carnival Spirit |
Carnival Triumph
Carnival Victory |
Celebration |
Ecstasy |
Elation |
Fantasy |
Fascination
Holiday |
Imagination |
Inspiration |
Jubilee |
Paradise |
Sensation
|
|
|
