While it is quite easy to make the mistake of spelling Carnival Cruise with an “a” instead of an “i” (“Carnaval”) there’s no mistaking the popularity of America’s #1 fun cruise line. Also called “Carnival Cruises,” “Carnival Cruise Line” and just plain “Carnival,” Carnival Cruise Lines currently holds the title as the “World’s Most Popular Cruise Line” and it has received numerous awards as well as high rankings throughout its 36-year history.
The National Association of Cruise-Oriented Agencies (NACOA) named Carnival Cruise Lines “Cruise Line of the Year” for three years in a row, it earned “best value” honors for six years in a row by the World Cruise & Ocean Liner Society, and Carnival received the “Gold Excellence Award” by American Express Travel Service.
Carnival Cruise Lines has also received nine platinum awards including: Best Family Oriented Line, Best Bang for the Buck, Best Singles Line, Best Entertainment, Best Children’s Program, Best On-board Activities, Best Disco, Best Casino and Best Tropical Drink in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s “1999 Annual Readers’ Choice Awards,” topping more categories than any other cruise line.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet — the appropriately named “Fun Ship Fleet,” features 23 ships that sail to roughly a dozen destinations with dozens of ports of call on the menu. Carnival Cruise Lines Fun Ship Fleet includes: Carnival Conquest, Destiny, Ecstasy, Elation, Fantasy, Fascination, Freedom, Glory, Imagination, Inspiration, Legend, Liberty, Miracle, Paradise, Pride, Sensation, Spirit, Splendor, Triumph, Valor, Carnival Celebration, and Victory. Carnival Splendor made her debut in Europe in July 2008.
Carnival Fun Ships sail to Alaska (Glacier, Northbound Alaska, Southbound Alaska), Bahamas, Canada/New England, the Caribbean (Eastern, Southern, and Western), Europe, Hawaii, Mexico (Baja Mexico, Mexican Riviera), Panama Canal, South America, and special voyages to Bermuda, and Transatlantic sailings.
Carnival Cruise Lines guests can choose cruise itineraries ranging from two to 10 days or more. Shore excursions run the gamut from swimming with the dolphins and snorkeling to jeep tours, motor coach journey’s, rain forest exploration, and more. Below is a sample (from the Carnival Cruise Lines website) of one of Carnival’s most popular Jamaican excursions – the “Dunns River Falls Jeep Safari” (5.5 hours).
On this fun-filled excursion guests will:
·Drive up through the famous Fern Gully for a glimpse of over 200 different species of ferns.
·Get a spectacular view of the mountains and valleys of Jamaica from the highest viewpoint at Murphy Hill (2,000 feet above sea level).
·Travel through small villages and pass old historical churches, colorful local markets and statues of historical figures.
·Drive through a coffee plantation to learn about the process of making coffee.
·Stop at the world famous Dunns River Falls to climb the 600- foot waterfall or just enjoy the scenery.
While Carnival Cruise Lines travels to exciting destinations and it offers some of the most adventurous excursions around, Carnival Cruise Lines on-board experience is fun and exciting as well. On board, you can gamble at casinos, take golf lessons, swim, go dancing, attend a live show, shop, or spend the day at Carnival Cruise Lines Spa Carnival. Spa Carnival features a health club with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a jogging track, and aerobics classes. It also features a steam room and sauna, full-body massage services, facials, loofah treatments, manicures, pedicures, and hairstyling. All Carnival Cruise Lines Casinos feature slot machines, black jack, poker, roulette, and more.
For more information about Carnival Cruise Lines or to book a cruise visit the official website www.carnival.com. You can also book a cruise through just about any booking search engine such as Expedia.com or Orbitz.com, or you can contact your local cruise travel agent.