Tag Archives: Bonsai Sushi

Carnival Legend Completes 20 Years in Service

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Carnival Legend photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Twenty years ago, the Carnival Legend arrived in New York City for its debut in the United States.

The first of two cruise ships that entered service for Carnival Cruise Line in 2002, the Spirit-Class vessel docked in a stateside port for the first time on September 22, 2022.

On that day, the Legend concluded a 15-night transatlantic crossing before kicking off its first cruise to Canada and New England.

The 11-night voyage included visits to Boston, Portland, Quebec City, Sydney and Halifax before returning to New York City.

As part of its inaugural program, the Legend offered additional itineraries departing from New York City as well as cruises departing from Philadelphia and Baltimore in October.

The 2,100-guest vessel then arrived in Fort Lauderdale – the homeport for its first winter season in the Caribbean – in November.

Prior to its arrival in the United States, the Legend became the first Carnival ship to offer cruises in Europe.

Soon after being delivered from Kvaerner Masa-Yards in August, the ship sailed two different cruises to Northern Europe and the Baltic.

Continuing Carnival’s Spirit Class, the Legend followed the 2001-built Carnival Spirit and the 2001-built Carnival Pride. A fourth vessel in the series, the Carnival Miracle, entered service in 2004.

Designed with a multi-deck atrium, a glass-enclosed pool deck and a large number of cabins with private balconies, the ship underwent a major refurbishment in 2014.

The multi-million-dollar renovation included the additions of the Green Thunder, one of the steepest and fastest waterslides at sea; the tropics-inspired RedFrog Pub; and a full-service sushi restaurant called Bonsai Sushi.

Currently sailing from Baltimore, the Legend last saw a drydock in 2021. At the time, it received Carnival’s new livery, as well as general maintenance and upkeep.

In addition to the Carnival Legend, the Carnival Conquest also debuted in 2002.

Carnival Cruise Line Reveals First Look at New Celebration

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Carnival Cruise Line is giving guests a first look at its new Carnival Celebration that will debut in Miami this November, revealing details on four of its six zones including Celebration Central.

The atrium will be at the heart of the ship and is known as Celebration Central.

Spanning Decks 6, 7 and 8, Celebration Central is an update to the fabulous starboard side atrium that debuted on Mardi Gras, designed as the heart of the ship’s celebratory spirit with a whole new look and the feeling of a festive party woven throughout, according to a press release. 

The three-deck atrium will feature a ceiling that appears as a burst of a confetti canon made of approximately 1,400 colour-changing lighting fixtures that will transform from day tonight. Functional as it is eye-catching, the space will include 3,000-square-foot floor-to-ceiling windows on the side of the ship that will change into 16 individually controlled, six- by 14-foot LED screens to work hand in hand with the ever-changing entertainment options, including live music, special effects, aerial acrobatic performances, and high-energy shows, according to a press release. 

Introducing nods to Carnival’s Fun Ship history, guests will spot pieces from former Carnival ships that will be repurposed to blend with the ship’s modern decor throughout Celebration Central and beyond.

For example, in the Aquaria Bar, ocean-themed glass murals from the Carnival Victory by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi will be incorporated into a two-deck-high decorative wall behind the bar to create an aquarium-like effect, inspiring the name.

And the Tropicale Bar is named after Carnival’s first ship to sport the line’s iconic funnel.

“From a design perspective, we are incorporating elements from our former ships, paying homage to the history of Carnival, and also showcasing Carnival Celebration as a modern, innovative and forward-looking vessel,” said Ben Clement, senior vice president of new builds, refurbishment and product innovation. “While similar to Mardi Gras with a plethora of options for dining, entertainment and relaxation, Celebration will have her own personality, one that celebrates all things Carnival, intertwining where we have been with where we are going.”

The Celebration Central will also include food and beverage options, such as JavaBlue Café, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, and feel-good entertainment such as Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner Comedy Club.

In addition, the centrepiece of Carnival Celebration’s Ultimate Playground (Decks 18-20 Aft) will be BOLT, The Ultimate Sea Coaster.

The Carnival Celebration’s Summer Landing zone (Deck 8 Aft) will continue to serve as one of the best chill spots at sea with Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, offering smoked-onboard favourites created by Guy Fieri and an assortment of Carnival’s ParchedPig craft beers brewed on-site, in addition to pools and whirlpools, The Watering Hole poolside bar, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge honouring military personnel, according to a press release. 

And the poolside zone, Lido (Decks 16-17 Aft), will feature all of the experiences from the Carnival Mardi Gras including the two-level RedFrog Tiki Bar designed to transport guests to a South Pacific paradise, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant, guest-favourite Guy’s Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina, with offerings perfect for any tastebud, any time.

Carnival increases capacity for short cruises

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Image result for carnival Dream

Carnival Cruise Line will raise the number of cabins devoted to short cruises out of Galveston and New Orleans in 2019.

It will send the 2,974-passenger Carnival Valor to New Orleans and the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream to Galveston, representing capacity increases of 10% and 22%, respectively, for the four- and five-day itineraries there.

In Galveston, the Carnival Dream replaces the Valor and will join the Carnival Freedom and Carnival Vista, which repositions to Galveston in fall 2018.

The Valor will swing to New Orleans to replace the Carnival Triumph, which will be repositioned to a port to be determined.

Four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel. Five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays, calling at Cozumel and Progreso. Some five-day itineraries from Galveston feature Cozumel and Costa Maya.

The Carnival Dream recently underwent a refurbishment that added Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que, the pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the BlueIguana Cantina Mexican restaurant and the full-service Bonsai Sushi restaurant.

Valor last year added Guy’s Burger Joint, the Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub, SkyBox sports bar, an Alchemy Bar and the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.