Tag Archives: Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line’s new Excel-class ship, Carnival Celebration, has arrived in Southampton

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The arrival marks the first new Carnival ship in the UK for 20 years

To welcome the ship, Carnival hosted local officials, travel partners and members of the media for a day of guided tours and lunch.

Earlier this week, the line took delivery of Celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

“I can’t tell you how exciting this day has been, finally giving our UK travel partners the opportunity to see our new Excel-class ship,” said Carnival president Christine Duffy.

“Carnival Celebration is the ultimate 50th birthday gift and is a key part of a very unique and exciting period of growth for us.”


The celebration has since departed on a 14-day transatlantic sailing to Miami where the line will host its naming ceremony with godmother, US model and actress Cassidy Gifford.

Including Celebration, Carnival is adding five new ships to its fleet over the next two years in a period of growth “unlike any other” in the line’s 50-year history.

Today, the second ship in Australia will be added as Carnival Luminosa begins guest operations in Brisbane, and next year, the third Excel-class ship Carnival Jubilee will debut from Galveston.

Carnival Cruise Line Raises Food Prices, Makes More F&B Changes

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Carnival Cruise’s iconic Whale Fluke Photo Credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Citing inflation, higher fuel prices and supply chain challenges, in an effort to cut down on food waste, Carnival Cruise Line is making a number of food and beverage adjustments.

In a letter sent to booked guests, Carnival cited food supply chain challenges that have been further complicated by global politics and a “myriad of laws regarding how we should source products and how crops and animals are farmed and handled.”

Carnival said it had reached a point with its food costs where it must take a modest but specific action.

Changes:

  • Steakhouse prices increased to $48 per person from $42.
  • Prices are speciality dining restaurants on select ships will increase, with Carnival citing rising food costs.
  • In the main dining room, the free lobster will continue to be offered on cruises lasting six days or more but will be moved to the second elegant evening.
  • Free 24/7 ice cream is being trimmed back to set hours.
  • Guests ordering the third entrée in the main dining room will see an additional $5 charge.

The company noted that for sailings departing through Dec. 31, speciality dining reservations paid in advance will be charged the current price, but reservations made onboard will be subject to new prices.

Carnival Cruise Line is set to embark on its “largest-ever” period of growth in its 50-year history.

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Following the launch of Carnival Luminosa earlier this year, the brand will add five more ships to its fleet over the next two years, the next being the delivery of two Excel-class vessels, Carnival Celebration to Miami and Carnival Jubilee to Texas.


As part of the expansion plan, Carnival will also introduce a new concept – “Carnival Fun Italian Style” – with two additional ships from sister brand Costa Cruises, starting with Carnival Venezia next spring, sailing year-round from New York, and Carnival Firenze in 2024 out of from Long Beach.

“Carnival Luminosa is a testament to our ongoing commitment to Australia, and the start of a period of growth unlike any other in Carnival’s 50-year history,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“Having a Brisbane-based ship has been a goal of ours for quite some time, so we are so happy that they are the first market globally to experience the big, bright, fun that this ship has to offer and so excited to give our guests more Carnival ships and itinerary options to sail over the next two years.”

Luminosa – which arrived at its homeport of Brisbane on Monday (31 October) – will sail on its first cruise on 6 November and operate 28 sailings through 13 April 2023, visiting 60 ports across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.

The sailings will support Carnival Australia’s anticipated $165 million contribution to the Queensland economy this year.