Carnival cancels cruise from Galveston, modifies others

Posted on 5 November, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Cruise Line canceled the scheduled Oct. 31 departure of the Carnival Liberty from Galveston because of a persistent propulsion problem with the ship.

It also has modified the itineraries of the following two cruises departing Nov. 5 and Nov. 10.

The Nov. 5 five-day cruise will include a full-day call in Cozumel, but the call in Progreso will be canceled. The Nov. 10 four-day cruise will include a call in Progreso instead of Cozumel.

Guests sailing on these voyages will receive a $50-per-person credit to their shipboard accounts and a 25% discount on a future Carnival cruise.

Carnival said the ship “is experiencing a technical issue which is affecting the ship’s maximum cruising speed.” Outside experts have been brought in to assist with repairs.

Those experts, with the ship’s technical team, found a problem that previously hadn’t been known with an alternator in a diesel generator, “which cannot be readily fixed,” Carnival said in a statement.

Carnival then decided to cancel the Oct. 31 cruise. Guests, who had already arrived for the cruise, got a full refund, a 100% credit toward a future cruise and a $90-per-person reimbursement representing a previously promised onboard credit and stipend for meals in Galveston.

Carnival gets OK to expand Long Beach Cruise Terminal

Posted on 18 October, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

The Long Beach Cruise Terminal and the Queen Mary Hotel. Photo Credit: TrekandShoot/Shutterstock

Carnival Cruise Line has inked a deal to nearly triple the size of its terminal in Long Beach, Calif., from approximately 66,000 square feet to 142,000 square feet.

The deal between the cruise line and landlord Urban Commons and the City of Long Beach will enable larger ships to use the port.

Carnival has operated the Long Beach Cruise Terminal since 2003, using an area of the Geodesic Dome. The agreement gives Carnival 100% use of the Dome, not only allowing for larger ships but also providing the space required for both arriving and disembarking guests to access the terminal.

Carnival president Christine Duffy said the expansion will make Long Beach one of Carnival’s largest homeports.

Construction is slated to be completed in late 2017. During the construction period, measures will be taken to “ensure a continued smooth operational flow and high standard of customer service for cruise guests,” Carnival said.

Earlier this year, the city selected Urban Commons, a real estate company, to assume the lease of the nearby Queen Mary, the former ocean liner now serving as a floating hotel. Urban Commons plans to renovate the Queen Mary’s guestrooms and restaurants over the next year and redevelop 45 shoreside acres into an entertainment district. Its plans call for a hotel, restaurants, shops, a marina, an amphitheater and a Ferris wheel.

Carnival said it is working with Urban Commons on enhancements to the area surrounding the dome and the Queen Mary, as well as ways to increase parking.

The Carnival Inspiration and the Carnival Imagination currently operate three- and four-day Baja cruises year-round from Long Beach. The Carnival Miracle sails seven-day voyages to the Mexican Riviera and 14- and 15-day cruises to Hawaii and Alaska from Long Beach.

Carnival Named Most Trusted Cruise Line for 2nd Straight Year

Posted on 14 October, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Cruise Line was voted the Most Trusted Cruise Line in America for the second straight year by Reader’s Digest.

More than 5,000 Americans were asked to rate products that they trust in 40 different categories. Areas included value, quality, and reliability in the poll. Carnival received the most voted out of all of the cruise lines and will be featured in the October issue of Reader’s Digest.

Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement about the award: “Vacations are more important than ever and as America’s Cruise Line we consider it an honor that our guests entrust us with their well-deserved vacations year after year.

Being named America’s Most Trusted Cruise Line by the readers of Reader’s Digest for two years running is a testament to our focus on providing our guests with unforgettable vacations as well as the incredible effort put forth by our team members, both on board and ashore.”

Carnival added their leading 25th cruise ship this spring with the addition of the their newest and largest cruise ship to date, Carnival Vista. The ship brought many new features to the cruise industry including the first IMAX at sea, the SkyRide aerial attraction, and a huge water park highlighted by the 455 foot long Kaleid-o-Slide.

Image result for Kaleid-o-Slide

Carnival has also expanded upon its exclusive partnerships with Food Network star Guy Fieri with plans to roll out the new Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse on several ships. Guys’ Burger Joint remains one of the most popular eateries on board Carnival Fun Ships. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, serving as the Official Seagoing Headquarters for The Cat in the Hat’s presidential campaign, is part of the fleetwide Seuss at Sea program.

Carnival is also a major supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising more than $10 million for the hospital since launching its Care to Play: Carnival for St. Jude Kids program in 2010. As part of its Honor. Family. Fun. program honoring Operation Homefront, an organization that assists military families, Carnival will be hosting an exclusive shipboard concert for military families by seven-time Grammy Award-winning country music superstar Carrie Underwood aboard the new Carnival Vista when it makes its U.S. arrival in November.

The Carnival Journeys enrichment series, longer cruises with activities that aren’t offered on regular sailings, is also expanding with more than 20 voyages visiting spectacular ports throughout Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and other destinations.