Carnival Mardi Gras to Feature Roller Coaster at Sea

Posted on 14 December, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Cruise Line today announced that the Mardi Gras will have the first roller coaster at sea when the ship debuts in 2020 out of Port Canaveral.

Built by Germany-based Maurer Rides, BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster is a “heart-pounding rush of adrenaline offering nearly 800 feet of exhilarating twists, turns and drops with riders reaching speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour,” the company said.

It is an all-electric roller coaster that allows two riders in a motorcycle-like vehicle to race along a track 187 feet above sea level.

“Mardi Gras will be our most innovative ship ever with some truly special features and attractions, highlighted by BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “BOLT will continue the tradition of Carnival providing exciting new ways for our guests to ‘Choose Fun.’ We are so thrilled to introduce this one-of-a-kind, game-changing, exhilarating attraction – our guests are going to love it!”

Mardi Gras

The ride will begin with a launch sequence and race car-like levels of acceleration, Carnival said. The experience culminates with a high-powered hairpin turn around the 5,200-guest ship’s funnel.

Riders’ speeds are posted after the race, and guests will have their photo taken during the ride. Guests will be able to choose their own speed.

Carnival starts construction on its largest ship

Posted on 20 November, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Cruise Line on Thursday unveiled what the exterior of its first XL ship will look like.

At a steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, Carnival revealed a navy-blue hull with vibrant red and white accents running the length of the ship.

The 5,200-passenger ship, due to be delivered in 2020, will be Carnival’s largest at 180,000 gross tons. Carnival said it would reveal the ship’s name in December.

When it enters service in 2020, the ship will sail from Port Canaveral, Fla.

Carnival says the ship “will offer a variety of never-before-seen innovations.” It will be the first cruise ship based in North America to run on liquefied natural gas, Carnival said.

A second XL ship will start construction in 2020 and be delivered in 2022.

Carnival Cruise Line to Offer Sailings to Cuba from New York, Virginia

Posted on 15 November, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Classic Pink convertible driving past a cruise ship in Havana, Cuba. (photo via WoodysPhotos / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)

Carnival Cruise Line announced the inaugural schedule Tuesday for the transformed Carnival Radiance, including the company’s first sailings to Cuba from New York and Norfolk, Virginia.

In addition, Carnival revealed the upgraded ship will also sail nine- to 13-day European voyages, four- to nine-day sailings to the Caribbean, voyages to Canada/New England from New York and a winter season of adventures to the Caribbean and Cuba from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Once the Carnival Radiance debuts following it’s $200 million transformations in 2020, it will sail several Mediterranean itineraries before a trans-Atlantic crossing and finally a homeporting in New York City.

As for the Cuba sailings, Carnival will offer nine-day itineraries from New York that include a full-day and overnight stay in Havana and two Bahamian ports of call. As for the cruises to Cuba from Virginia, the week-long Cuba sailing will feature an extended stop in the capital of Havana along with visits to two tropical Bahamian ports.

In November 2020, the Carnival Radiance will reposition to Port Canaveral and operate a winter schedule of six- to eight-day voyages to the Caribbean and Cuba, including six-day voyages featuring a day-long visit and overnight call in Havana and two Bahamian ports.

The cruise line also revealed details of Carnival Sunrise’s 2020 schedule, including an expanded series of New York to Cuba cruises, as well as four- to nine-day voyages to the Caribbean from New York and Norfolk.