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CARNIVAL TO INCREASE CAPACITY IN GALVESTON 38 PERCENT WITH DEPLOYMENT OF ECSTASY IN FALL 2004; PARADISE TO ASSUME ECSTASY'S THREE- AND FOUR-DAY WEST COAST CRUISE PROGRAM
MIAMI (12/12/03) - Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise
operator, will increase capacity by 38 percent from Galveston when the
2,052-passenger "Fun Ship" Ecstasy replaces the 1,486-passenger Celebration
on year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises in October 2004. The
Celebration will be deployed to another homeport.
In turn, the 2,052-passenger Paradise will assume the Ecstasy's
popular three- and four-day Baja cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning
in September 2004, becoming the newest cruise ship ever to operate short
cruises from the West Coast.
"Just three years ago Carnival established Galveston as cruising's newest
homeport. The addition of the Ecstasy next year, combined with the
Elation's year-round cruises from Galveston, will result in an estimated
300,000 'Fun Ship' passengers cruising annually from that port," said Bob
Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "Carnival is Texas' leading cruise
line and this latest capacity increase just further solidifies that
position."
He added, "We are also very enthused to introduce the Paradise to the West
Coast market on three and four-day Baja cruises. This is a truly elegant,
beautifully appointed vessel offering a wide variety of on-board facilities
and features, along with stunning interiors that pay homage to the world's
most famous ocean liners. The Paradise certainly represents an enticing
option for consumers seeking an affordable, quality cruise vacation option
from the West Coast."
Dickinson indicated that the Paradise, which has operated since its
introduction in 1998 as a smoke-free vessel, will no longer retain that
designation. "When we analyzed our redeployment strategy, the Paradise,
based on its size and attributes, was the obvious choice to offer a fresh
new short cruise alternative from California. And, with only one ship
operating that program, we could not limit it to non-smokers," he said.
Four- and Five-Day Mexico Cruises from Galveston on Ecstasy
Beginning Oct. 23, 2004, the 70,000-ton SuperLiner Ecstasy will
launch year-round four- and five-day service from Galveston, becoming the
only year-round ship to operate short cruises from that port.
On this route, four-day cruises depart the historic Port of Galveston on
Thursdays and call at Cozumel, offering the ideal long weekend getaway.
Five-day cruises, departing Mondays and Saturdays, are particularly
noteworthy as they offer guests the opportunity to visit two of the
Caribbean's most popular destinations, Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen,
in less than a week's time.
Guests can also combine their cruise with a pre- or post-cruise land
stay during which they can visit Galveston's many historic sites and
museums, or shop and dine along the Strand, the city's renowned
entertainment district.
Three- and Four-Day Baja Cruises on Paradise
Beginning Sept. 20, 2004, the 70,000-ton Paradise will begin
year-round three- and four-day cruises from Long Beach, becoming the newest
ship to ever operate short cruises from the West Coast.
On this route, three-day cruises depart Long Beach on Fridays and
call at Ensenada, Mexico, while four-day cruises depart Mondays and call at
both Ensenada and Catalina Island.
Special 15-Day Panama Canal Cruises
Prior to the start-up of their new programs, the Paradise and
Ecstasy will each operate special one-time 15-day Panama Canal repositioning
cruises.
On Sept. 5, the Paradise will depart Miami, arriving in Long Beach
on Sept. 20, 2004. Featured ports will include Aruba, prior to the Panama
Canal transit, along with Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Acapulco, Mazatlan and
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This will be the last cruise the Paradise will offer
as a non-smoking vessel.
On its 15-day Panama Canal cruise, the Ecstasy will depart Long
Beach on Sept. 17 and arrive in Miami Oct. 2, 2004. Ports of call on this
voyage will include Acapulco and Puntarenas, prior to the Panama Canal
transit, as well as Aruba, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. After arriving in Miami,
the Ecstasy will undergo a 20-day drydock then launch year-round service
from Galveston Oct. 23, 2004.
Post Edited (12-12-03 22:37)
MIAMI (12/12/03) - Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise
operator, will increase capacity by 38 percent from Galveston when the
2,052-passenger "Fun Ship" Ecstasy replaces the 1,486-passenger Celebration
on year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises in October 2004. The
Celebration will be deployed to another homeport.
In turn, the 2,052-passenger Paradise will assume the Ecstasy's
popular three- and four-day Baja cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning
in September 2004, becoming the newest cruise ship ever to operate short
cruises from the West Coast.
"Just three years ago Carnival established Galveston as cruising's newest
homeport. The addition of the Ecstasy next year, combined with the
Elation's year-round cruises from Galveston, will result in an estimated
300,000 'Fun Ship' passengers cruising annually from that port," said Bob
Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "Carnival is Texas' leading cruise
line and this latest capacity increase just further solidifies that
position."
He added, "We are also very enthused to introduce the Paradise to the West
Coast market on three and four-day Baja cruises. This is a truly elegant,
beautifully appointed vessel offering a wide variety of on-board facilities
and features, along with stunning interiors that pay homage to the world's
most famous ocean liners. The Paradise certainly represents an enticing
option for consumers seeking an affordable, quality cruise vacation option
from the West Coast."
Dickinson indicated that the Paradise, which has operated since its
introduction in 1998 as a smoke-free vessel, will no longer retain that
designation. "When we analyzed our redeployment strategy, the Paradise,
based on its size and attributes, was the obvious choice to offer a fresh
new short cruise alternative from California. And, with only one ship
operating that program, we could not limit it to non-smokers," he said.
Four- and Five-Day Mexico Cruises from Galveston on Ecstasy
Beginning Oct. 23, 2004, the 70,000-ton SuperLiner Ecstasy will
launch year-round four- and five-day service from Galveston, becoming the
only year-round ship to operate short cruises from that port.
On this route, four-day cruises depart the historic Port of Galveston on
Thursdays and call at Cozumel, offering the ideal long weekend getaway.
Five-day cruises, departing Mondays and Saturdays, are particularly
noteworthy as they offer guests the opportunity to visit two of the
Caribbean's most popular destinations, Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen,
in less than a week's time.
Guests can also combine their cruise with a pre- or post-cruise land
stay during which they can visit Galveston's many historic sites and
museums, or shop and dine along the Strand, the city's renowned
entertainment district.
Three- and Four-Day Baja Cruises on Paradise
Beginning Sept. 20, 2004, the 70,000-ton Paradise will begin
year-round three- and four-day cruises from Long Beach, becoming the newest
ship to ever operate short cruises from the West Coast.
On this route, three-day cruises depart Long Beach on Fridays and
call at Ensenada, Mexico, while four-day cruises depart Mondays and call at
both Ensenada and Catalina Island.
Special 15-Day Panama Canal Cruises
Prior to the start-up of their new programs, the Paradise and
Ecstasy will each operate special one-time 15-day Panama Canal repositioning
cruises.
On Sept. 5, the Paradise will depart Miami, arriving in Long Beach
on Sept. 20, 2004. Featured ports will include Aruba, prior to the Panama
Canal transit, along with Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Acapulco, Mazatlan and
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This will be the last cruise the Paradise will offer
as a non-smoking vessel.
On its 15-day Panama Canal cruise, the Ecstasy will depart Long
Beach on Sept. 17 and arrive in Miami Oct. 2, 2004. Ports of call on this
voyage will include Acapulco and Puntarenas, prior to the Panama Canal
transit, as well as Aruba, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. After arriving in Miami,
the Ecstasy will undergo a 20-day drydock then launch year-round service
from Galveston Oct. 23, 2004.
Post Edited (12-12-03 22:37)
