Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty was floated out of its outfitting dock at the Fincantieri shipyard…
Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty was floated out of its outfitting dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, earlier this week.
The initial stages of a cruise ship’s construction take place in a drydock facility. Once exterior outfitting is completed, the drydock is filled with water and the ship is “floated out” and moved to a wetdock facility where construction continues.
Following this significant milestone in Carnival Liberty’s construction, interior outfitting has begun in preparation for the line’s first-ever Mediterranean cruises beginning July 20, 2005. The 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty will be the largest ship in the contemporary market sailing in Europe.
“Carnival Liberty promises to be a spectacular addition to our fleet,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. ”To showcase our newest ‘Fun Ship,’ we’ve created an inaugural schedule that includes port calls at historic and charming European cities, an unforgettable transatlantic crossing and visits to tropical destinations throughout the Caribbean.”
Carnival Liberty’s Mediterranean cruises will run through October 2005, after which the vessel will sail on a 16-day transatlantic crossing then launch year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning in November 2005.
12-Day Mediterranean Cruises, 16-Day Transatlantic Crossing
Carnival Liberty’s Mediterranean program will encompass eight 12-day cruises operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) July 20 – Oct. 12, 2005. Featured ports include Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy.
Following the 12-day Mediterranean cruises, Carnival Liberty will operate a 16-day transatlantic voyage departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 24, and arriving at Fort Lauderdale Nov. 9, 2005. Ports of call include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Malaga, Spain; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal; and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.
Six- and Eight-Day Caribbean Cruises from Fort Lauderdale
The transatlantic voyage will position Carnival Liberty for an innovative schedule of year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale beginning Nov. 12, 2005. This marks the first time that Carnival has deployed a ship from Fort Lauderdale year-round.
On this route, six-day cruises will depart Sundays and visit three ports: George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Freeport, Bahamas; eight-day voyages will depart Saturdays and alternate to the eastern and “exotic” western Caribbean.
Eight-day eastern Caribbean voyages will feature five ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; Antigua, Lesser Antilles; Tortola/Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.; and Nassau, Bahamas. “Exotic” western Caribbean cruises will include Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; and Cozumel, Mexico.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
