For the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines will offer a series of Mediterranean voyages…
For the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines will offer a series of Mediterranean voyages featuring extended visits to some of Europe’s most charming and historic ports of call beginning in summer 2005.
The program will be offered on the new 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty, which will be the newest and largest ship operating in Europe. It 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.
According to Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson, the new seven-port, 12-day Mediterranean cruises are designed to provide consumers with a comprehensive European vacation experience and feature a wide diversity of shoreside experiences, all while enjoying the many “resort-style” amenities and facilities of Carnival’s newest and largest class of “Fun Ship.”
“For our first-ever Mediterranean cruises, we’ve assembled a terrific itinerary with extended port calls that offer guests excellent tour opportunities to experience the rich history and outstanding sites at some of Europe’s most popular destinations, including Capri, Taormina, Monte Carlo and Florence, to name just a few,” Dickinson said. He noted that the 12-day voyages also include a two-day stay in Venice so that guests can explore everything this great city has to offer.
“With its mega-sized features, huge number of balconied staterooms and acres of open deck space, Carnival Liberty is ideally suited to scenic cruising, and we expect our new ‘Fun Ship’ Mediterranean voyages will attract both experienced and first-time Carnival guests,” Dickinson added.
Following the 12-day Mediterranean cruises, Carnival Liberty will operate a 16-day transatlantic voyage departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 24, and arriving in Fort Lauderdale Nov. 9, 2005. Ports of call include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, Spain; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal; and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.
Numerous shore excursion opportunities, as well as pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, will be available in conjunction with all of these departures.
Signature ‘Fun Ship’ Amenities
Currently under construction in Monfalcone, Italy, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty will offer a host of dining, activity and entertainment venues. Its 13 passenger decks will house 22 lounges, bars and nightspots, along with a 14,500-square-foot health and fitness facility, a full gambling casino, duty-free shopping mall, and four swimming pools – one with Carnival’s famous 214-foot-long water slide. A comprehensive golf program offering professional instruction and opportunities to play top golf courses will also be available.
Its many family-friendly amenities, available within the top-rated “Camp Carnival” program, will include a 4,200-square-foot “Children’s World” play area, and an “Action Alley” teen recreation center with a high-tech video arcade, dance club, and a “mocktail” lounge offering non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Of the ship’s 1,487 staterooms, 60 percent will offer an ocean view with 60 percent of those featuring private balconies.
Myriad Dining Options
Carnival Liberty will also offer consumers the widest variety of dining options at sea. In addition to two full-service dining rooms with extensive menus, including new low-carb items, the ship will also house a 1,400-seat casual restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner alternatives, as well as 24-hour pizza and ice cream, a deli, a grille, a rotisserie, an upscale seafood station and Asian and American specialty areas.
Also featured is a reservations-only supper club offering prime aged beef and other gourmet cuisine, along with one of the finest wine lists afloat. A patisserie, sushi bar, and complimentary 24-hour room service are also available. All of these options comprise Carnival’s Total Choice Dining (SM), cruising’s most comprehensive dining program.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
