Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•Pg_50-58__BMT_pg86-162 2/27/13 8:50 AM Page 51 CRUISE NEWS CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES EXPANDS WEST COAST SHORT CRUISE PROGRAM Carnival Imagination to Operate Three – and Four-Day Cruisesfrom Long Beach Beginning in January 2014 Carnival Cruise Lines will expand capacity on the West Coast with the introduction of year-round three and four-day cruises on the 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination from Long Beach, CA, beginning January 26, 2014. The move will bring the total number of Carnival ships operating from Long Beach to three and further solidify the line's position as Southern California's largest cruise operator. Carnival Imagination will offer three-day cruises to Ensenada, Mexico, departing on Thursdays and four-day voyages to Catalina Island and Ensenada departing on Sundays. The vessel's sister ship, Carnival Inspiration, will continue to offer a similar program from Long Beach with three-day cruises departing on Fridays and four-day cruises on Mondays. Additionally, the seven-day Mexican Riviera and 15-day Hawaii programs from Long Beach currently operated by the Carnival Splendor through February 3, 2013 will continue on the Carnival Miracle seasonally from October 2013 through April 2014. Together, these ships will carry approximately 550,000 guests annually from Long Beach – more than any other cruise operator. "Carnival's West Coast cruises are exceptionally convenient and popular, particularly for guests from California and other areas within easy driving range of Long Beach," said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. "These fun, high quality vacation getaways offer an exceptional value compared to land-based options including Las Vegas. Carnival is the only cruise line to offer a year-round short cruise program from the West Coast and, with the addition of the Carnival Imagination, there will be even more cruises and departure dates to choose from," Cahill added. Carnival Imagination has undergone an extensive renovation and includes an expansive WaterWorks aqua park, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and a tropical-themed resort-style main pool area, renovated spa and children's facilities, and more. Carnival Ecstasy to Reposition to Miami Carnival Ecstasy, currently sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., will reposition to Miami to assume Carnival Imagination's current three- and fourday Bahamas/western Caribbean itinerary. A sister ship to Carnival Imagination, the Carnival Ecstasy features a number of balcony staterooms, which is a 'first' for a Carnival ship operating short cruises from Miami. Carnival Ecstasy's first voyage from Miami will depart January 10, 2014. Three-day cruises departing Fridays visit Nassau and four-day cruises departing Mondays visit Key West and Cozumel. Exciting 16-Day Panama Canal Voyage on Carnival Imagination Prior to the start-up of its new West Coast schedule, Carnival Imagination will offer a 16-day Panama Canal cruise departing Miami January 10, 2014, and arriving Long Beach January 26, 2014. In addition to a spectacular full transit of the Panama Canal, ports of call on this voyage include Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Cartagena, Punta Arenas, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Additional Information and Reservations Reservations are currently being accepted for the new scheduled on both the Carnival Imagination and Carnival Ecstasy. For additional information and reservations, planners can contact any travel agent, call (800) CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com. Carnival can also be found on: About Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival is "The World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" with 24 ships operating three- to 18-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda, South America, Panama Canal, Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Norway, the Baltic and the British Isles. The company's 25th ship, an as-yet-unnamed 135,000-ton vessel, is scheduled for delivery in winter 2016. Carnival is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Their exclusive alliance also includes Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, they offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit them at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com. B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 51