Carnival Cruises

Today, a number of excellent cruise lines exist, one being Carnival Cruises.  This particular cruise line has a long history of excellence, known for providing passengers with excitement, as well as relaxation.  Because of the varied programs, onboard activities, and onshore excursions, Carnival Cruise Line has something to offer passengers of all ages, making this a great family vacation or couple getaway.

For starters, Carnival has been providing amazing cruise opportunities for the past 28 years and is still going strong.  Through hard work and dedication, Carnival has become the largest cruise line in the world, as well as the most successful.  Of course, when the company was first formed, things were much different.  At that time, operations were small although dreams remained large.  Initially, a transatlantic ocean liner was converted to become the first “cruise ship” to set sail for Carnival, a dream come true for the founder Ted Arison.

Of course, the cruise ships that are now a part of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet are state-of-the-art, beautifully designed, and built for both comfort and safety.  The first ship was called the TSS Mardi Gras and while a lot of excitement surrounded this maiden voyage, unfortunately the ship ran aground on a sandbar just outside of Miami.  Just three years later in 1975, another ship was purchased, this time the Empress of Britain, which would set sail under the name of “TSS Carnivale”.  However, the largest and fastest ship to join the fleet was the Festivale, which was originally called the S.A. Vaal.  After $30 in restoration, the ship offered passengers cruises from Miami to the Caribbean.

From that time until 1987, three additional ships would be added to the fleet to include the Tropicale, which was actually the first real cruise ship built, the Holiday, Jubilee, and Celebration.  However, in 1985 the executives of Carnival were given a huge advantage over other companies wishing to start a cruise business in that they advertised on network television. In fact, the host was none other than Kathy Lee Johnson who would eventually become Kathy Gifford.

Shortly after, Carnival Cruise Line earned the distinct reputation as being the “Most Popular Cruise Line in the World”, which meant that business was booming.  In fact, business had become so great that demand required the fleet and operations to be expanded.  To accommodate the finances needed of $400 million, Carnival started to be traded on Wall Street.  To raise the capital needed to build even more and better cruise ships, from 1990 to 2004 multiple ships joined forces with Carnival.  Those new ships included the following:

Fantasy Class

•    Fantasy – This 70,367 ton ship was actually the first vessel in the “Fantasy Class”, which would also become a namesake.  The ship provided travel to the Bahamas on three and four-day cruises, all departing from Miami.  In all, eight ships would be built and added to this particular Carnival class of cruise ships.  Other ships in the “Fantasy class” include:

o    Ecstasy – The initial sail date was 1991
o    Sensation – This super liner launched in 1993
o    Fascination – The ship debuted in 1994
o    Imagination – Service began for the Imagination in 1995
o    Inspiration – Another super liner that set sail in 1996
o    Elation – This Carnival ship started service from the West Coast instead of Miami
o    Paradise – The eighth ship in the “Fantasy class”, it was introduced as the first and only cruise ship in the world to be 100% smoke free throughout

Destiny Class

•    Destiny – With a weight of more than 100,000 tons, this Carnival cruise ship was launched as the largest of its kind in the world.  Other ships in the “Destiny class” are listed below:

o    Triumph – The ship debuted in 1999
o    Victory – Carnival introduced this cruise ship in 2000

Spirit Class

•    Spirit – Introduced as the world’s first “fun ship”, the Spirit set sail in 2001 with destinations to Hawaiian and Alaskan markets.  Other Carnival ships in this class include:

o    Pride – Designed to provide only seven-day cruises with its first launch in 2002
o    Legend – This ship offered service starting in 2002

Conquest Class

•    Conquest – Although considered similar to ships in Carnival’s “Destiny class”, the Conquest introduced a larger and longer version in 2002 with this 110,000 ton ship.  Additional “Conquest class” ships are as follows:

o    Glory – Passengers started enjoying this ship in 2003
o    Miracle – This Carnival cruise ship made its debut in the spring of 2004
o    Valor – After setting sail in the summer of 2004, Valor became the 22nd ship to become a part of Carnival’s “fun ship” fleet

In addition to the 22 ships that are still in operation today, Carnival Cruise Line is a member of the largest cruise lines in the world.  In addition, Carnival is proud of its alliances with other top cruise lines such as Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn Cruise Line.  Just as excitement filled the air the day the Mardi Gras launched, Carnival continues to provide a wealth of opportunity on each of its 22 ships.  This means enjoying a variety of destinations, outstanding service, unrivaled shows, entertainment, and programs.