Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise line in the world. They have big ships that offer all sorts of entertainment. But their Las Vegas style setting remains a trademark in the cruising industry. Carnival cruises are simple outstanding which gives its guests the ultimate cruising experience.

Carnival Cruises started off as a small time cruise company in 1972. It used to cater to short trips with inexpensive fair. But today, Carnival Cruise Lines has evolved into a giant in the cruising industry with different classes of ship ranging from the fantasy class ships which mostly catered to short trips to the Conquest-class ships which are huge vessels for longer destinations.

The largest and the latest ship in the Carnival fleet is the Carnival Splendor which was launched in 2008. Carnival’s super liners, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic are in the pipeline, which is to debut in October 2009 and June 2011 respectively.

The reason behind Carnivals massive success is their constant strives towards innovation and enhancement to its cruise fleet. They are currently spending over $250 million in revamping its eight fantasy-class vessels. They are including water parks, twisty water slides, improvements in spa facilities, tranquil environments for adults, kid’s club, installation of flat screen TVs in cabins, mini-golf, and new carpets and furnishing throughout the ships.

Carnival Cruise lines call their ships “The Fun Ships” because of the excellent onboard experience that they offer to their guests. With the recently revamped “Total Choice Dining”, passengers have more flexibility in choosing their dining time. They can either choose the tradition main dining or a late sitting or can eat anytime between 5.30 and 9.30 pm.

Carnival cruises are also looking to include specialty eateries such as Asian-themed restaurants, New York-style deli, 24-hours fresh pizzas and sushi bars. Some of these eateries are already included in their Conquest and Splendor Class Ships.

Carnival cruises have a vast itinerary. Although their main source of income remains the Caribbean but the cruise line has ventured into new regions in the recent past. Carnival Freedom visited international destinations like Greece and Turkey in 2007. And the domestic destinations now include Alaska, Hawaii, Barbados and San Juan.

Carnival Cruise lines parent company Carnival Corporation is the industry’s biggest cruise line company which has many cruise brands under its names such as Costa Cruises, Cunard Cruise, Holland America Line and Seaborne. But their major merger took place in 2003 when the company acquired P & O Princess which made Carnival the largest cruise line in the world.