Tag: CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival Jubilee Debuting Unique Experiences for Kids and Families…

MIAMI, Dec. 18, 2023 – Carnival Cruise Line’s new flagship, Carnival Jubilee, will usher in a roster of new and reimagined experiences into the fleet for kids, tweens, teens and their families. The new programming will inspire journeys through the world of Dr. Seuss as well as experiences that celebrate cultures across the globe and give a glimpse at venturing into outer space.

            “Kids and multigenerational families sailing on Carnival Jubilee are set to enjoy a new level of fun with all new experiences tailored to every age group. We’re welcoming new characters, creating new spaces, and telling new stories so everyone in the family can make the most of their cruise vacation,” said Melissa Mahaffey, Carnival’s director of youth and family experience.

Expanding the Space Cruisers Program

Through a partnership with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a dazzling, high-tech space wall inside Camp Ocean will allow young cruisers to imagine they’re at the helm of their own spacecraft. This richly themed addition to Carnival’s Space Cruisers program, with a LED screen designed to look like the dashboard of a space capsule, will add stunning NASA space imagery to promote STEM and heighten hands-on learning experiences.

Inspiring Creativity with Immersive Experiences

Kids will find plenty of fun all over the new ship. In the Currents zone, which utilizes LED technology to create “portholes” that produce a virtual aquarium, kids (and kids at heart) can add their own whimsy to their environment by designing a unique sea creature and watching it magically come to life on the screens that flank the walls and ceiling.

Creating More Opportunities to ‘See the World’

See The World, a highly rated program for teens already providing enriching fun across the fleet, will be expanded on Carnival Jubilee. The Panagbenga Festival, developed collaboratively with several of Carnival’s onboard team members from the Philippines to ensure its authenticity, will be brought to life. With a flower parade and cultural jewelry-making activity, teens in Club O2 & Circle “C,” can discover new, culturally rich experiences.

Keeping the Fun Going with ‘Night Owls Camp Out’

 A new themed program for kids, Night Owls Camp Out, will keep the fun going into the evening hours under the care of Carnival’s experienced youth team. Outdoor camp themed challenges like cornhole and horseshoes, as well as fort building, obstacle courses through the “forest,” and singing songs around a “campfire,” will be part of the Night Owls programming, along with competitions, crafts, dance parties and giveaways.

‘Fox in Socks’ to Join Seuss at Sea as New Breakfast, Parade and Story Time Debut Soon

The family-favorite Dr. Seuss Breakfast will become a birthday party led by Thing 1 and Thing 2 beginning Jan. 6, 2024. The new take on the breakfast will celebrate individuality and uniqueness in true Seussian style, complete with brand new menu items, activities, music, and more. After launching on Carnival Jubilee, the breakfast will be implemented into Seuss at Sea programming across the fleet.

Then, beginning Feb 17, 2024, the popular Seuss-a-palooza Parade is welcoming a new character ‘Fox in Socks’ to join in the fun. During the Parade, inside the ship’s two-deck Currents zone, a series of colorful and whimsical scenes will come to life on the LED screens along the walls and ceiling of the area. The imagery will create an immersive underwater world inspired by Dr. Seuss.

Furthering the fun, Seuss-a-palooza Story Time will now feature the very popular Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs & Ham, hosted by the ship’s Cruise Director This interactive and immersive story time event, where scenes from the book come to life, will engage the whole family like never before.

Extra Enhancements Coming Soon to the Ultimate Playground and Camp Ocean

Planet Play at Sea, a space-themed toddler playground, will be added to the ship as well after its initial launch. This new toddler area of the ship’s Ultimate Playground zone is modeled off of Planet Play, a fully-immersive, multiple story play experience located at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and will provide a special play place that inspires imagination and space exploration for the youngest cruisers.

Soon in the new year, enhanced facial recognition technology will also be deployed to the ship’s youth area for junior cruisers. Introduced on sister ship Mardi Gras, facial recognition technology is an important part of the check-in and check-out process at Camp Ocean on Carnival’s Excel-class ships. The technology uses facial recognition to authenticate a match between the child and adults authorized on behalf of the family. A match is required for any child to be let in or out of the area.

The new programming developed for Carnival Jubilee complements a wide variety of experiences already popular on other Carnival ships – from well-known favorites like Build-A-Bear Workshop and Zumbini family experiences, to the thrilling all-electric roller coaster BOLT: The Ultimate SeaCoaster, as well as a miniature golf course, a suspended ropes course, an expansive sports court, plus the WaterWorks aquapark with three exciting waterslides.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE NAMES NEW GRAND BAHAMA PORT DESTINATION “CELEBRATION KEY”

As Carnival gets ready to open itineraries in late September for cruises that will call on its highly-anticipated exclusive cruise port destination on Grand Bahama, it revealed the name – Celebration Key – to guests, employees, travel advisors and Bahamian officials today. Celebration Key is the first port destination exclusively for Carnival Cruise Line guests and its name is based on the vision for the destination to be a celebration of all that Carnival and The Bahamas has to offer for a memorable vacation. Once complete, it will be capable of welcoming two million guests each year.

“We are working very closely with the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority to ensure that we are highlighting the best of Grand Bahama and its culture, combined with fun like only Carnival can provide,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “Invoking the natural beauty of Grand Bahama, every day at Celebration Key will be a celebration of our guests’ own making with a variety of experiences and something for everyone.”

Grand Bahama is a northern island of The Bahamas and is known its breathtaking beaches, lush vegetation, and friendly people. Celebration Key will offer a uniquely Bahamian experience with an abundance of features and amenities, including a   one-mile stretch of white-sand beach, as well as Bahamian-operated retail, food and beverage options for Carnival guests to enjoy. For the ultimate convenience and maximum enjoyment time, the adjacent cruise pier will be able to accommodate up to two of Carnival’s Excel Class Ships simultaneously to allow guests to walk off the ship and arrive at Celebration Key. A groundbreaking ceremony for the destination was held in May 2022 and design, engineering and construction work is now underway.

In late September, Carnival plans to announce further details of the destination, along with opening for sale the first itineraries on at least ten ships from multiple homeports that will include a visit to Celebration Key, with the first cruises calling on the destination in July 2025.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES CARNIVAL CELEBRATION’S SENIOR OFFICERS

Experienced Team to Lead Next New Excel-Class Ship Arriving in Miami This Fall

As its newest ship is just three months away from joining the fleet, Carnival Cruise Line today named the senior leadership team of Carnival Celebration, set to arrive to Carnival’s hometown homeport, PortMiami, this November. Capt. Vincenzo Alcaras, Chief Engineer Fabien Gervaise and Hotel Director Pierre Camilleri will lead more than 1,700 crew members on the new ship.

Carnival Celebration is currently under construction at Meyer Turku in Finland, and its new leadership team is there getting acquainted with the new ship as construction is completed.

“We’re proud to assemble this team of talented and knowledgeable maritime professionals to lead a dedicated crew on our next innovative Excel-class ship, Carnival Celebration. We can’t wait to welcome guests to vacation with all this ship has to offer, and this team will ensure a great onboard experience for our guests,” said Carnival President Christine Duffy.

Get to Know Carnival Celebration’s Senior Officers

Capt. Vincenzo Alcaras: When Carnival Celebration completes its first week in service from Miami, Capt. Vincenzo Alcaras will also mark his 26th anniversary with Carnival Cruise Line. Starting in 1996, Capt. Alcaras, who is originally from Italy, worked on Carnival’s first Celebration iteration, the M.S. Celebration, as a second officer. He was promoted to first officer while on board M.S. Celebration and was then promoted to Safety Officer two years later. He first became captain in Sept. 2006 on Carnival Miracle. He’s worked on several ships throughout the fleet and he has been part of the inaugural team for newbuilds, overseeing the delivery of Carnival Breeze and Carnival Celebration’s Excel-class sister Mardi Gras.

“I have a strong connection with Carnival Celebration, like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep,” said Alcaras. “There’s nothing like standing at the edge of the ocean, seeing its vastness on the horizon, and doing so will be all the more special for me from this ship as it holds a special piece of my own personal history with Carnival Cruise Line.”

Five Facts about Capt. Vincenzo Alcaras

Favorite place on board: Wheelhouse

Favorite food on board: My recipe at Cucina Del Capitano

Favorite Playlist Show: Celestial Strings

Most memorable moment with Carnival: When I was appointed captain on Carnival Miracle in 2006.

Favorite things to do when not on board: I love to spend time with my family as much I can, read books and watch soccer.

Chief Engineer Fabien Gervaise: For more than 22 years, Fabien Gervaise has worked on many ships across the Carnival fleet, including several recent newbuilds. Born in France, he moved with his family to Italy when he was a child and went on to start with Carnival in April 2000 as a third engineer on Carnival Paradise. He was promoted within his first two years to second engineer and in the early 2000s, he also served as an onboard environmental officer. He became chief engineer in December of 2013 on Carnival Breeze.

Five Facts about Fabien Gervaise

Favorite place on board: The front of ship’s open deck

Favorite food on board: Bonsai Sushi

Favorite Playlist Show: Celestial Strings

Most memorable moment with Carnival: Alaska cruise with Carnival Legend among the fjords.

Favorite things to do when not on board: I’m a licensed amateur radio operator and I enjoy talking with friends all over the world and building electronic devices for communications. I also love fishing.

Hotel Director Pierre Camilleri: Now in his 18th year with Carnival, Camilleri joined the company in 2004 as hotel director after managing a variety of hotel and resort properties in his native Malta, as well as Europe and Asia. He has served as hotel director on several Carnival ships and has been part of the inaugural teams for Carnival Breeze, Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Mardi Gras.

Five Facts about Pierre Camilleri

Favorite place on board: It will be The Gateway on Carnival Celebration

Favorite food on board: Big Chicken

Favorite Playlist Show: We Are One

Most memorable moment with Carnival: The day we sailed with guests on Mardi Gras during summer 2021 after the long pause.

Favorite things to do when not on board: Spending quality time with my three lovely daughters, Jessica, Julia and Ella based in England, Malta and Hungary.

Debuting from the redesigned Terminal F at PortMiami, Carnival Celebration will join sister Mardi Gras as the second Carnival ship in the fleet powered by a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion system, part of Carnival Corporation’s pioneering green cruising platform. Carnival Celebration will offer year-round, seven-day Caribbean sailings beginning with its inaugural cruise from Miami on Nov. 21.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE BREAKS GROUND ON NEW CRUISE PORT DESTINATION ON GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND

THE BAHAMAS, May 12, 2022 – With a strong showing of validation of the cruise industry’s return and optimism, and reflecting a long-standing partnership between Carnival Cruise Line and The Bahamas, Carnival, in cooperation with the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Government of The Bahamas, today held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new cruise port destination on Grand Bahama Island.  

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy; Bahamas Prime Minister The Honourable Philip Davis; Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister The Honourable I. Chester Cooper; Minister for Grand Bahama The Honourable Ginger Moxey; and The Grand Bahama Port Authority Acting Chairman Sarah St. George; along with Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald and representatives from Carnival Corporation and the local community used ceremonial shovels to officially mark the beginning of construction.

“With the start of this Carnival project, Grand Bahama is now on the better side of reaching its true economic potential,” said The Honourable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas. “This investment will provide much needed jobs but will also signal new hope for the island’s recovery.”

The new Carnival Grand Bahama cruise port destination, expected to open in late 2024, is being developed on the south side of the island and will continue to serve as a gateway to Grand Bahama while also offering guests a uniquely Bahamian experience with many exciting features and amenities, along with business opportunities for the residents of Grand Bahama.

“As we celebrate our 50-year partnership with The Bahamas, today’s groundbreaking on our incredible new Grand Bahama destination represents an opportunity to collaborate with the government and people of Grand Bahama – to contribute to the local economy through job and business opportunities, meaningfully engage with local communities, and further expand our experience offerings for our guests who will have a breathtaking new port of call to enjoy,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy.  “Our sincere thanks to the government of The Bahamas and The Grand Bahama Port Authority for their continued support as we begin construction.  Our guests already love The Bahamas, and we are certain this new project will give them even more reason to want to visit.”

The Grand Bahama Port Authority Acting Chairman Sarah St. George commented: “The new Carnival cruise port destination will have a monumental impact on our island’s economy, including a panoply of new business opportunities, a huge surge in tourist visitors, as well as increased activities for established businesses.  It is transformational in the true sense of the word.  We are immensely grateful to Carnival for choosing Freeport and Grand Bahama for this flagship project.  Today, we mark this incredible achievement made possible by the efforts of Carnival with The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Port Group Limited, the Grand Bahama Development Company and Freeport Harbour Company, and the Government of The Bahamas. A project of this magnitude is only possible through genuine collaboration. Grand Bahamians have withstood life-changing challenges, particularly in recent years. Despite these, Carnival never wavered in their commitment to building their next cruise port in Freeport.  We are very proud to have played our part to the best of our ability towards making this a reality.”

The cruise port development includes a pier able to accommodate up to two Excel-class ships simultaneously welcoming guests to a stunning white-sand beach The Bahamas are known for. Guests will be able to explore and enjoy Grand Bahama by way of sea, via a dedicated shore excursion dock, or by land, via the dedicated ground transportation hub.  The cruise port itself will also feature an area designated as a nature reserve and an interior pool feature, along with many Bahamian-operated retail, food and beverage options for guests to enjoy.

“The Carnival groundbreaking is very significant to the residents of Grand Bahama. This development signals opportunities for creatives, vendors, and small and medium sized businesses, and represents our commitment to collaboration with local and international partners for the betterment of our island,” said The Honourable Ginger M. Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama.

The cruise pier will allow Grand Bahama to welcome guests from Carnival’s larger ships, such as the 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras, which debuted in 2021 as the line’s largest and most innovative ship and North America’s first cruise ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Carnival Celebration, sister ship to Mardi Gras, which will begin sailing from Miami later this year.

Added Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment and Aviation The Honourable I. Chester Cooper: “The cruise port is an integral part of our plan to restore Grand Bahama to economic viability. Carnival will play a critical role in stimulating our economy and shining a light on Grand Bahama as a rejuvenated and premier destination in our country and the region. We believe the excitement of what is happening on Grand Bahama will be contagious.”

Today’s event was an important next step as construction gets underway.  Additional details on the design, features and the name of the cruise port destination will be revealed over the coming months as Carnival finalizes its plans to maximize the fun for their guests and the opportunities to partner with local businesses and other stakeholders.