In the cruise industry Carnival Cruise Lines are the 7-million pound monster. You can hardly go to a port of call in North America and the Caribbean without coming upon at least one Carnival cruise ship. They are everywhere.

The cruise monster has no intention of resting on its considerable laurels. Carnival Cruise Lines will begin sailing to South America in 2009. What this means to you, fair reader, is that you will have another cruising option to places like Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile. That option will inevitably include ... [read more]

Whenever you come across a travel description of cruises to New England and Canada you are almost always going to see the word “charming”. Unlike cruises to the Caribbean it would not be accurate to describe a Canada/New England cruise as a “sun getaway”. It would also not be right to label it “exotic”. Charming, however, fits the bill.

There is a charm to the way the costal towns in New England and eastern Canada go about things. These are places that are rich in history and where people cling to their ... [read more]

If you have spent any time shopping for cruises, and I am willing to bet that you have because you are reading these very words right now, you know that Carnival Cruise Lines offers up some of the cheapest voyages around. Their appeal is that they have quick voyages that are convenient to large swaths of the population in the United States and that these voyages are affordable. If you are looking for glamour, look elsewhere. If you want cheap fun, think Carnival.

You probably also have come across a number ... [read more]

Here is your trivial fact for the week. Saint Maarten is the smallest island in the world to ever be partitioned between two nations. The tiny Caribbean island is just 38 square miles and is split in half between the Dutch and the French (who call it Saint-Martin). The island is home to 71,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated places in the world. It also attracts more than 1 million tourists each year.

The reason that so many people are drawn to so small a place ... [read more]

Dilemma time. You have limited vacation time and even more limited vacation money. You have some time off from work stored up and this summer seems like an ideal time to take it. You could stay at home and watch cartoons on the couch all day or you could go on a fun-filled trip that will include fabulous food, entertainment and weather. Is there really any choice? You’ve seen all the cartoons before anyway. The coyote is never going to catch that darned roadrunner.

Carnival Cruise Lines ... [read more]

Pound-for-pound (I should say kilo-for-kilo) Canada is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in the world. The United States’ neighbor is often overlooked by Americans looking to go on holiday. The perception some have is that once you cross the border you will have to contend with polar bears and Mounties. The Mounties part is true. The polar bear part, not so much.

The very real fact is that Canada is a wonderful place to travel for Americans and for people from other countries. It is a large ... [read more]

Do you ever feel like the weight on the world is on your shoulders? No matter how strong you might be carrying the world’s weight can be a real drag after a while. Before things start getting so heavy that your back, head and appendix start to hurt, you should consider it time to take for a vacation. What better way to lose all responsibilities by allowing a cruise ship to carry your weight for a week?

Carnival is known for their affordable cruises. While they deliver the cheap prices, ... [read more]

Some people love the idea of planning for a wedding. I am not one of those people. I understand that it is a magical day that you will remember for the rest of your life, but somehow I don’t think that 40 years from now you are going to remember what kind of flowers were in the centerpieces on your wedding tables. I’d rather just kick back with friends and family members and not worry about planning out every last detail. I am lazy that way.

Carnival Cruise Lines has ... [read more]

Elation [Noun] – an exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism; an absence of depression. A feeling of joy and pride.

If you were asked to close your eyes and to define the word “elation” chances are that you would have all kinds of images flash before you, but you still might have difficulty putting a definition into words. It is easy to remember times when you have felt elation but it is much more difficult to share what that elation feels like with others.

Travel is often a stimulus that triggers ... [read more]

With a name like Conquest you can probably guess that this Carnival Cruise ship is slightly bigger and more intimidating than a puttering tugboat. The Conquest does indeed live up to its name. Weighing in at a cool 110,000 tons, the ship is one of the many Carnival mega cruise ships that are churning in seas throughout the world. Like its brethren, the Conquest offers affordable fun and can accommodate roughly the population of a small city 2,974 passengers and more than 1,500 crew members. ... [read more]

You don’t need to take mind altering drugs, attend a rave and have random strangers hugging you all night long to experience ecstasy these days. Put away your pacifiers and pack your suntan lotion. Ecstasy awaits you aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Ecstasy.

Part of Caribbean’s “fun cruises” (as opposed to their “not so fun cruises”???), the Ecstasy features 3-, 4- and 5-night cruises through the Gulf of Mexico that depart from Galveston, Texas. The cruises visit tried and true ports like Cozumel, Mexico and Progreso on the Yucatan.

As is often the ... [read more]

Here is a cool vacation idea for you. Fly to San Francisco and spend a couple of days exploring one of the United States’ most unique cities. After you tire of urban life, rent a car preferably a red convertible – and drive down the California coast along Highway 101. You’ll see some spectacular scenery, have the opportunity to feast on some excellent food, and enjoy the sunshine radiating off of the Pacific Ocean.

By the time you reach San Diego you’ll be ready for a change of pace. ... [read more]

If you are looking for a small, intimate cruise through the Mediterranean you probably aren’t the target audience for Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, Carnival Freedom. Billed as a “mega” ship, the Freedom could comfortably fit the population of a small country 2,974 passengers in total. It features 1,487 cabins, a crew of 1,150 and weighs in at a cool 110,000 tons. Small it is not.

The ship makes its maiden voyage in 2007 so you have an opportunity to experience its girth before people start leaving their ... [read more]

Have you ever felt like you were dragging around an extra body on your back? Have you ever woken up in the morning and cursed your alarm clock for forcing you back into the conscious world? Have you ever spent a day sleepwalking through your job wishing you could be anywhere else in the world?

Of course you have. We all go through stretches where life takes us into the back alley and kicks us in the stomach. For some people this can be triggered by the seasons or the ... [read more]

Surrounded by nothing but blue water, the wind whipping through your air, the ship rocking with each wave, the birds hanging above hoping you’ll leave something behind for them to feast on, whales jumping next to you. Some people just like being on the open sea and it is hard to blame them. Getting away from the daily grind is one reason for travel and there is no easier way to escape from your land-based life for a few days than to be on the open sea.

There are a fair number ... [read more]

We’re all going to be hearing quite a bit about Miami, Florida this week as the inevitable hype that surrounds the Super Bowl reaches epic proportions. Sporting event or no sporting event, Miami is a fascinating city that blends a wide variety of cultures to create its own look and its own feel.

Miami also happens to be a fairly popular port of call for cruise ships and it is especially useful when sailing the eastern Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Lines has a winner of a deal on a 7-night cruise aboard ... [read more]

Here’s a fun little cruise that is perfect for families or for couples looking for a quick little getaway. Carnival Cruises offers a 5-night voyage to the Bahamas aboard the Celebration. The ship departs from Jacksonville, Florida. After a day spent at seas picture yourself lounging by the pool, stuffing yourself silly with food, enjoying a few beverages and relaxing the ship spends a day in Key West.

Once a playground for Ernest Hemingway, today Key West is a vibrant community full of artists and fun. ... [read more]

The Pacific Ocean side of Mexico and Baja, California has evolved into a wonderful vacation playground. With endless days of warm sunshine, crystal clear ocean waters, pristine beaches and an infrastructure in place to accommodate visitors from around the world, the Mexican Riviera, as some call it, is an affordable option for those looking to escape for a few days or even a few weeks.

Carnival Cruise Lines traverses the waters around the Mexican Riviera like no one else. They have a ton of different ships and routes to choose from and ... [read more]

Let’s face it. When you picture yourself on a cruise chances are you don’t picture yourself sitting in a room with no windows and with now view of the ocean. Alas, that is what you usually get when you opt for the cheapest cruising option, the Interior cabin. This is not always a bad choice if your cruise takes you to spectacular locales and you don’t plan on spending much time in your cabin, but if you think it is kind of fun sitting in a chair watching the water pass by while you enjoy ... [read more]

Everything about this magnificent Destiny-class SuperLiner is a celebration of the sea. From her towering nine-story Seven Seas atrium to her two-level Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean dining rooms, she dazzles you with her spectacular décor. Share her spirit of adventure on your choice of itineraries. In addition to her Western route, which visits Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, her Eastern itinerary calls on San Juan, St. Croix and St. Thomas. And from late Spring through early Fall 2001, she’ll set sail for a series of once-in-a-lifetime cruise vacations, starting ... [read more]

This Destiny-class SuperLiner truly is a triumph of the shipbuilder’s art. With her spacious staterooms, private balconies, two level dining rooms and spa, and acres of sunny decks, she can take you from Miami to the Caribbean in style. She even gives you a choice of two Caribbeans! Sail west from to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Or sail east to San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Croix. There are tropical wonders sure to thrill you whichever itinerary you choose.

Search for a Carnival Triumph Cruise

Where would you like to take your next vacation? Alaska? Exotic Caribbean? Hawaii? Panama Canal? The Carnival Spirit, our newest “Fun Ship” SuperLiner, can take you to any of these exciting destinations. She’s the first in a revolutionary new class of “Fun Ship”, combining the best of the Fantasy- and Destiny-class ships, and designed so that 80% of her staterooms offer magnificent ocean views. Following various inaugural events on the West Coast, including a one-of-a-kind 3 day sailing from San Francisco, the Carnival Spirit will sail on 7 day Alaska voyages ... [read more]

Come aboard this Fantasy-class SuperLiner for superb food, spectacular entertainment, fun activities and non-stop nightlife. Your adventure starts in Tampa on Sunday, and takes you to exotic Grand Cayman with its fantastic Seven Mile Beach, and Playa del Carmen/Cozumel famed for its modern pleasures and ancient Mayan ruins. You’ll even cruise the Mississippi River and visit New Orleans. What a week! Beaches, duty-free shops, historic landmarks, and a chance to finally hear Dixieland jazz in the French Quarter.

Search for a Carnival Sensation Cruise

This SuperLiner is the world’s first, and only, completely smoke-free cruise ship (even the staff and crew are non-smokers). As such, she offers a totally smoke-free environment to her island-hopping guests. And to give you a choice of smoke-free vacations, the PARADISE, which sails from Miami every Sunday, offers two itineraries. The Western: Playa del Carmen/Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The Eastern: Nassau, San Juan, and St. Thomas/St. John. In Spring 2002, the PARADISE set sail on a series of exciting 10 and 11 day Exotic Caribbean itineraries to ... [read more]

With its unique 4 and 5 day itineraries from Tampa to the Western Caribbean, the “Fun Ship” JUBILEE offers greater vacation flexibility. Since the 4 day cruise leaves on Thursday and returns on Monday, it creates the perfect long weekend. These new cruises fit perfectly into the typical weeklong vacation and also offer you the best of both worlds with our 7 day Cruise & Orlando Vacations. Choose a 4 or 5 day “Fun Ship” cruise and enjoy two or three days to explore the theme parks of Orlando and such ... [read more]

How much fun can you have in less than a week? To find out, use our IMAGINATION. Sail with us on Thursday for a fun-packed long weekend, which takes you from Miami to uninhibited Key West, Florida and Playa del Carmen/Cozumel on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Take the 5 day cruise on Monday and you’re off to Grand Cayman and Calica/Cancun. Sail Saturday and we’ll take you to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. If you’re taking a week’s vacation, these cruises allow you to add another two or three days to visit ... [read more]

The HOLIDAY bid farewell to the West Coast and makes her way to her new home in San Juan, Puerto Rico. June 2, 2001 marks the debut of her incredible new Southern Caribbean itinerary. Imagine visiting six Caribbean destinations in seven unforgettable days! Count them: St. Thomas, Tortola, Dominica, Martinique, Barbados and St. Kitts. Plus, the chance to hop over to St. John and Virgin Gorda. All while you’re pampered with superb meals, fantastic entertainment and individualized attention aboard the most intimate floating resort in the “Fun Ship” fleet. Think of all ... [read more]

This magnificent Fantasy-class floating resort is moving from San Juan to Miami, where she’ll begin offering you two totally different getaways every week, year round. Starting May 2001, her 3 day weekend cruise takes you to The Bahamas, where you’ll have a full 24 hours to play in the sunshine or under the stars of Nassau. The 4 day cruise visits uninhibited Key West, Florida, before sailing to Playa del Carmen/Cozumel, Mexico. Aboard ship, you’ll enjoy every fabulous feature that has made Carnival The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World!”

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The beauty of The Bahamas is almost beyond description. Which is why you must see it for yourself aboard the “Fun Ship” FANTASY. Departing from Port Canaveral, this popular floating resort will glide through aqua waters to visit islands famed for their pristine beaches, renowned dive sites, emerald golf courses, and international duty-free shops. Both cruises give you time to discover Nassau by day and by night. The 4 day cruise also visits Freeport, which offers its own special charms and attractions.

Search for a Carnival Elation Cruise

The name of this Fantasy-class ship is a promise that is always kept. The décor, superb meals, lavish entertainment, large and friendly casino, and the nightlife along the ship-long promenade, Elation’s Way, will certainly elate you. To add to the exhilaration, you’ll sail from Los Angeles and visit the most popular resorts on the Mexican Riviera: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. It’s a week that combines the lifestyle of L.A., the beauty of Mexico and the incomparable fun of Carnival.

Search for a Carnival Elation Cruise

The “Fun Ship” ECSTASY has made her big move from Miami to Los Angeles and she’s taking over one of our most popular itineraries — Baja Mexico! When you need fun and relaxation, spend three or four days aboard the largest ship sailing to Ensenada and Catalina Island. This fantastic floating resort gives you the casino glamour and spectacular shows of Las Vegas and a spa as pampering as any in Palm Springs. So why drive to the desert, when you can spend your days on the blue Pacific, enjoying refreshing pools, ... [read more]

Your 4 or 5 day Mexico vacation begins in Galveston, Texas, just an hour’s drive from Houston. The convenience of leaving from this historic Southwest city makes it easy to get away for a few days to see the very best of the Western Caribbean. Sail from Thursday to Monday for an exciting long weekend and escape to Cozumel where you’ll explore ancient ruins, shop in colorful, open-air markets and snorkel in breathtaking waters. Or start your vacation on Saturday or Monday and we’ll take you to Cozumel and Calica/Cancun where you’ll ... [read more]

She was our very first Destiny-class ship and is one of the largest, most popular ships in the “Fun Ship” fleet. Let this fantastic floating resort take you from San Juan to your choice of two 7 day Southern Caribbean itineraries. Both include St. Thomas/St. John and Aruba, but the “Dutch Treat” route will also take you to St. Lucia and Curacao, while our “European Delight” includes Antigua and Guadeloupe. Just think, four island destinations, plus all the excitement of cosmopolitan San Juan in one 7 day vacation!

Search for a Carnival ... [read more]