I just got this from Carnival... I think it is interesting how they are
going to be expanding the itineraries they offer.
NEW 113,300-TON CARNIVAL SPLENDOR TO OPERATE LINE'S FIRST-EVER SOUTH
AMERICA VOYAGES BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2009
14- to 18-Day Departures Feature Extended Calls to Brazil, Argentina,
Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru
MIAMI (July 2, 2007) - For the first time, Carnival Cruise
Lines will operate voyages to South America with 14- to 18-day
departures featuring extended visits to magnificent destinations in
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru aboard the new
113,300-ton Carnival Splendor beginning in January 2009.
Representing a new class of "Fun Ship," the 3,006-passenger
SuperLiner will offer a host of innovations including a luxurious
21,000-square-foot health club and the line's first spa staterooms and
suites.
Carnival Splendor will operate three special South America
departures in 2009 -- a 17-day, six-port cruise from Fort Lauderdale,
Fla., to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jan. 31-Feb. 17; a 14-day, six-port
voyage from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile, Feb. 17-March
3, and an 18-day, six-port South America/Mexican Riviera cruise from
Santiago (Valparaiso) to San Francisco March 3-21.
"South America is truly one of the world's most beautiful
cruising regions, with magnificent architecture, diverse cultures and
cuisine, and a wide variety of unique shore excursion options," said Bob
Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "Combining the opportunity to
visit these fantastic destinations while sailing aboard the elegant and
luxurious Carnival Splendor makes our South American voyages a truly
unforgettable and sought-after vacation experience," he added.
Dickinson noted that uniqueness of these South American cruises,
combined with the amenities of an innovative brand new Carnival "Fun
Ship," is expected to appeal to both experienced and first-time
cruisers.
First-Ever South America Voyages
Carnival Splendor will become the first Carnival "Fun Ship"
to operate a South American itinerary when it embarks on a 17-day,
six-port cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires Jan. 31-Feb. 17,
2009. The voyage, which will sail across two hemispheres with the
crossing of the equator, will feature visits to the tropical islands of
Dominica and Barbados as well as day-long calls at four spectacular
Brazilian ports -- Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, each
of which offers a rich history with architecture dating back to mid-16th
century, along with gorgeous beaches, outstanding restaurants and shops,
and unique cultural experiences.
Following this voyage, Carnival Splendor will sail on a
14-day, six-port "Cape Horn/Strait of Magellan" cruise from Buenos Aires
to Santiago (Valparaiso) Feb. 17 - March 3, 2009. The voyage begins
with an overnight call in Buenos Aires, Argentina's cosmopolitan
capital, then visits the charming cities of Montevideo, Uruguay; and
Puerto Madryn, Argentina, followed by scenic cruising of historic Cape
Horn - South America's southernmost point. The voyage continues with a
visit to Ushuaia, Argentina, a charming fishing village in the territory
of Tierra del Fuego, home to unique sub-Antarctic forests; another day
of scenic cruising of Cape Horn/Beagle Island, and a call at Punta
Arenas, Chile, which lies at the entrance to the Straits of Magellan and
is considered the gateway to Antarctica. Highlighting this voyage is a
day-long cruise of Chile's majestic fjords and a visit to Puerto Montt,
Chile, founded by German colonists in 1853 and boasting sparkling lakes
and lush mountainous landscape.
Carnival Splendor will then operate an 18-day "Andes, Peru
and Mexican Riviera" cruise from Santiago (Valparaiso) to San Francisco
March 3-21, 2009. Prior to crossing the equator, Carnival Splendor
will visit Arica, Chile, nestled in the Andes Mountains and founded in
1570, with exquisite collections of pre-Columbian artifacts; Lima
(Callao), Peru, whose historic city center was declared a Word Heritage
Site by UNESCO; Manta (Quito), Ecuador, also a UNESCO World Heritage
Site founded in 1534 and featuring the Monastery and Church of San
Francisco, one of the oldest religious structures in the New World. The
voyage concludes with visits to the popular destinations of Acapulco and
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Long Beach, Calif., before arriving in San
Francisco.
One-of-a-Kind 'Fun Ship'
The first in a new series, as well as the largest Carnival
Cruise Lines ship ever constructed, Carnival Splendor will introduce an
innovative new design and a host of guest-driven features that will
usher in an exciting new era in "Fun Ship" vacations, highlighted by a
luxurious 21,000-square-foot spa. Adjacent to the elegant and modern
facility will be 68 spa staterooms and suites, which will be accessible
by a private elevator and offer exclusive privileges and amenities for
guests. Also featured within the spa will be the line's first
Thalassotherapy Pool covered by a glass dome, as well as an elaborate
Thermal Suite, with four rooms offering varying degrees of warmth and
coolness.
Other features include a 5,500-square-foot children's play
area - the largest in the "Fun Ship" fleet - as well as a water spray
park and a mid-ship pool covered by a sliding Sky Dome. The line's
signature amenities such as cell phone and Wi-Fi service, a
reservations-only supper club and the Carnival Seaside Theatre - a
massive LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming -
will also be featured.
Other Exciting Itineraries
Prior to its new South America program, Carnival Splendor
will launch the line's first-ever Northern Europe cruise program from
London (Dover) July 13, 2008, followed by a series of voyages to the
Mediterranean and Greek Isles through October 17, 2008.
Carnival Splendor will then sail on a transatlantic voyage
from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Fort Lauderdale, positioning the vessel for
a series of seven-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning
November 22, 2008. The ship will then sail on the three South America
voyages, then reposition to Long Beach to launch year-round seven-day
Mexican Riviera cruises beginning March 29, 2009, continuing the line's
expansion of its West Coast operations.
Pricing and Reservations
Carnival will begin accepting reservations for Carnival
Splendor's new 14-, 17- and 18-day South America cruises beginning
Tuesday, July 10. Prices for the 14-day cruise start at $1,399, the
17-day voyage $1,199, and the 18-day sailing $1,099 per person, based on
double occupancy. Special rates for third and fourth guests
sailing in the same stateroom, along with round-trip air supplements
from a number of North American gateways are also available.
For additional information and reservations, contact any
travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
###
Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:
CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of the exclusive World's Leading
Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America
Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of
Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to
quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles
and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations
to the world's most desirable destinations.
--
George Leppla http://www.CruiseMaster.com
October 14, 2007 MOAGC 3 - http://www.moagc-3.com
January 20, 2008 - GGC2008 - http://cruisemaster.com/adventure.htm
June 5, 2008 9 nt from NJ - http://www.cruisemaster.com/explorer.htm
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