CARNIVAL LIBERTY to debut with European Cruises!

[eroller]

It seems my first post on this topic was removed from the boards with no explanation. (???) Here is the press release again for those that may have missed it.

Personally I think it's great that Carnival is expanding into other cruising areas. It's time for Carnival to move beyond the Caribbean and Mexico as their primary destinations. Many people are loyal to Carnival, but those that seek out more exotic destinations are forced to look at other cruise lines. Now they can sail Europe and stay with Carnival Cruise Lines, and it might also open up opportunities for those on a limited budget to take a very nice European cruise.

I just don't like the fact they are using a Conquest Class ship. Just a personal preference for a Spirit Class ship, not that anything is wrong with the Conquest Class except the amount of people. Of course Costa does it with great success (using Destiny Class ships), and I'm sure Carnival will as well. It also makes sense as LIBERTY is being built in Italy, so rather then come directly to the US she can include a full European Season. Of course this was also tried with CARNIVAL LEGEND, but there were only a few cruises offered. It's my understanding they were sold out. I have no doubt Carnival will achieve great success with this venture.

I also think the transatlantic cruise sounds wonderful, and notice how the ship will end up in Ft. Lauderdale and not Miami. Could LIBERTY then partake in longer cruises to the Caribbean out of Ft. Lauderdale? Maybe 10 or 11 days? Stay tuned!

Ernie



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NEW CARNIVAL LIBERTY TO OPERATE FIRST-EVER PROGRAM OF 'FUN SHIP' MEDITERRANEAN VOYAGES IN SUMMER 2005


New 12-Day 'Grand Mediterranean' Cruises On The Newest and Largest Ship Operating in Europe


MIAMI (June 14, 2004) - For the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines will offer a series of Mediterranean voyages featuring extended visits to some of Europe's most charming and historic ports of call beginning in summer 2005.

The program will be offered on the new 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty, which will be the newest and largest ship operating in Europe. It will encompass eight 12-day cruises operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) July 20 - Oct. 12, 2005. Featured ports include Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain;
Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy.

According to Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson, the new seven-port, 12-day Mediterranean cruises are designed to provide consumers with a comprehensive European vacation experience and feature a wide diversity of shoreside experiences, all while enjoying the many "resort-style" amenities
and facilities of Carnival's newest and largest class of "Fun Ship."

"For our first-ever Mediterranean cruises, we've assembled a terrific itinerary with extended port calls that offer guests excellent tour opportunities to experience the rich history and outstanding sites at some
of Europe's most popular destinations, including Capri, Taormina, Monte Carlo and Florence, to name just a few," Dickinson said. He noted that the 12-day voyages also include a two-day stay in Venice so that guests can explore everything this great city has to offer.

"With its mega-sized features, huge number of balconied staterooms and acres of open deck space, Carnival Liberty is ideally suited to scenic cruising, and we expect our new 'Fun Ship' Mediterranean voyages will attract both
experienced and first-time Carnival guests," Dickinson added.

Following the 12-day Mediterranean cruises, Carnival Liberty will operate a 16-day transatlantic voyage departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 24, and arriving in Fort Lauderdale Nov. 9, 2005. Ports of call include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, Spain; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal; and St.
Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.

Numerous shore excursion opportunities, as well as pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, will be available in conjunction with all of these departures.


Signature 'Fun Ship' Amenities

Currently under construction in Monfalcone, Italy, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty will offer a host of dining, activity and entertainment venues. Its 13 passenger decks will house 22 lounges, bars
and nightspots, along with a 14,500-square-foot health and fitness facility, a full gambling casino, duty-free shopping mall, and four swimming pools - one with Carnival's famous 214-foot-long water slide. A comprehensive golf program offering professional instruction and opportunities to play top golf courses will also be available.

Its many family-friendly amenities, available within the top-rated "Camp Carnival" program, will include a 4,200-square-foot "Children's World" play area, and an "Action Alley" teen recreation center with a high-tech video arcade, dance club, and a "mocktail" lounge offering non-alcoholic specialty
drinks.

Of the ship's 1,487 staterooms, 60 percent will offer an ocean view with 60 percent of those featuring private balconies.


Myriad Dining Options

Carnival Liberty will also offer consumers the widest variety of dining options at sea. In addition to two full-service dining rooms with extensive menus, including new low-carb items, the ship will also house a 1,400-seat casual restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner alternatives, as well as 24-hour pizza and ice cream, a deli, a grille, a rotisserie, an upscale seafood station and Asian and American specialty areas.

Also featured is a reservations-only supper club offering prime aged beef and other gourmet cuisine, along with one of the finest wine lists afloat. A patisserie, sushi bar, and complimentary 24-hour room service are also available. All of these options comprise Carnival's Total Choice Dining (SM), cruising's most comprehensive dining program.


Pricing and Reservations

Carnival will begin accepting reservations effective June 22 for the Carnival Liberty's 12-day European cruises and 16-day transatlantic voyage. Prices for the 12-day cruises begin at $1,499 per person, based on double occupancy; the 16-day transatlantic voyage starts at $1,099 per
person.

Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom and optional round-trip air transportation from a variety of North American gateways are also available.

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the world's most popular cruise line with 20 "Fun Ships" operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada and New England from homeports throughout North America.

For additional information, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit carnival.com.

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Carnival Cruise Lines 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, Windstar 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.