Carnival Offers the Med!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Carnival and thought it would be of
interest. This is the announcement of the big Europe splash for
Carnival that has been rumored for quite some time. If you have missed
any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


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.

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.

LOL! Funny how a TA like George gets the same release that I get including
the line;

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

but Ray gets the release that never has anything about contacting anyone
but a TA! (of which he conveniently is one VBG) Shows who is the honest TA
in my book.
Jim


"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message
...
Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Carnival and thought it would be of
interest. This is the announcement of the big Europe splash for
Carnival that has been rumored for quite some time. If you have missed
any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


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.

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.

"Jim" wrote:

LOL! Funny how a TA like George gets the same release that I get including
the line;

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

but Ray gets the release that never has anything about contacting anyone
but a TA! (of which he conveniently is one VBG) Shows who is the honest
TA
in my book.
Jim

I wish that Ray would just send along the unaltered version to this newsgroup,
too. I am a strong supporter of TA's, and for that reason, I might like to
just call a cruiseline directly for a quick question, even though I choose to
book with a California-based TA. If I call the cruise line with my question,
then I am saving the TA some time so that they hopefully can spend less effort
to earn a real commission from someone who is ready (or almost ready) to book,
not just have to answer my quick question.

Also, if Ray would just leave the press releases alone, or if there are two
versions and he would just leave the one with the Cruise Line's phone number
in it, then there would be no complaining responses like we often see here.
Like the one you just posted.