Cruising: Less Than Half the Price!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Carnival and thought it would be of
interest. 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


Cruising: Less Than Half the Price Versus 25 Years Ago

MIAMI, March 14
Despite reports that cruise prices are at their highest level in
several years due to increased demand, a cruise vacation is a much
better bargain than it was 25 years ago.

The current minimum price of a seven-day Carnival Caribbean cruise
from Miami is $599 -- just as it was 25 years ago. But when adjusted
for inflation, a seven-day Carnival cruise that sold for $599 in 1980
would cost $1,373 today.

"Price is not the story -- it's value," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival
president and CEO. "And when comparing today's ultra-modern 'floating
resorts' to cruise ships of 25 years ago, your $599 buys so much
more."

Indeed, where older ships were mostly converted transatlantic ocean
liners with smallish cabins and little in the way of on-board
amenities, today's cruise ships are stocked with features such as an
array of formal and casual dining options, expansive spa and
children's facilities, soaring atriums, and double-width promenades
lined with myriad entertainment venues -- all available at roughly
half what vacationers paid in 1980.

"There's really no comparison between the seagoing vacations of today
and yesterday. Everything -- from dining options and health and
fitness centers to children's facilities and in-cabin amenities -- has
been upgraded dramatically. Factor in today's affordable pricing, and
cruising is the best vacation value, hands down," Dickinson said.

In addition to a greater variety of culinary choices -- from expansive
casual poolside eateries with 24-hour pizzerias and New York-style
delis to intimate upscale supper clubs -- today's mega-liners feature
a seemingly endless array of bars, lounges and nightspots, everything
from sports bars and wine bars to multi-level theaters showcasing
lavish Vegas-style revues.

Staterooms are not only roomier but ships feature more ocean view and
balcony accommodations than ever before. For instance, 80 percent of
the 1,062 staterooms on Carnival's 88,500-ton Spirit-class ships offer
either an ocean view or private verandah.

Even younger cruisers have spaces to call their own, with expansive
children's facilities -- as large as 4,200 square feet on Carnival's
110,000-ton Conquest-class vessels -- stocked with computer labs,
indoor climbing mazes, arts and crafts centers and more.

Internet cafes -- unheard of 25 years ago -- have also been
introduced, enabling guests to access e-mail, surf the Web, and send
video postcards.

And today's health-conscious consumers have access to spacious health
and fitness centers with equipment and pampering treatments rivaling
the best facilities ashore.

Carnival, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL; LSE) (NYSE:
CUK), is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with
20 "Fun Ships" operating voyages of three to 16 days in length to the
Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New
England and Europe.

The line currently has two 110,000-ton SuperLiners -- Carnival Liberty
and Carnival Freedom -- scheduled to enter service between now and
February 2007.

For additional information and reservations on Carnival's "Fun Ship"
cruises, 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.

It brings to mind an old song that we used to sing about the ROTC
during my college days. It goes something like this "ROTC, it smells
like bull**** to me..."

I guess the same thing goes for cruise lines.

John