Carnival Cruise Lines is a British-American owned cruise line based in Doral, Florida, a suburb of Miami in the United States. Originally an independent company founded in 1972 by Mr. Ted Arizon, the company is now one of ten cruise ship brands owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & plc. The company has the largest fleet in the group, with 24 vessels currently in operation that account for 21.1% of the worldwide market share. Executive control of the company is provided by the North American division of Carnival Corporation, headquartered in Doral, Florida.
Carnival was a pioneer in the concept of shorter, less expensive cruises. Its ships are known for their Las Vegas-style decor and entertainment. The line calls its ships The Fun Ships, and there are a wide range of activities offered on board. Its trademark is the funnel, which is red, white and blue and shaped like a whale's tail. The mascot for Carnival is "Fun Ship Freddy", a character in the shape of Carnival's distinctive funnel.
In 1996 the Carnival Destiny of 101,000 Gross Tonnage became the largest passenger ship in the world at the time. In 2004, Carnival Corporation ordered for a development program for Carnival's new ships, which was called the Pinnacle Project, which calls for a 200,000-GT prototype, which would have been the world's largest cruise ship.
As of 2009, the latest and largest ship in the Carnival fleet was the Carnival Dream, a new 128,251 GT ship. The Carnival Dream entered service on 21 September 2009. After several voyages in the Mediterranean she was set to offer weekly Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral from 5 December 2009. A sister ship, the Carnival Magic, debuted on 1 May 2011. On 1 December 2009 it was announced that Carnival placed an order for a third Dream-class vessel. It entered service in June 2012 and is homeported in Miami. On May 10, 2010, Carnival selected a name for their new Dream-class vessel in 2012; the Carnival Breeze.
On 26 October 2012, it was announced that Carnival had ordered a brand new ship for their Carnival Cruise Lines brand. This ship will be built by Fincantieri, Monfalcone, in Trieste, Italy and will be the largest ship they have ever built. It will also be the first of a brand new class of ship with a passenger capacity of 4000 and a displacement of 135,000 tons. It is scheduled to be delivered in the Winter of 2016, nearly four years after the Carnival Breeze entered service.

Current ships

Fantasy class

Ship	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Fantasy	1990	1990–Present	70,367 GT	Charleston, South Carolina	Panama	originally, the Fantasy
Carnival Ecstasy	1991	1991–Present	70,526 GT	Port Canaveral, Florida until January 2014 Miami, Florida starting January 2014 replacing the Carnival Imagination[10]	Panama	originally, the Ecstasy
Carnival Sensation	1993	1993–Present	70,538 GT	Port Canaveral, Florida	Bahamas	originally, the Sensation
Carnival Fascination	1994	1994–Present	70,538 GT	Jacksonville, Florida (JAXPORT)	Bahamas	originally, the Fascination
Carnival Imagination	1995	1995–Present	70,367 GT	Miami, Florida until January 2014 Long Beach, California starting end of January 2014[10]	Bahamas	originally, the Imagination
Carnival Inspiration	1996	1996–Present	70,367 GT	Long Beach, California	Bahamas	originally, the Inspiration
Carnival Elation	1998	1998–Present	70,390 GT	New Orleans, Louisiana	Panama	originally, the Elation
Carnival Paradise	1998	1998–Present	70,390 GT	Tampa, Florida	Panama	originally, the Paradise

Destiny class

Ship	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Sunshine	1996	1996- Present	102,853 GT	(Europe) starting in April 2013 to October 2013 '[11] New Orleans starting November 2013	Bahamas	World's largest passenger ship (measured by gross tonnage), when built. First cruise ship over 100,000 GT. Originally sailed as the Carnival Destiny from 1996 to 2013

Triumph class

Ship	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Triumph	1999	1999-Present	101,509 GT	Galveston, Texas	Bahamas	Similar to Carnival Destiny, but with an additional deck. On February 14, 2013 the ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama for repairs after an engine room fire and is scheduled to resume service on June 13, 2013, almost 4 months after being out of service.[12]
Carnival Victory	2000	2000–Present	101,509 GT	Miami, Florida	Panama	Identical to the Carnival Triumph.

Spirit class

Ship	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Spirit	2001	2001–Present	85,920 GT	Sydney, Australia	Malta	Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Pride	2001	2002–Present	85,920 GT	Baltimore, Maryland	Panama	Built to Panamax form factor, former flagship of Carnival
Carnival Legend	2002	2002–Present	85,942 GT	Tampa, Florida Dover, England & Venice, Italy & Barcelona, Spain from April 22, 2013 - October 31, 2013 to Norway/Western Europe, the British Isles and the Baltics as well as the Mediterranean.	Panama	Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Miracle	2004	2004–Present	85,942 GT	Long Beach, California and San Diego, California during the winter months (Mexican Riviera and Hawaii itinerary starting in 2013.[13] Seattle, Washington during the summer months (Alaska and Hawaii itinerary) starting in 2013.[13]	Panama	Built to Panamax form factor

Conquest class

Ship	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Conquest	2002	2002–Present	110,239 GT	New Orleans, Louisiana until November 2013 Miami, Florida being replaced by the Carnival Destiny/Sunshine after her maiden European season[14] November 2013-onward	Panama
Carnival Glory	2003	2003–Present	110,239 GT	Miami, Florida during the winter months (~October–April). Norfolk, Virginia May 14–31, 2013 and October 13–25,2013. Boston, Massachusetts June 4, 2013 - July 21, 2013. New York, New York July 29, 2013 - October 5, 2013	Panama
Carnival Valor	2004	2004–Present	110,239 GT	San Juan, Puerto Rico	Panama
Carnival Liberty	2005	2005–Present	110,320 GT	Miami, Florida	Panama
Carnival Freedom	2007	2007–Present	110,320 GT	Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), Florida	Panama

Concordia class

Ship	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Splendor	2008	2008–Present	113,323 GT	New York, New York (Year-round).[13]	Panama	Referred to as a Concordia-class ship, but is essentially a modified version of the Destiny-class ships.

Dream class

Ship	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Dream	2009	2009–Present	128,251 GT	Port Canaveral, Florida	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until the Carnival Magic
Carnival Magic	2011	2011–Present	128,251 GT	Galveston, Texas	Panama	Ther largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until the Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze	2012	2012–Present	128,251 GT	Miami, Florida	Panama	Currently the largest ship built for Carnival Cruise Lines

Future Ships

On October 26 2012, it was announced that Carnival had ordered a brand new ship for their Carnival Cruise Lines brand. This ship will be built by Fincantieri and will be the largest ship they have ever built. It will also be the first of a brand new class of ship with a passenger capacity of 4000 and a displacement of 135,000 tons. It is scheduled to be delivered in the Winter of 2016, nearly four years after the Carnival Breeze entered service.

Ship	Year Built	Gross Tonnage	Homeport	Planned Flag	Notes
TBA	Winter 2016	135,000 GT	TBA	Panama	Largest ship to be built for Carnival.[15]

Former ships

Ship	Class	Year Built	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Notes	Image
Mardi Gras	Former Ocean Liner	1961	1972–1993	27,284 GT	Panama	Also known as Empress of Canada, Olympic, Star of Texas, Lucky Star, Apollo, and Apollon. Sold for scrap in 2003.
Carnivale	Former Ocean Liner	1956	1975–1994	31,500 GT	Panama	Also known as Empress of Britain, Queen Anna Maria, Fiesta Marina, Olympic, and The Topaz. Sold for scrap in 2008.
Festivale	Former Ocean Liner	1962	1977–1996	32,697 GT	Panama	Also known as Transvaal Castle, S.A. Vaal, Island Breeze, and Big Red Boat III. Scrapped in 2003.
Tropicale	Tropicale	1982	1982–2001	36,674 GT	Liberia	Was Carnival's first purpose-built ship. Also known as Costa Tropicale, and Pacific Star. Now known as the Ocean Dream in May 2008.
Jubilee	Holiday class	1986	1986–2004	47,262 GT	Liberia	in 2004 became the Pacific Sun of P&O Cruises Australia.
Celebration	Holiday class	1987	1987–2008	47,262 GT	Madeira,  Portugal	Now sails for Iberocruceros as the Grand Celebration
Holiday	Holiday class	1985	1985–2009	46,051 GT	Madeira,  Portugal	Now sails for Iberocruceros as the Grand Holiday

Material Courtesy: Wikipedia.org

 

 

Rise of the Phoenix

Carnival Corporation & plc is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world. Our portfolio of leading cruise brands includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in North America; P&O Cruises (UK), and Cunard in the United Kingdom; AIDA Cruises in Germany; Costa Cruises in Southern Europe; Iberocruceros in Spain; and P&O Cruises (Australia) in Australia.

These brands, which comprise the most recognized cruise brands in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, offer a wide range of holiday and vacation products to a customer base that is broadly varied in terms of cultures, languages and leisure-time preferences. We also own a tour company that complements our cruise operations: Holland America Princess Alaska Tours in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Combined, our vacation companies attract 10 million guests annually. 


But,like any other successful company in the world, Carnival too has had its own share of woes. Some of them are.........................








In mid-February, an engine room fire onboard the Carnival Cruises ship Triumph left more than 4,000 passengers stranded in the Gulf of Mexico, with no hot water and few working toilets.
A month later, just as the incident was fading from the public eye, the diesel generator in the Carnival Dream malfunctioned, while the ship was at port, and passengers were flown home.
The next week, Carnival Legend had a technical issue with its sailing speed, and was sent back to its destination in Tampa, canceling a scheduled stop.
This recent string of public relations disasters is not a new phenomenon for Carnival: Its first ship ran aground on a sandbar on its inaugural voyage. There have been fires on four ships since 1998.
The Costa Concordia, operated by a Carnival subsidiary, struck a reef of the coast of Italy in January 2012, killing 32 people.
But despite its checkered past, the increased cost of maintaining its aging fleet, and the need to cut prices to draw customers put off by recent fires and strandings, Carnival's bottom line has not badly suffered.
In fact, its quarterly earnings and revenue just beat market expectations, and Carnival executives say bookings have already bounced back in the wake of the heavily publicized Triumph disaster.

Problems started early for Carnival: The TSS Mardi Gras, its first cruise ship, ran aground on a sandbar during its inaugural voyage, in 1972.

Everything was fine until July 1998, when a fire started in the main laundry room of the Ecstasy, soon after the ship left Miami.

A fleet of tugboats fought the fire and pulled the ship to shore, but not before 8 passengers and 14 crew members were injured.Repairs cost $17 million.A little more than a year later, a fire started in the engine room of the Tropicale (later renamed Ocean Dream). The ship was left stranded in the path of Tropical Storm Harvey, but no one was injured.

In November 2010, the Carnival Splendor lost power after an engine room fire, and was towed to shore by tugboats.

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan brought supplies, including Spam and Pop-Tarts, when food supplies on board ran low.The ship finally reached shore three days after the fire.Carnival's most serious problem came in January 2012. The Costa Concordia, operated by a Carnival subsidiary, ran aground off the coast of Italy and partially sunk. 32 people died.

In a show of sympathy, the flags at the Carnival headquarters in Doral, Florida were flown at half-mast.

In February 2013, an engine room fire led to a power loss on the Carnival Triumph, stranding the ship in the Gulf of Mexico.

In March, the problems continued for Carnival: The diesel generator in the Dream malfunctioned while the ship was at port in St Maarten.

Just a week later, the Carnival Legend had a technical issue with its sailing speed, and was sent back to its destination in Tampa, canceling a scheduled stop. Passengers received a $100 credit.

The recent string of incidents has hurt Carnival's bottom line, but not seriously: Its quarterly earnings and revenue beat market expectations. With full hearted support from the hardworking crew members on board the so many ships and in office, Carnival would just bounce back from all odds and rise to be the Numero Uno in the cruise market yet again very soon.

Hi friends, I am back from a few days of unrest and busy schedule. After a few couple of years in Premier Cruises, the company went bankrupt on 5th September, 2000 leaving all the crew and many passengers stranded in the Bahamas and Barcelona, Spain. I shall come back to this story later, for I am excited to tell you the story of hhow my next company Carnival Cruiselines was born in 1972.




Carnival Corporation & plc Historical Background
Although the name Carnival Corporation didn’t come into existence until 1994, the foundation for the company was laid when its flagship brand, Carnival Cruise Lines, was formed in 1972 by cruise industry pioneer, the late Ted Arison. 


Carnival got its start in 1972 with a single ship, the Mardi Gras, a converted ocean liner which featured a number of innovative elements along with a festive onboard ambiance unlike any other cruise ship sailing at the time. The success of the Mardi Gras was instrumental in Carnival’s growth. The entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering vision of Carnival’s founder, the late Ted Arison, provided a solid foundation for the company’s future.

 The story of the first cruise goes on something like this..... The launch of Carnival Cruise Lines is a classic tale of the American Dream. Started by the late Ted Arison, the company began operation in 1972 with a boatload of vision, a single secondhand ship and just enough fuel to make a one-way trip from Miami to San Juan. Even as the Mardi Gras got out of Miami Harbour around evening, the ship ran aground and the tugboats had to be called in after collecting money from the guests onboard and in return, they were offered complimentary cruise at a later date. That was the beginning of Carnival and then there was no looking back for the company, its employees and Ted Arizon as Carnival Cruiselines soon reached the position of the Largest Cruise Operator of the World. After achieving its position as "The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line", in 1987 Carnival made an initial public offering of 20 percent of its common stock which provided the initial influx of capital that allowed the company to begin expanding through acquisition.

Over the years, Carnival has acquired representation in virtually every market segment of the cruise industry, including premium operator Holland America Line in 1989 (the purchase included niche operator Windstar Cruises and Alaskan/Canadian tour operator Holland America Tours); luxury brand Seabourn in 1992; Genoa, Italy-based contemporary brand Costa Cruises, Europe’s number one cruise operator, in 1997; and venerable premium/luxury operator Cunard Line in 1998, which built the world’s largest ocean liner, the 150,000-ton Queen Mary 2.

History in the Making Micky Arison, Carnival Chairman and CEO, and Howard Frank, Vice Chairman and COO, ring the closing bell at the NYSE on April 22, 2003, signaling the end of the first day of trading of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc shares (symbol: CCL) on the New York and London stock exchanges.

In April 2003, agreements were finalized to combine Carnival Corporation with P&O Princess Cruises plc, creating the world’s first global cruise operator encompassing 12 highly recognizable brands and making the new company one of the largest leisure travel companies in the world.

The merger with P&O Princess Cruises included some of the most recognizable brands in ocean-going travel – premium brand Princess Cruises, which gained worldwide acclaim from the hit television series, “The Love Boat”; P&O Cruises, an esteemed British cruise operator; contemporary brand P&O Cruises Australia, the country’s largest cruise operator; AIDA Cruises, Germany’s number one cruise company; Ocean Village, a contemporary United Kingdom operator catering to a younger, active clientele; and Swan Hellenic, a premium United Kingdom brand offering a distinctive and refined cruise experience.

Carnival’s unprecedented rise to the world’s largest cruise operator can be attributed to its ability to manage brand autonomy, with each major cruise line maintaining separate sales, marketing and reservation offices, as well as through the industry’s most aggressive shipbuilding program.

THE FUN BEGINS


Relying on little more than a contagious level of enthusiasm, Arison forged a partnership to build the young company into a full-fledged cruise line. Two years later, Carnival was still a struggling, small-time operator. But Arison remained as focused on his goal as ever. In 1974, he proved his determination, buying full ownership of the ailing Carnival – and its precarious future – for $1 in cash and the assumption of $5 million in debt.

Tenacious, driven and supremely confident, Arison spent the rest of his life making business strides that have become the stuff of seafaring legend – changing the tide for Carnival and turning a $1 investment into the most popular and profitable cruise line in the world. 

                                          41        years    of      fun

 

THROUGH THE YEARS . . .
1972 – Maiden voyage of Carnival’s first ship, the TSS Mardi Gras, which runs aground on sandbar outside the Port of Miami
1975 – Carnival purchases Empress of Britain, enters service as the TSS Carnivale
1978 – The Festivale, formerly the S.A. Vaal, undergoes $30 million refurbishment, begins service for Carnival as the largest and fastest vessel sailing from Miami to the Caribbean
1982 – Debut of the Tropicale, the first new cruise ship the cruise industry has seen in many years; ship marks the beginning of an industry-wide multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding boom
1984 – Carnival becomes first cruise line to advertise on network T.V. with the premiere of new advertising campaign starring company spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford (then Johnson)
1985 – Debut of 46,052-ton Holiday
1986 – Launch of 47,262-ton Jubilee
1987 – The 47,262-ton Celebration enters service. Carnival earns distinction as “Most Popular Cruise Line in the World,” carrying more passengers than any other. Carnival Cruise Lines undertakes its initial public offering on Wall Street, raising approximately $400 million to fuel future expansion; entity later becomes Carnival Corporation & plc, a multi-line worldwide cruise conglomerate
1990 – The 70,367-ton Carnival Fantasy – the first and namesake vessel in the highly successful “Fantasy-class” — enters service as first new ship ever placed on three- and four-day Bahamas cruise program from Miami.  Eventually, Carnival would construct eight “Fantasy-class” vessels, the most cruise ships in a single class.
1991 – Launch of 70,367-ton Carnival Ecstasy
1993 – Carnival introduces its third 70,367-ton SuperLiner, Carnival Sensation
1994 – Debut of 70,367-ton Carnival Fascination. Carnival’s parent company renamed Carnival Corporation to distinguish between it and its flagship brand, Carnival Cruise Lines. Company is later renamed Carnival Corp. & plc following the combination with P&O Princess Cruises, creating the world’s largest cruise operator by far.
1995 – 70,367-ton Carnival Imagination enters service
1996 – Carnival’s launches sixth “Fantasy-class” vessel, Carnival Inspiration. Carnival debuts the first passenger vessel to exceed 100,000 tons, the 101,353-ton Carnival Destiny, at the time the world’s largest cruise ship
1998 – Introduction of seventh “Fantasy-class” vessel, the Carnival Elation, the first new cruise ship deployed on the West Coast. The eighth and last in the “Fantasy-class” series, the Carnival Paradise, enters service
1999 – Debut of the 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph, Carnival’s second “Destiny-class” vessel
2000 – A third “Destiny-class” vessel, the 102,000-ton Carnival Victory, is launched.
2001 –Carnival introduces a new class of vessel with the launch of the 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit, the first new “Fun Ship” ever positioned in the Alaska and Hawaii markets
2002 – A second “Spirit-class” vessel, the Carnival Pride, is launched. Carnival’s third “Spirit-class” ship, Carnival Legend, enters service. Debut of the 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest, beginning a new class of vessel for the line.
2003 – Second 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” ship, the Carnival Glory, enter service
2004 – Carnival Miracle, the fourth in Carnival’s “Spirit-class,” debuts. A third 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” ship, Carnival Valor, sets sail
2005 – A fourth 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” vessel, Carnival Liberty, enters service July 20 operating Carnival’s first-ever Mediterranean cruise program.
2007 – Debut of Carnival’s fifth “Conquest-class” vessel, Carnival Freedom
2008 – The new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor enters service, representing a new class of ship for the line
2009 – The130,000-ton Carnival Dream – the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed – is introduced in Europe Sept. 21, 2009.
2011 – A second 130,000-ton ship, Carnival Magic, debuts in Europe May 1 and launched year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Galveston, Texas, Nov 14.
2012 – A third 130,000-ton ship, Carnival Breeze, enters service in June 3 operating 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona before repositioning to Miami on year-round six- and eight-day departures beginning November 24, becoming Carnival’s largest South Florida-based “Fun Ship.”
2016 – An as-yet-unnamed 135,000-ton ship is scheduled to debut in winter 2016.