Cruising News Magazine Cruising News February 2019 | Page 17
Name For Largest Carnival Cruise Line Ship Ever Constructed
In a nod to Carnival Cruise Line's rich
history as America's Cruise Line, the
line has announced that it will name
its new XL-class ship to be delivered
in 2020 Mardi Gras, bringing back to
the fleet the name of the first Carnival
Cruise Line ship that entered service
in 1972 and started the wave of cruise
vacation popularity in the United
States.
Carnival founder Ted Arison, ushered in
the modern-day cruise industry when it
set sail on its inaugural voyage in 1972,
helping to transform cruising from an
experience once reserved for the elite
into a mainstream vacation accessible
and affordable to everyone.
Mardi Gras will be the largest Carnival
Cruise Line ship ever constructed
and the first in North America to be
powered by Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG), part of Carnival Corporation's
green cruising platform. At 180,000
tons, the new Mardi Gras will be more
than six times the size of its namesake.
Currently under construction at Meyer
Turku in Finland, the 5,200-plus lower
berth vessel will offer a variety of
never-before-seen innovations and
attractions. "Our first ship Mardi Gras was a historic
vessel, introducing a brand new style
of cruising to the vacationing public.
What better way to pay tribute to our
company's nearly 50-year history of
creating wonderful vacation memories
than by naming this groundbreaking
vessel after our original and beloved
'Fun Ship,'" said Christine Duffy,
president of Carnival Cruise Line.
"The new Mardi Gras will follow the
trailblazing lead of her predecessor,
introducing features and technological
innovations that have never been seen
before on a cruise ship while setting a
new standard for seagoing vacations."
The original 27,000-ton TSS Mardi Gras,
a converted trans-Atlantic ocean
liner purchased by entrepreneur and Carnival previously announced
that the ship will be based in Port
Canaveral, Fla., which will feature
a new state-of-the-art terminal. A
second XL ship will start construction in
2020 and be delivered in 2022 to mark
the 50th anniversary of Carnival Cruise
Line's founding.
In another cruise industry first, Carnival
Cruise Line's Mardi Gras will feature
the first-ever roller coaster at sea
when it debuts in 2020, providing an
unforgettable and unique open-air
thrill ride on the line's newest and most
innovative ship.
Built by Munich-based Maurer Rides,
BOLT- Ultimate Sea Coaster is a heart-
pounding rush of adrenaline offering
nearly 800 feet of exhilarating twists,
turns and drops with riders reaching
speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour.
It is an all-electric roller coaster that
allows two riders in a motorcycle-like
vehicle to race along a track 187 feet
above sea level, enabling guests to
experience the sea in an exciting new
way with breathtaking 360-degree
views.
2020 Deployment to Canada & New England
The 2020 Canada & New England
cruise season offered by Princess
Cruises showcases the fall foliage to
iconic destinations along the east
coast and even offers a trip to see the
frozen landscapes of Greenland. Two
ships sail the region – the debut of Sky
Princess, joined by Caribbean Princess.
The season features 16 departures,
visiting 16 destinations on five
itineraries, ranging in length from five
to 16 days. Program highlights include:
New for 2020! Caribbean Princess
visits the frozen landscape of far-flung
Greenland, to discover more of the
world. This 16-day voyage roundtrip
from New York travels to one of the
world's largest island, visiting this
least populated territory, including
the capital and country's largest
city, Nuuk, as well as Nanortalik and
Qaqortoq. The cruise also makes
stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sydney
(Cape Breton Island) and St. John's,
Newfoundland: Caribbean Princess
offers 10-day Classic Canada & New
England voyages out of Québec City
and New York featuring overnight
stays in Québec on every voyage.
Port stops visited include the seaside
communities like Newport, Boston,
Portland, Saint John (for the Bay of
Fundy), New Brunswick, Halifax, Sydney
(Cape Breton Island), Charlottetown
(Prince Edward Island), Saguenay and
Québec.
In addition, Caribbean Princess offers
a 13-day Canada & Colonial America
cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Québec
(or vice versa) featuring calls in Sydney
(Cape Breton Island), Halifax, Saint
John (for the Bay of Fundy), Bar Harbor
(for Acadia National Park), Boston,
Newport, Rhode Island, New York and
Charleston (northbound) or Norfolk
(southbound).
Sky Princess sails on her maiden
Canada and New England season
with seven-day cruises roundtrip from
New York, visiting Newport, Rhode
Island, Boston, Bar Harbor (for Acadia
National Park), Saint John (for the
Bay of Fundy) and Halifax. A five-day
Canadian Atlantic Provinces Getaway
out of New York is also being offered
aboard Sky Princess, visiting Saint John
(for the Bay of Fundy) and Halifax.
To further enhance guests' cruise
vacations, Princess Cruises is offering
a choice of two options on the East
Coast to see the sites of colonial
America or Niagara Falls and the
best of Eastern Canada: Historic
America Cruisetour takes guests to
such important places as Thomas
Jefferson's Monticello estate, Colonial
Williamsburg, Independence Hall
in Philadelphia and the Gettysburg
Battlefield and the Maple Explorer
Cruisetour brings guests to beautiful
Niagara Falls; exciting cities like
the capital of Ottawa and French-
flavoured Montreal with guided tours of
the Canadian Museum of Civilization,
dazzling cathedrals and the historic
19th century Rideau Canal, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Guests will also be
treated to a lovely cruise through the
picturesque Thousand Islands.
www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au
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