Thread: Carnival Splendor joins RCCL Mariner in LA

MIAMI (June 13, 2007) – Carnival Cruise Lines’ 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor – the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed – will launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning in March 2009, following its inaugural schedule of European and Caribbean voyages.
The Carnival Splendor will further bolster the line’s dominant position as cruise industry leader in Southern California , which is currently home to four Carnival ships. With the arrival of Carnival Splendor, the line expects to carry approximately 650,000 guests annually on these highly popular West Coast cruises -- almost twice the number of any other cruise line.
Carnival is the only cruise line to feature three ships offering year-round cruises from Southern California – two from Long Beach and one from San Diego -- as well as a fourth ship sailing seasonally from San Diego. In addition, Carnival offers the widest available choice of cruise lengths – ranging from three to eight days -- with visits to exciting ports in Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera.
A new class of “Fun Ship,” the 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor will introduce a host of innovations, highlighted by a luxurious 21,000-square-foot health and fitness facility surrounded by 68 exclusive spa staterooms and suites – a first for the line.
“With its vast array of on-board facilities and features, including the most elaborate and magnificent spa ever introduced on a Carnival ship, Carnival Splendor will usher in an exciting new era in ‘Fun Ship’ vacations and provide a fresh and exciting West Coast cruise option,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.
Attractive Seven-Day Mexican Riviera Itinerary
Carnival Splendor will offer an unmatched Mexican Riviera cruise vacation experience when it launches year-round seven-day service from Long Beach March 29, 2009. Ports of call include three popular seaside towns: Puerto Vallarta, which dazzles visitors with its gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear waters and lush countryside; Mazatlan, which, in addition to excellent beaches, offers an abundance of dining and shopping options; and Cabo San Lucas, distinguished by its rugged rock formations and miles of white-sand beaches.
Fabulous pre- and post-cruise land stays, as well as myriad shore excursion opportunities – including snorkeling, canopy tours, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, kayaking, golfing and off-road Jeep adventures – will also be offered in conjunction with these voyages.
Prior to year-round deployment to Long Beach, the new Carnival Splendor will start service on July 13, 2008 and introduce Carnival’s first 12-day Northern European cruise program, followed by a series of 12-day Mediterranean departures through Oct. 17, 2008. The ship will then sail on a transatlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Oct. 29, continuing with a series of seven-day Caribbean voyages from that port beginning Nov. 22, 2008.
Host of On-Board Innovations
As the first in a new series of “Fun Ships,” Carnival Splendor will offer a variety of innovative facilities and features. These include an expansive, state-of-the-art health and fitness center spanning the forward portion of two full decks. Including the 68 spa staterooms and suites, the health and wellness center will encompass 40,000 total square feet and will include the line’s first thalassotherapy pool, an elaborate Thermal Suite, and 17 treatment rooms for administering a wide range of soothing therapies.
Building upon Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader, Carnival Splendor’s numerous family-friendly amenities will include a two-level 5,500-square-foot children’s play area – part of the line’s top-rated “Camp Carnival” program, along with a water spray park on Lido Deck. An expansive teen club and full activity schedule, part of the line’s “Club O2” program, will also be offered.
Also new will be a sliding Sky Dome over the main pool area, which will house Carnival’s Seaside Theatre -- a massive outdoor screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming.
Dining options will include twin two-level main dining rooms, a casual poolside eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, deli, a traditional Indian Tandoori oven, an upscale seafood venue and numerous other choices, and an elegant reservations-only supper club offering prime quality beef and other gourmet cuisine.
The ship will also house 1,503 staterooms, including a wide variety of accommodation categories, including several levels of suites and staterooms with private balconies. All accommodations will feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Pricing and Reservations
Carnival will begin accepting reservations on the Carnival Splendor’s new seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach beginning Friday, June 22, 2007.
Prices begin at $549 per person based on double occupancy. Special discounts for third and fourth guests in the same staterooms and round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways are also available.

Must be a good sign for us West Coasters that bigger ships are being moved over here.

Why do you think it is a good sign that bigger ships are being moved to the west coast?

Originally Posted by marnaz

Why do you think it is a good sign that bigger ships are being moved to the west coast?

To me it seems an acknowledgement that there's a viable market here. Many of us who live in California like to go on cruises out of the west coast ports, but the more popular dates get sold out quickly (which doesn't allow for booking closer to a cruise). Disney has twice moved one of their ships for the MR cruise, and Princess has bigger ships doing this route, but September thru early May only.

Too bad there can't be a SD or LA cruise to SF. That would be so cool.