Thread: Farewell, Holiday.

It's time to say good-bye.
The Holiday sailed its last voyage for Carnival Cruise Line last week, and is being transferred to another fleet within the Carnival family of cruise lines.






Here's what wikipedia says about the ship's history:
Built by Aalborg Værft in Ålborg, Denmark, Holiday entered service for Carnival Cruise Lines in 1985. The ship's condition had been in decline until 2003, when she was sent into the dry docks and renovated.
In 2005, during Hurricane Katrina, she was used as temporary housing for victims of the storm. After leaving Mississippi, she again went to the dry docks for an additional three weeks of renovations. New carpeting and plumbing were added and repairs to the propellers were made, among other improvements.
Holiday resumed her normal route in the Western Caribbean, sailing from Mobile, Alabama until November 2009. In November 2009, Holiday was retired from the fleet and will be transferred to the fleet of Iberocruceros, another cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation & plc as the Grand Holiday.

Did you ever sail aboard the Holiday?

We can use this thread to bid her a fond farewell.

We have a recent Trip Report about the Holiday!

It can be found here --> Ges cruise on the Holiday 10/10/09 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews a

I have been on the Holiday twice. The first time was Easter weekend March/April 1997. I was about 4-1/2 months pregnant and we wanted to fit in one last vacation before I gave birth. Unfortunately, my hubby wanted to take a short cruise as he was waiting for the application period for a job promotion (kind like if you snooze, you lose) that he was expecting (would be a couple of months anyway).

Because it was a 3-day cruise during spring break, there were tons of college aged kids from Southern California. Lotsa beer bonging (I guess that's the word). I imagine any kid with an ID over 21 was very, very popular. I came with a maternity swimsuit and long drapey dress for formal night. We had just one port, Ensenada, and we decided to take the city tour this time. Saw many of the city buildings, many associated with Al Capone. A stop at a square with choice of beer, margarita or cola. Had the cola. Then a bus tour of the environs.

Came back on the ship, and we watched up on deck the many college kids staggering back after their pilgrimage to Hussuins. I'm sure on Easter morning many of them were not attending the church service. There was an Easter theme meal.

A couple of years later (and yes, hubby got a double promotion from that wait), we were ready to introduce our daughter to the world of cruising. The Holiday was still doing the Baja itinerary for Carnival. The girl was one month too young for Camp Carnival, but that was okay. We enjoyed watching her explore the ship, the decks (including the topless one), the shuffleboard deck, the big bus, the waiter dances (one of them would pick her up and take her around, which she loved), the production show (she still loves them).

So we have our memories on the ol' Holiday. Long may she sail safely.

I've never sailed on the Holiday, but got to see her for the first and last time in Cozumel, Mexico in August when I was on the Carnival Imagination. At least she's not going to be scrapped.

I hate it when one gets scrapped, don't you? It's just so sad to think about . . .

It is always sad to lose a ship with so many memories