Carnival's Tropicale To Debut Unique Two- and Three-Day Cruise Program From Port Canaveral, Fla., in February 2001
MIAMI, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines will introduce two- and three-day cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla., in February 2001, providing value-priced resort-style getaways to the Bahamas on the 1,022-passenger Tropicale.
Two-day cruises depart on Thursdays and Saturdays and encompass a full day in Freeport, along with two nights of relaxing ocean cruising featuring a spectacular array of dining, entertainment and activity options.
Three-day cruises, departing Port Canaveral on Mondays and returning on Thursdays, feature two different tropical Bahamian ports, Nassau and Freeport. Guests spend full days at both locations, as well as a full evening in Nassau to enjoy that city's nightlife. ``Two recognizable marquis ports on a three- day itinerary is unique and provides cruise vacationers with a terrific array of sightseeing choices, in addition to the many popular sun and watersports activities,'' said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president.
These new two- and three-day cruises, which begin Feb. 12, 2001, mark Carnival's latest foray into the booming ``short'' cruise market, which also includes three- and four-day Bahamas voyages aboard the Fantasy from Port Canaveral. Sailings of five days or less in length continue to be the fastest growing segment of the cruise industry.
``Because of its close proximity to popular Central Florida theme parks, there is a market unique to Port Canaveral for a low-cost, high-value short cruise vacation experience which can be conveniently paired with resort stays to create terrific all-inclusive cruise/land packages,'' Dickinson said. He pointed out that with the closing of Cape Canaveral and Premier cruise lines, Carnival wanted to move quickly to fill the gap created by the sudden decrease in short cruise vacation options from Port Canaveral.
Dickinson added that the Tropicale's new cruises will be offered in conjunction with Carnival's Cruise & Orlando Vacations program. The all- inclusive packages combine a ``Fun Ship'' cruise with a land stay in and around the Central Florida area, home to a variety of world-renowned theme parks and attractions. Optional add-ons include rental car and air transportation.
Carnival's 36,674-ton Tropicale offers an array of signature ``Fun Ship'' amenities, including a full schedule of daytime activities and nighttime entertainment, a diversity of bars and nightspots, full casino gambling, on- board duty-free shopping and a supervised ``Camp Carnival'' children's program for kids ages 2-15. Dining choices include traditional full-service meals in the main dining room, a casual poolside eatery offering breakfast and lunch buffets and a ``Seaview Bistro'' alternative dinner-time service, and complimentary 24-hour pizzeria and stateroom service. Three swimming pools, including one with a 115-foot-long water slide, are featured as well.
Prices for the Tropicale's two-day cruises begin at $179 per person; three-day voyages start at $239 per person. Special third and fourth rates for guests sailing in the same stateroom are also available.
The Tropicale currently operates four- and five-day cruises from Tampa and will continue that program through the departure of Nov. 9, 2000. After that, the vessel will sail on an eight-day western Caribbean cruise and a series of 10-day Panama Canal voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., through Feb. 10, 2001, then begin its new two- and three-day sailings from Port Canaveral.
Carnival will begin accepting reservations on the Tropicale's new schedule Wednesday, Oct. 4.