Carnival Cruise Lines expands short cruise offerings

Responding to the trend for more short vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines says it will increase its short cruise offerings in 2004 by 50%. The cruise line is also providing 39 different short cruise itineraries, including departures from two new homeports — Jacksonville, Fla., and Mobile, Ala. Short cruises are the fastest-growing segment in the cruise industry, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. Thirteen of Carnival’s 20 so-called “Fun Ships” will operate short cruises from 13 different North American homeports. The company says this represents the most of any cruise line this year. The company also says many passengers are deciding to combine their “Fun Ship” vacation with a pre-or post-cruise land stay to create a customized land/cruise package. Carnival has expanded its efforts in this area by adding new hotel properties such as the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Beach Club in Jacksonville, Fla., and the Westin Long Beach Hotel in California. –Report by David Wilkening–