Carnival Cruise Line recently held a two-day 'Grand Finale' event in Prague for its group of travel agent Fun Ambassadors. The trip featured a full day analysing the success of the programme across the past 12 months, including developing agents’ brand knowledge and growing awareness of Carnival Cruise Line’s itineraries. Day two included a tour of Prague followed by a dinner overlooking the Charles Bridge. Jackie Corbett, from Barrhead Travel, said: "It has been an exciting year of fun and learning. As a store, we have doubled our Carnival Cruise Line bookings." Iain Baillie, VP international sales at Carnival Cruise Line, added: "It's been a pleasure to work with our Fun Ambassadors over the last 12 months and the 'Grand Finale' visit to Prague was the perfect way to thank them for their support.” Our trade relationships are vital to our continued success." The Fun Ambassadors programme was established in 2019 and sees 11 travel agents - hand-picked each year for their knowledge of the cruise industry - work with Carnival to provide advice, ideas and feedback on how the line collaborates with its agent partners. Agents attend quarterly meetings with Carnival executives, receive priority access to events and benefit from 10 Loyalty Rocks points per booking. Further details about the 2025 programme will be revealed shortly.  

Carnival Corporation has beefed up its renewable energy network with the launch of new solar park projects s at two of its port destinations. It has installed solar at Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatán, Honduras, and Puerta Maya in Cozumel, Mexico. These solar installations mark a key step in renewable energy solutions across Carnival Corp’s global port operations. At Mahogany Bay, the solar park includes 400 high-efficiency solar panels and is expected to supply 60-70% of the port’s total energy needs. At Puerta Maya, the newly installed solar panels will provide renewable energy to power the terminal facilities (not including private businesses), and help reduce reliance on conventional electricity. The company rolled out two solar projects last year at Amber Cove Cruise Center in the Dominican Republic and at two of its Port of Barcelona cruise terminals, Palacruceros (Terminal D) and Helix Cruise Center (Terminal E). "Our investments in solar energy are creating meaningful benefits for the communities where we operate," said Juan Fernandez, VP, Destination Operations, Carnival Corporation. "We are focused on making a lasting, positive impact in our destinations." "This investment in renewable energy strengthens the environmental sustainability of Mahogany Bay and Roatán’s position as a leading eco-conscious destination," says Ron McNab, Mayor of Roatán.

Carnival executives were in The Bahamas to launch the five-month countdown to the eagerly awaited Celebration Key. Carnival Cruise Line’s newest private destination in Grand Bahama, will officially open when Carnival Vista completes the inaugural call on July 19, 2025. To mark the occasion, Carnival Corp chief CEO Josh Weinstein and chief maritime officer Lars Ljoen joined Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy for a behind-the-scenes look. It comes as construction enters its final phases. They placed commemorative keys into the 10-storey Suncastle, the centrepiece of the destination’s five distinct ‘portals,’ Celebration Key portals: Paradise Plaza - the gateway to Celebration Key. Starfish Lagoon – a family-friendly area with water slides and a sports court. Calypso Lagoon – an adult-friendly area with the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean and a large swim-up bar. Pearl Cove Beach Club – an adult-only experience with an infinity pool, beachfront daybeds, private cabanas and exclusive super villas. Lokono Cove – a retail village celebrating Bahamian culture through local art and handmade goods.   They also planted palm trees from the Plant a Tree community engagement program, launched last year as part of an initiative.  It has involved replanting thousands of native trees across Celebration Key. Additionally, Christine Duffy participated in the ceremonial filling of one of two freshwater lagoons, the largest in the Caribbean, that will be sustained by Celebration Key’s desalination system. The lagoons span over seven acres and hold seven million gallons of water. Duffy said: "Celebration Key represents a new chapter for Carnival and its construction builds on our close partnership with the Bahamas.” “We broke ground on this site less than three years ago and now in five short months we’ll see our first guests enjoy the many experiences we created just for them on Grand Bahama."

  Carnival Cruise Line ship Carnival Sunshine has returned to service following a month-long drydock.   The 3,700-guest ship sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, on February 11 for a six-day cruise to the Bahamas, calling at Freeport and Bimini, following a ceremony attended by Carnival Cruise Line vice president of port operations David Candib, Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander and Stephen Kirkland, executive director at Nauticus, a maritime discovery centre located in Norfolk.   The departure represents the ship’s first from the port and the start of Carnival’s year-round cruising from Norfolk, which will see up to 150,000 guests sail from the port annually.   Carnival Sunshine’s drydock included technical maintenance, along with updates to public areas and staterooms. The ship features a three-level Serenity adult-only retreat as well as food and beverage options such as Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, the RedFrog Pub, Havana Bar and the Alchemy Bar.   As part of its year-round deployment, Carnival Sunshine will visit destinations in the Bahamas, Bermuda and Eastern Caribbean. From September 2025, it will sail to Celebration Key, Carnival’s new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama.   Carnival Cruise Line vice president of port operations David Candib said: “Carnival’s 23-year partnership with the City of Norfolk and Nauticus has been a great success, and we’re honoured to build on our relationship by making Norfolk the newest year-round cruise port on the east coast. Year-round cruises mean more options for fun adventures and unforgettable holidays for our loyal guests as well as more tourism and economic impact for the Norfolk community both before and after each cruise.”

Carnival Sunshine is back on the ocean following a month-long drydock. The 3,700-guest ship this week sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, on February 11 for a six-day cruise to the Bahamas, calling at Freeport and Bimini. It was waved off after a ceremony attended by Carnival Cruise Line vice president of port operations David Candib, Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander and Stephen Kirkland, executive director at Nauticus, a maritime discovery center located in Norfolk. The departure marks the ship’s first from the port and the start of Carnival’s year-round cruising from Norfolk. The deployment will see up to 150,000 guests sail from the port annually. Carnival Sunshine’s drydock included technical maintenance, along with updates to public areas and staterooms. The ship features a three-level Serenity adult-only retreat as well as food and beverage options such as Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, the RedFrog Pub, Havana Bar and the Alchemy Bar. For the year-round deployment, Carnival Sunshine will visit destinations in the Bahamas, Bermuda and Eastern Caribbean. From September 2025, it will sail to Celebration Key, Carnival’s new destination on Grand Bahama. Candib said: “Carnival’s 23-year partnership with the City of Norfolk and Nauticus has been a great success, and we’re honored to build on our relationship by making Norfolk the newest year-round cruise port on the east coast.”

  Carnival Cruise Line’s Christine Duffy has marked 10 years as the line’s president.   Christine joined the operator in 2015, following a spell as CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. Prior to that she worked in the travel agency and meeting planning sectors.   In her time leading the cruise line, she has overseen the launch of nine ships and 70 ship refurbishments. During her tenure, 13,500 cruises have departed, with 42.5 million guests sailing with Carnival.   In October 2024, Christine took part in a skydive for Hurricane Helene relief efforts and has supported fundraising work for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.   In July 2025, Carnival will open its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, and additional expansion is taking place on the newly renamed RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.   The Carnival Cruise Line fleet will also expand with five new ships on order, for delivery through to 2033, and the transfer of Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter from P&O Cruises Australia in March 2025.   To watch a video of Christine’s 10-year highlights, click here.

  Carnival Cruise Line is offering agents the chance to visit its new private destination, Celebration Key, as well as a host of other prizes as part of its new trade wave incentive.   Running until March 31, 2025, the incentive includes six places to join a fam trip to Celebration Key, located in Grand Bahama, in 2025.   To be in with a chance of winning, agents need to make any Carnival booking during the time period on GoCCL.co.uk and register it on LoyaltyRocksClub.com, the line’s agent rewards platform.   Other prizes include two vouchers for a spa package; two 12-month passes for Merlin Attractions; two IMAX tickets; and one limited-edition Mardi Gras version of Monopoly.   Agents can also earn £30 for every booking they make until March 31. They will need to register their bookings on LoyaltyRocksClub.com.   Winners of the Celebration Key fam trip places and other prizes will be notified via email by mid March 2025.   Celebration Key will feature five ‘portal’ areas, comprising the adult-only Pearl Cove Beach Club; family friendly Starfish Lagoon; Paradise Plaza welcome area; Calypso Lagoon adult-friendly area; and Lokono Cove shopping village.   Iain Baillie, vice president international sales at Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Our latest wave incentive is further evidence of our commitment to rewarding our trade partners. They continue to go above and beyond in spreading the Carnival message to more guests than ever before, so it’s only right that we show our appreciation with a host of fantastic prizes.”   For more information call 0808 234 0680.

Carnival Cruise Line is starting its final departure from downtown Charleston today. After more than a decade and hundreds of departures from the Union Pier Terminal, the cruise line bids farewell with its final homeport departure today, December 30. The New Year cruise has long been sold out and calls at Nassau and Half Moon Cay aboard Carnival Sunshine. It returns to Charleston for the last time on January 4. The Ports Authority is selling Union Pier to local businessman Ben Navarro who will redevelop the site. As such, the port authority is not renewing its homeporting contract with Carnival Cruise Line. "We had to pivot in the way that we were utilizing Union Pier," said Barbara Melvin, the port’s president and CEO. "It really reflected nothing about our relationship with Carnival, but just more about what we had decided to do as the South Carolina Port." The port area will have new facilities but won’t go back to being a homeporting base for cruise ships.

Carnival has unveiled a variety of onboard updates for rebranded Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. The two ships are transferring from P&O Cruises Australia and will begin sailing with Carnival Cruise Line from March 2025, following a two-week wet dock. Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter will feature: Carnival’s ‘Fun Squad’: The line’s onboard entertainment team will host comedy shows, deck parties and games. Turtles Kids’ Club: A new childcare programme for children under two, offering arts and crafts, story time, dancing and sensory play. Traditional Carnival activities such as Build-A-Bear workshops, the Conga for Kids line dance party and 1980s-themed Rock and Glow nights. The rebranded ships will continue to feature a range of P&O Cruises Australia favourites, including the the Byron Beach Club; Edge Adventure Park; Luke Mangan’s specialty restaurant Luke’s Bar & Grill; Angelo’s and Dragon Lady; and the Blanc de Blanc show. Once rebranded, Carnival Adventure will sail year-round from Sydney, joining sister ship Carnival Splendor. Carnival Encounter will homeport in Brisbane year-round, with Carnival Luminosa joining during the summer season. In 2025, Carnival expects to welcome 600,000 guests sailing from Sydney and Brisbane. Kara Glamore, VP of sales and marketing at Carnival, said: “This transition presents a unique opportunity to combine the best of P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Cruise Line as the brand expands its footprint in Australia.” Glamore added: “Carnival Cruise Line remains the only cruise line globally to demonstrate this level of commitment to Australia, sailing year round and supporting thousands of local jobs.”

  Carnival Cruise Line will mark its 55th birthday in 2027 with three celebratory ship meetup events at sea.   During each of the events, several Carnival ships will simultaneously host Lido deck birthday celebrations. Guests can also expect a birthday-themed speciality cocktail, birthday cakes at restaurants, a Lido dessert buffet and themed party games and trivia.   The events will take place across 11 itineraries in 2027, comprising:   March 9, four ships near Celebration Key:   * From Mobile: Carnival Spirit will meet during an eight-day cruise, departing March 6. * From Jacksonville: Carnival Elation will sail on a five-day cruise, departing March 6. * From Tampa: Carnival Legend will sail a six-day cruise, departing March 7. * From Port Canaveral: Carnival Freedom will sail a five-day cruise, departing March 8.   March 10, three ships near RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay   * From Galveston: Carnival Jubilee will sail an eight-day voyage, departing March 6. * From Tampa: Carnival Legend will sail a six-day itinerary, departing March 7. * From Baltimore: Carnival Pride will sail a seven-day cruise, departing March 7.   March 13, five ships near Celebration Key   * From Miami: Carnival Celebration will sail a seven-day cruise, departing March 7. Carnival Sunrise will sail a four-day cruise starting March 11 and Carnival Conquest will sail a three-day cruise, departing March 12. * From Port Canaveral: Carnival Vista will operate an eight-day journey, departing March 6, and Carnival Glory will sail a three-day cruise, departing March 12.   Carnival Cruise Line began sailing from PortMiami in 1972 and now operates a fleet of 27 ships. This will grow to 29 in the spring of 2025 as the cruise line expands operations in Australia. Additionally, in 2027 a new Excel-class ship will launch, and four more new vessels will follow through to 2033.

Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line have jointly revealed that Half Moon Cay will be renamed RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, as part of its new makeover. The Bahamas private island destination will feature a new pier on the north side of the island to allow Carnival’s Excel class ships to dock for the first time. Additionally, the north side will feature a new tram service and separate shore excursion pier, expanded lounging areas, new cabanas, two lunch venues and a variety of island-themed bars. The existing development on the south side will include a new beach club, an updated lunch venue and other renovated facilities. The enhancements will start to come online for guest use from summer 2026 and continue through to the end of the year. Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Many of our 2026 and beyond itineraries will feature both RelaxAway and new Celebration Key, providing guests with complimentary experiences at both beach days.” Beth Bodensteiner, HAL president added: “Holland America guests have loved Half Moon Cay since it opened as a port of call in 1997. The south side of the island, where Holland America has always visited, will remain the secluded paradise our guests are accustomed to.”

  Carnival Cruise Line has revealed it will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 with a series of 10 special sailings.   The cruises comprise a variety of itineraries ranging from three to eight days, sailing from six homeports: Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, New York City, Long Beach and San Francisco.   On July 4, 2026, officially America’s 250th birthday, seven ships sailing from east coast homeports will meet near Celebration Key – the line’s new private destination in Grand Bahama - for a celebration at sea.   From the east coast, Carnival Vista will depart on June 27 for an eight-day Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, calling at ports such as San Juan and St. Thomas; Carnival Celebration will operate a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami on June 28, visiting Celebration Key, Nassau, Amber Cove and Grand Turk; and on July 2 Carnival Sunrise will sail a four-day Bahamas cruise from Miami and Carnival Elation will sail to the Bahamas on a four-day cruise from Jacksonville.   Additionally, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory will both depart on July 3, offering three-day cruises to Celebration Key, from Miami and Port Canaveral, respectively.   Meanwhile, from the northeastern coast, Carnival Venezia will sail from New York on July 1, for an eight-day cruise visiting Celebration Key, Nassau and Half Moon Cay.   West coast options comprise a five-day Mexican Riviera cruise from Long Beach, departing June 30, on Carnival Radiance and calling at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada; a four-day option from San Francisco, departing July 2, on Carnival Luminosa; and a three-day Baja Mexico cruise from Long Beach, departing July 3, on Carnival Firenze. The three ships will meet at sea on July 4, near Ensenada, with each hosting anniversary deck parties, as well as themed entertainment and food and drink.   Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “We're America’s cruise line and we’re commemorating this milestone in a big way. Uniting our ships will multiply the fun and make America's 250th birthday even more memorable for guests who celebrate at sea. The cruises we’re opening for sale today offer great variety, so guests can choose their ideal way to take part in a truly once-in-a-lifetime occasion."