3,006-Passenger Vessel Set to Enter Service in ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PREVIOUSLY ORDERED 112,000-TON CRUISE SHIP ASSIGNED TO
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES BY CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC
New 3,006-Passenger Vessel Scheduled to Enter Service in Spring 2008
MIAMI (Sept. 30, 2005) - Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK)
today announced that it has assigned a previously ordered 112,000-ton cruise
ship to its Carnival Cruise Lines brand.
The 3,006-passenger ship, to be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, is
expected to enter service in spring 2008.
Representing a new design for Carnival Cruise Lines, the as-yet-unnamed vessel
will offer a host of innovative on-board amenities, including the largest spa
and children's facilities in the Carnival fleet.
The vessel was part of a five-ship agreement with Fincantieri announced in
September 2004 that also included the 116,000-ton Emerald Princess for Princess
Cruises, the 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom for Carnival Cruise Lines, and the
116,000-ton Ventura for P&O Cruises, and a significant redesign of Cunard
Line's previously ordered Queen Victoria.
"Originally, we envisioned this ship would be designated for one of our
European brands. However, Carnival Cruise Lines continues to perform at a very
high level and based on the tremendous consumer demand for its products, we now
believe that this specific tonnage would be best utilized for Carnival's North
American market," said Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc chairman and
CEO.
Arison noted that the new ship extends Carnival Cruise Lines' newbuilding
program into 2008 and will build upon the line's distinction as the "Number One
Choice for Caribbean Cruising."
Among the new vessel's highlights will be a 17,800-square-foot spa that will
encompass two forward decks and include an elaborate thermal suite, a variety
of health and beauty treatment rooms, and Carnival's first thalasso therapy
pool. Encircling the upper level of the spa will be a winter garden that will
include a ceremonial tea house.
A 5,500-square-foot children's playroom -- the largest in the Carnival fleet --
will be located mid-ship. Above the facility will be a new water play area - a
first for the line.
The mid-ship pool - one of four on board - will be enclosed by two full decks
of glass walls. The area will be covered with a two-deck-high retractable dome
that can be closed during inclement weather. A large balcony will encircle the
upper deck of the pool area.
A new sports deck will be located aft and feature bleacher-style seating for
games and other events, while a reservations-only supper club will be located
atop the poolside Lido restaurant, providing diners with magnificent ocean
vistas.
The ship will also house 1,503 staterooms, 60 percent of which will offer an
ocean view with 60 percent of those featuring private verandahs.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world,
with a portfolio of 12 cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia,
comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises,
Seabourn Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard
Line, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises, Swan Hellenic, and P&O Cruises Australia.
Together, these brands operate 79 ships totaling more than 137,000 lower berths
with 12 new ships scheduled for delivery between January 2006 and April 2009.
Carnival Corporation & plc also operates the leading tour companies in Alaska
and the Canadian Yukon, Holland America Tours and Princess Tours. Traded on
both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the
only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100
indices.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
US
Carnival Corporation & plc
Tim Gallagher
1 305 599 2600, ext. 16000
UK
Brunswick Group
Sophie Fitton
44 (0) 20 7404 5959
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
US/UK
Carnival Corporation & plc
Beth Roberts
1 305 406 4832
44 7956 436 104
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