CARNIVAL ADDS FIVE MORE MOBILE DEPARTURES IN MARCH 2002

  MIAMI (11/27/01) – Following tremendous response to its first “Fun Ship” departures from Mobile, Ala., announced earlier this month, Carnival Cruise Lines has added five more sailings from that port aboard the 1,452-passenger Holiday in March 2002.

            “While we anticipated a strong reaction to our first-ever ‘Fun Ship’ departures from Mobile, the pace of reservations has exceeded even our wildest expectations, with the five- and six-day voyages completely sold out and the two-day cruise selling very rapidly,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president. “We’re delighted to offer these additional sailings from Mobile, which provide an affordable, convenient, ‘close-to-home’ vacation option for residents of the southeastern U.S.,” he added. 
Dickinson noted that the efforts of travel agents in Alabama and the surrounding areas played a key role in the program’s success.

“We are thrilled with the level of interest in cruising from Mobile,” said Brenda J. Scott, CEO/President Mobile Convention and Visitors Corporation. “After the initial announcement of ‘trial’ cruising from Mobile, Carnival and local travel agencies experienced a deluge of bookings for the three cruises in March. We are pleased that Mobilians and others are taking advantage of this exciting opportunity to travel,” she added.

Mobile has long been known as a Port City.  From shipbuilding, maintenance, as a harbor, museum location and now as a cruising port. “Mobile is proud to be associated with Carnival Cruise Lines and welcomes the opportunity for others to come to the Port City,” said Mayor Mike Dow.

            The new sailings from Mobile consist of two two-day cruises-to-nowhere departing March 15 and 23, a five-day western Caribbean voyage departing March 31, and two six-day “exotic” western Caribbean sailing departing March 17 and 25, 2002.  Ports of call on the five-day voyage include Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, Mexico, while six-day voyages will visit Playa del Carmen; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel.

These sailings are in addition to a previously announced series of two- to six-day voyages from Mobile operating March 2-15, 2002.

            Guests sailing from Mobile will enjoy the Holiday’s wide variety of “resort-style” amenities and facilities, including 10 bars and lounges, three swimming pools – one with a 115-foot-long water slide – a full gambling casino, a health and fitness facility, and a children’s play room, part of the line’s top-rated “Camp Carnival” program.

The Holiday also features two full-service dining rooms, complimentary 24-hour room service, and a poolside eatery offering breakfast, lunch and dinner alternatives and a 24-hour pizzeria, all part of Carnival’s Total Choice Dining (SM), cruising’s most comprehensive dining program offering the widest variety of formal and casual options at sea.

            Carnival is currently accepting reservations for the Holiday’s new Mobile departures.  Prices for the two-day cruises-to-nowhere begin at $199 per person, the five-day at $349 per person, and the six-day Caribbean voyage at $399 per person, based on double occupancy.

            If booked via Carnival “Fun Finance Plan (SM),” which allows consumers to purchase a “Fun Ship” cruise via fixed payments over a 24-month period at the lowest annual percentage rate available, the two-day cruises are available starting at $10 per month, the five-day cruise $17 per month and the six-day voyages at $19 per month.

            Actual monthly payment and terms may vary according to the applicant’s credit qualifications. Valid for U.S. individual bookings only. Certain other restrictions apply.

*Source -  Mobile Convention and Visitors Bureau