Carnival Cruise Lines Dramatically Expands Bermuda Presence With 16 Departures From Four East Coast Homeports in 2011

MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, will dramatically expand its Bermuda cruise schedule in 2011, offering 16 departures to the island from four popular eastern U.S. homeports — Baltimore, Norfolk, Va.; New York and, for the first time, Charleston, S.C. Carnival will be the only cruise line offering Bermuda cruises from Charleston.

The 16 Bermuda voyages — the most the line has ever offered — will encompass a variety of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises from April through November.

“Bermuda is one of the world’s most desirable cruise destinations, and offering three different cruise lengths from four East Coast homeports provides our guests an unprecedented variety of choices for visiting this beautiful island paradise,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Carnival’s 2011 Bermuda departures include:

Baltimore (seven-day cruises on Carnival Pride) – April 10 and 17, Sept. 18, Oct. 2 and Nov. 6
New York (seven- and eight-day departures on Carnival Miracle) – April 14 and 21, and Sept. 11 and 27
Norfolk (six-day sailing on Carnival Glory) – Oct. 16
Charleston, S.C. (six-day voyages on Carnival Fantasy) – April 23, May 19, June 16, Aug. 25, Sept. 15 and Oct. 6

Reservations are currently open for the six Charleston departures with the line’s other Bermuda cruises expected to be open over the next few weeks.

All 16 voyages will dock at King’s Wharf, and while in Bermuda guests can sample the island’s many fine restaurants, shops and boutiques, and visit a number of interesting sites and landmarks. Six-day voyages will offer two-day calls at King’s Wharf while seven- and eight-day cruises will feature three-day visits.

During their visit to Bermuda, guests can relax on the island’s legendary pink sand beaches and partake in a wide variety of watersports, including snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving. Shore excursions visiting historic sites such as the Royal Naval Dockyard and Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere, also are available.

Through Carnival’s golf program, guests also can hit the links and play the island’s most challenging and beautiful courses.