Bills Cruise Travel

08/11/2024

Here is the latest Bills Cruise newsletter fresh off the press.

Bills Cruise Travel

Hello everyone,
This newsletter we will talk about,
• my resent trip and cruise from the west coast
• Two upcoming cruises
• And cruises beyond 2025

A few weeks ago, I was invited to cruise on the Carnival Firenze (Carnival Fun Italian Style). out of Long Beach California. I know it’s scary that they actually got me on an airplane for 6 hours and flew to the west coast. This was a first for me. If you know me, I will drive, take a train, or boat somewhere rather than fly, but I did it and survived……
The flight to LAX was uneventful, I highly recommend flying in to port a day or two before any cruise and enjoy the sights of the home ports. Not lonely will you get to relax a little before your cruise, you can also see some of the local attractions in the area. In our case, we arrived the day before the cruise and stayed abord the M/S Queen Mary, now a floating hotel in Long Beach Ca. See my web page (www.Billscruisetravel.com) for pictures of this magnificent hotel/ship.
The employees and all the staff including the captain are dressed in era like uniforms, making you feel like you are actually cruising on the ship instead of a permanently moored ship. There is plenty to do on board from eating, visiting one of the many bars on board to just sitting and relaxing on deck in one of the many deck chairs. The ship also offers both guided and self-guided tours of the vessel. On weekends (Friday, though Sunday) they offer complimentary bus service to and from downtown Long Beach. For those who are adventurous, because of the crazy LA drivers you can get sightseeing tours of Hollywood and LA from the port.
On the day of sailing the Queen Mary offers complimentary golfcart service to the Carnival ship. It is a great way to get to the cruise terminal.
The Carnival Firenze is a Vista Class ship that Carnival Cruise Lines has acquired along with her sister Carnival Venezia from its sister company Costa Cruise lines. While the ship livery is carnival, she maintains the Costa Cruise Lines Funnel not the Carnival Whales tale. Inside she is a Vista class ship in layout (for those who have cruised on the Vista class ships) and yes, they corrected some of the issues that the Carnival Vista has. However, that is where the similarities end. She is truly an Italian ship through and through. From her restaurants to her bars, to the Lido deck pool. Even David, the enormous sculpture that was in the Carnival Prides Steak House now resides on one of the dining rooms on board the Firenze, fig leaf and all. She has the feeling that you are in Firenze Italy, the location in Italy she is named for. The ships décor is everything Italian. Including the names if the bars and Restaurants. I had the pleasure of eating amazing food two nights in the Il Viaggio’s Italian Restaurant. Another on board feature is Bonsai Teppanyaki which is a Japanese style restaurant where the food is cooked in front of you.
When we sailed on her she was doing (7-day Mexican Rivira cruises) for the Carnival Panorama who was in Japan for Drydock. The “Love Boat Cruise” visits Mazatlán, Porta Vieta, and Cabo San Lucas. 3 wonderful places to visit. I will discuss them in a later newsletter. Up can see pictures of these locations and of the Carnival Firenze on my website www.Billscruisetravel.com/photos

Up Coming Cruises
We have two upcoming group cruises. First is the 7-day Piano Barbarians cruise departing Jan. 25, 2025, from Port Canaveral, FL. on the Carnival ship Mardi Gras visiting Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and Nassau.
The second is a 10-day Alaskan cruise departing from San Fransisco on Aug 4 2025 on the Carnival Legend.

Piano Barbarians Cruise
This cruise is for Piano bar lovers. This is a group cruise that invites 3 additional piano bar players on board the ship along with the Piano bar player who works on the ship. one extra perk of this cruise is extra time in the piano bar, 1-hour private time before the piano bar opens to the public, thus getting the choice seats before everyone else, also when the on-board piano bar player is off during his or her break our guest players continue with the fun. An additional perk is the nights that the piano bar is dark (players’ night off) we had the entire bar to ourselves. as a private function. This year we have the legendary Ben Gentry who will be on board the Mardi Gras as the resident piano bar player, the three additional pb players, Elden Parker, Bob Berhalter, and Vince Strong will also be entertaining you for the week. If you wish not to be part of the group or not to book with one of our Cruise specialists or want to use your own Travel advisor you can join us, however we ask you to contact me for specifics.

10 Day Alaska group cruise.
This 10-day cruise departing San Fransisco, CA will feature stops at Juneau, AL, Skagway, AL and Ketchikan Al, Prince Rupert BC, and a special day sail through Tracys Arm Fjord. Sail under the Golden Gate bridge and see all the amazing sights this cruise has to offer. For more information and pricing please feel free to contact me.

Cruises beyond 2025
Carnival Cruise Lines has opened cruises on most of their ships through spring of 2027. So, if there is a special cruise you have always wanted to do, now is the time to book. Are you interested in a repositioning from the east coast to the west coast through the Panama Canal? Maybe a repositioning cruise form Port Canaveral to New York? Or maybe just a longer cruise on a different ship? There are a lot of amazing cruises scheduled. Now is the time to book while prices are at their lowest.


Remember to check out my New and improved website that is coming soon.
Speaking of coming soon, in the next newsletter I will be highlighting several cruise ship home ports, including Mobile AL, Port Canaveral, and Galveston TX. Be sure to watch for this newsletter. You can also follow the current happenings on my page at Bill Cruise travel.
Remember if you are interested in any cruise line besides Carnival, I can book that for you too. I can also book hotel stays in various home ports.

Bye for now and have a Funtastic day. And remember Travel Advisors Rock !

Let's book the cruise vacation of your dreams!

25/02/2024

the latest newsletter
Hello everyone, and welcome to February! The Ground hog didn’t see his shadow so that means spring is right around the corner. It also means that it is wave season. This is when you will get the best rates of the year for cruises. So, this is a good time to book your next cruise.
Read on to see funtastic highlights of two different cruises that will be a lot of fun.
But first, I have some exciting news! I am honored to announce that I have been named a Travel Agent Ambassador by Carnival Cruise lines. I am one of a group of 12 Travel Agents from around the country who have exemplified a passion for and knowledge of Carnival Cruise Lines and the travel industry. Amongst some of my duties I will be attending special events as a Travel Agent Ambassador. One of these events is the naming ceremony for the Carnival Jubilee in Galveston Tx, later this month. I will have lots of pictures and videos on Bills Cruise travel page as well as my website Billscruisetravel.com.

Up Coming Cruise Highlights
Piano barbarians 2025 cruise (January 25, 2025) this will be a 7 day sailing on the Carnival Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral, Fl. The ship will be visiting the Ports of Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Amber cove in the Dominican Republic, and Nassau in the Bahamas. This is not your ordinary cruise either. The Paino Barbarians is a group of piano bar enthusiasts that get together and cruise on a different ship every year. We bring on multiple talented piano bar players who; play during our private time in the Piano Bar every night, and for the entire night that the Piano Bar is generally dark. This past year we had three fabulous players on board and for the first time ever we have this trio of talent all confirmed for 2025. This will be a cruise to remember. Space is limited and cabins are selling fast so act soon.

The next cruise to highlight is a 10-day Alaskan cruise sailing on August 4, 2025 from San Fransico CA. on the Carnival Legend visiting Juneau, Skagway, Cruising Tracy arm Fjord, Ketchikan Ak, and Prince Rupert BC. This will be a fantastic cruise that is sure to sell out. I will be on board both of these cruises and would love to see you on board. If you are interested in either of these special cruises, please reach out to me as soon as possible. These cruises have limited group space so act quickly.
We are working on group hotel rates for both of these cruises so please stay tuned.

In other Carnival News, Carnival Cruise lines has announced a fourth Excel – class ship for 2027.
From Carnival Corp Press release
Joining current Carnival Cruise Line Excel-class ships Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, the new 180,000-ton ship will carry over 6,400 guests and be powered on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology platform. This new ship is the first newbuild order placed by Carnival Corporation in five years.
“Our Excel class ships have been a tremendous addition to the Carnival fleet and proven very popular with our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “As the world’s most popular cruise line, this new ship enables us to continue the growth of our incredible fleet as we welcome our loyal guests back to cruise more frequently and attract new-to-cruise guests to experience all that a Carnival cruise has to offer.”
This promises to be an exciting new ship. Stay tuned for the announcement of the name and homeport of this ship.
Carnival has also announced the creation of a new destination exclusively for Carnival Cruise lines called Celebration Key
From the carnival Cruise lines press release about the different areas of Celebration Key, on Grand Bahamas Island also known as Freeport Bahamas.
New Details Give First Look at Five Portals
• The Welcome Portal is the point where guests are first immersed in the beauty of the destination and greeted with information to help guide them toward their own kind of fun. As live music fills the air, a much-larger-than-life sandcastle stands tall in the center of Celebration Key as the embodiment of all that is fun in the sun.
• The Family-Friendly Portal is the place for families with kids of all ages to enjoy their time at Celebration Key. The day can include swimming in the large freshwater lagoon, alongside a splash pad with a shallow pool, two exciting racing waterslides in the large sandcastle, sports courts, spaces designed for kids and teens to enjoy, a beautiful beach with all types of beach loungers and a variety of cabana rentals, including beach cabanas, villas with personal slides into the lagoon and floating cabanas. There are not only activities for the whole family, but also a variety of dining options and cuisines, that will appeal to all taste buds.
• The Adult-Friendly Portal is designed for adults looking to spend their day enjoying the freshwater lagoon or at the beach lounging on the warm white sands and splashing around in the Bahamian waters to kick back and relax. Guests can also find their favorite cocktails at a large swim-up bar while they enjoy a high energy vibe curated by a talented DJ. A variety of cabana rentals, including beach cabanas, villas with personal slides into the lagoon and floating cabanas are available. There are also several dining venues, including a full-service restaurant that will offer a variety of cuisines, including local Bahamian flavors.
• The Private Club Portal is a premium experience curated for those who are seeking a relaxing and luxurious day in paradise. The private club is an adult-only retreat, with a stunning infinity pool, overlooking the best views of the Bahamian waters, with loungers swaying beneath palm trees and vibrant foliage. A dedicated section of the beach provides premier and private access, along with elevated dining experiences.
• The Retail Portal will showcase Bahamian culture, featuring a backdrop of beautiful murals painted by Bahamian artists and shopping that will include authentic Bahamian artisanal goods and local Bahamian retailers, along with Duty-Free stores. As they explore this portal, guests will also find several food and beverage options serving Bahamian flavors.

I will have more about this fantastic new stop on over 500 Itineraries opening in July of 2025 so please stay tuned.

That’s all for now.
Remember there are several reasons why you should book with a travel agent:
1. Peace of mind: A travel agent offers expertise and knowledge to put together your ideal holiday.
2. Get the best possible fare: Often, travel agents can save you money based on their supplier relationships -- or at least match the price you find -- while saving you time and effort.
3. Find your perfect cruise: A travel agent can help you find the perfect cruise for you.
4. Tailor-make a bespoke cruise: A travel agent can help you tailor-make a bespoke cruise.
5. Customer service: A travel agent can provide customer service and support throughout your trip.

24/02/2024

Waiting to board for my tour of the carnival jubilee

24/01/2024

See the carnival Pride pass through the Panama canal today between 9-930 EST here

Site Description Here

07/11/2023

Bill's Alaska group cruise
Come join us on a 10-day fun-filled cruise to Alaska, sailing from San Francisco, Ca. on board the Carnival Legend. The ship will be visiting the Ports of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan Alaska, and Prince Rupert BC, as well as spending the day cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord, before returning to San Francisco CA. This cruise Departs Aug 4.2025
Cabin prices start at*
(4A) interior cabin $899.00*
(6A) Ocean View $1189.00*
(8A) balcony $1639.00*
Please contact Bills Cruise Travel for more information.
Please reference group number Z9V8K0
*Cabin prices are per person Double occupancy and will vary depending on the cabin location and number of people in the cabin.

Bills Cruise travel

Let's book the cruise vacation of your dreams!

28/07/2023

July Cruise newsletter
Hello everyone and welcome back to Bills Cruise Travel Newsletter. I recently had the opportunity to visit 2 ships. I am excited to share my findings with you.
First off was the Carnival Venezia in NY.
In June, I was invited to her Naming Ceremony, which occurred in her new home Port of New York City. However, it was not a true Naming Ceremony, as she already has a Godmother, so Carnival decided to give her a Godfather. And who else was worthy of the title, none other than Jay Leno. In his true spirit, he entertained everyone from start to finish. More on that in a later newsletter.
As for the Carnival Venezia, she is a Vista class ship with a truly Italian style. She is beautifully Italian inspired looks. It starts with the Venice -inspired Atrium, with its white and gold features, and continues throughout the ship with many Italian Flavor restaurants including “Guys Burger” (Guys Burger with an Italian flavor.) There are of course the normal Carnival Favorites such as Piano Bar 88 Keys, Serenity Deck and Bar, as well as Camp Oceans for the kids.
The one bar that caught my attention was the Heroes Bar that is a tribute to the Armed Forces of the US and Canada and the men and women that served and protected us. I have heard of these bars on the Carnival Freedom, Mardi Gras, Celebration and Jubilee. However, this was the first time I was actually able to see one in person. Please see my pictures on Facebook at Bills cruise travel and on my website Billscruisetravel.com.
The cabins are pretty much the same as on any Vista class ship and are well appropriated. The Terrazza Staterooms (called Havana cabins on other Carnival ships) have added their own flair to them. The Terrazza Suites have something special added to them; a pair of Binoculars free for the guest to use while on board, a great idea as I have often forgotten to bring with me. Another great feature is that ether is a Hamock on the terrace outside. These cabins are like their counterparts on the other carnival ships that have Havana class cabins. Including the terraces, and private pool areas, as well as its own breakfast and lunch area.
The hallways have a deep rich woodgrain theme. We were able to view several categories of cabins while on board and will post these pictures in the same location as the others online.
The Carnival Venezia is currently sailing 4-, 5-, 7,8- and 13-day cruises out of New York to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Caribbean areas. For more details contact us at Bills Cruise Travel.

The other ship I was able to visit, and actually take a cruise on, (yes, I do sell other cruise lines other than Carnival and I do check them out occasionally,) was the MSC Meraviglia I took a 7-day cruise out of NYC. I boarded at the Brooklyn cruise terminal, and anyone who has sailed from NY will tell you that both Brooklyn and Manhattan cruise terminals are nothing like those at their sister home ports of Florida. If you decide to sail from Brooklyn, I suggest that you arrive early and plan on a late afternoon flight out as the traffic in the area is bad and can take several hours just to reach the check-in areas. And when you are leaving it can take several hours just to get a cab or Uber to the airport.
Having heard of the issues, I arrived early and found check in for the cruise was just like the other cruise lines, with priority boarding for those who are Platinum and Diamond status, Please note that MSC does match loyalty to other cruise lines loyalty programs and offers similar amenities to carnival. Once on board I found the ship to be similar to other cruise ships that I have sailed on, it’s a similar size to a Vista Class Carnaval ship. The cabins (I had a Small Cove balcony like cabin) that are a little smaller in size than the Carnival cabins. The bathroom, although very nice, was designed for a smaller statue of a person. MSC does have a higher class of state room called Yacht Club. My understanding is these are like the Rockstar cabins on Virgin cruises where you pay more for the cabin and in return you get more such as a private pool area for Yacht Club passengers and a dining area that is for those cabins exclusively and much more. For more information about MSC’s Yacht Club please contact us, we will be happy to tell you more.
There are several clubs and night clubs on the ship that are scattered around. As for entertainment, you need to make a reservation to see one of the ships Broadway type shows, and the specialty type shows have to be paid for. On my cruise they had a circus type show that was available for an extra cost. The Casino is on the small side and unlike other ships you don’t have to pass through it to get to the rest of the promenade deck. The promenade Deck forward has some interesting things to see, such as a digital screen in the ceiling playing all sorts of different scenes throughout the cruise. There is a chocolate bar where the chocolate specialist makes different sculptures out of chocolate. They also sell different types of chocolate that are made onboard the ship.
There are a lot of specialty restaurants on board. It has everything from a steak house to a Taco Bar, to a Teppanyaki and Suchi restaurant, to a seafood restaurant to the Market Place Buffett. Everything except the Market Place Buffett is an extra cost of $48.00 and advance reservations are suggested. The ship visited the ports of Port Canaveral, Nassau in the Bahamas and MSC’s Private Island Ocean Cay. As most private islands go it is a typical private island.
MSC uses chip technology on their sail and sign cards, no more swiping of the cards at the bars and to get into your cabin just touch the card on the door. The same technology works on their private island at the cars and restaurants there.
MSC is also using Facial Recognition technology in the Port of NY so disembarkation is a breeze if you use self carry off.

For more information about MSC and Carnaval cruise lines please feel free to reach out Bills Cruise Travel and speak to me, your Cruise specialist. I would be happy to help you out. Remember you do not have to pay your travel agent to book your cruise or your hotel rooms for your cruise.

14/01/2023

Bills Cruise Travel
Happy New Year and welcome back to Bill’s Cruise Travel Newsletter.

In this issue,
• Bills Cruise travel exciting happenings
• Bills Cruise Travel Web page
• Carnival Cruise lines
• ship updates Price increases
• New Cruise line Virgin Voyages

Hello everyone, yes that s right Bills Cruise Travel has made some exciting changes since the last newsletter. As of Nov 1st, I moved to the town of Holden. My address is now 6 John St Holden Ma 01520. Everything else has remained the same.
Also, I am excited to introduce you to Bills Cruise Travel’s new webpage. Follow the link to www.billscruisetravel.com. This is brand new and is still a work in progress, I will have the latest sales and news from many cruise lines all in one location. This webpage is for you- feel free to offer suggestions and leave comments!

Carnival Ship updates
Well, a lot has changed over the past several months as the cruise industry has emerged from the Pandemic. First and foremost, the reduction of ships. All but two of the Fantasy Class ships have been scrapped. Only Paradise in Tampa, and Elation in Jacksonville remain. Many ships have moved to different ports and Carnival has introduced several new ships to the fleet: The Mardi Gras and the Carnival Celebration. They also brought two ships from Costa Cruise Lines, the Carnival Luminosa, and the Carnival Venezia. Both ships will bring the Italian Flavor of Costa Cruise lines to America. The Carnival Luminosa (a spirit class ship) will sail itineraries from Seattle to Alaska in the summer and in the winter will reposition to Australia. The Alaska itineraries include 7- and 8-day cruises visiting, Icy Straight Point, Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Victoria BC.
The Carnival Venezia is a Vista-class ship that will be operating out of New York City year-round and offers 4-, 5-, 7-, 8-, and 15-day cruises to Canada and the eastern Caribbean as well as Bermuda and the Bahamas.
The next ship to debut is the Carnival Jubilee which will be homeported in Galveston TX. Completion of this ship has been delayed in the shipyards due to supply shortages. I will have more information on her in a later newsletter.

Carnival Price increase
Carnival Cruise Lines has decided to raise the price for onboard internet services and the cost of gratuities. Here is the announcement:
January 3, 2023

Dear Carnival Guest,

We are writing to let you know that we will be adjusting internet prices and onboard gratuity guidelines with all cruises based on the schedule below. However, we will honor existing prices for pre-paid internet purchases and pre-paid gratuities, per the dates outlined below.
Internet prices – effective with embarkations January 16, 2023
- Social: $12.75, per day
- Value: $17, per day
- Premium: $18.70, per day

Gratuity guidelines – effective with embarkations on April 1, 2023
- Standard staterooms: $16, per guest, per day
- Suites: $18, per guest, per day
Remember there is still time to save. You may pre-pay your gratuities and pre-purchase internet at the current rates as follows:

Internet prices – purchased before January 16, 2023
- Social: $10.20, per day
- Value: $14.45, per day
- Premium: $17, per day

Gratuity guidelines – purchased before April 1, 2023
- Standard staterooms: $14.50, per guest, per day
- Suites: $16.50, per guest, per day

Just a side note, Carnival Is one of the last cruise lines to increase these costs. And in doing so has brought the cruise line in line with other cruise lines. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Introducing Virgin Voyages
As many of you know I have been a staunch Carnival Cruiser (32 Carnival Cruises). I had the opportunity last fall to sail on the Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages' new (at the time) ship. Let me tell you it doesn’t let you down. In addition to the many amazing amenities on board, it is an adult-only cruise line. No one under the age of 21 is allowed.
Sir Richard Branson has changed the way things are done on board cruise ships, from entertainment to dining to tipping and the results are incredible and enjoyable, to say the least.
For more information on this new cruise line and the new ships, I will be having a virtual cruise night to introduce Virgin and the Virgin way of cruising. Look for a special email to register for this free event.
Thank you for spending this time with Bills Cruise Travel. Look for this newsletter every month with updates for you on cruise news and new ships.

Until next month,
Happy sailing!

Bill Collins
Bills Cruise travel
[email protected]
www.billscruisetravel.com

Let's book the cruise vacation of your dreams!

05/04/2022

direct from Carnival, Please note that if you have already [paid for any of these they will not go up
Bill


Dear Travel Partner,

We have an important update for you and your clients. Effective with all cruises departing on or after May 1, 2022, we are making adjustments to our recommended onboard gratuity guidelines, as follows:

• Standard staterooms: $14.50, per person, per day (currently $13.99)
• Suites: $16.50, per person, per day (currently $15.99)

These amounts are automatically added to your client's onboard Sail & Sign® account as a convenience. However, while onboard, your clients are free to adjust gratuities at their discretion. No adjustments will be made after the cruise.

Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional and friendly service, so we hope you and your clients will agree that this slight increase is well deserved.

Your clients may pre-pay their gratuities at the current rates, and save on other onboard services, by accessing My Cruise Manager.

Please note, If you have a client booked on a Carnival Cruise Line sailing from
May 1, 2022 onward, and we have that guest’s email contact, we have also sent them a letter to advise them of this change.



Again, thank you for your continued support. We are looking forward to seeing you and your clients on board soon.

Sincerely,
Carnival Cruise Line

11/03/2022

Want to get away to somewhere warm next winter?
Ever want to see the Panama Canal?
Now’s Your Chance!
Sailing from Tampa Fl on the Carnival Pride for a fabulous 8-day cruise departing February 4, 2023

Sat Tampa 04:00 PM
Sun Fun Day At Sea
Mon Fun Day At Sea
Tue Limón 11:00 AM 07:00 PM
Wed Panama Canal Partial Transit
Thu Fun Day At Sea
Fri Grand Cayman 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Sat Fun Day At Sea
Sun Tampa 08:00 AM

Prices starting
interior Cabins start at $799.00
Ocean View cabins start at $949.00
Balcony Cabins start at $1149.00
All prices are Double occupancy, plus port taxes and fees

Contact Bills Cruise travel for more details reference group booking number J70JS4
Bills cruise travel, 508-450-6179

11/01/2022

Hello everyone!! Looking for a great cruise in 2023?? I have a group going on the Carnival Legend Nov 5,2023 From Baltimore MD. 14 Days scheduled to visit, the beautiful islands of St Thomas St Maarten, St. Kitts, Grand Turk, Curacao, and Aruba.
Email me at [email protected] or call 508-450-6179. Sale ends Jan. 31.2022

11/01/2022

24/12/2021

Merry Christmas and Happy New year everyone. the office will be closed from Dec 24,2021 until Jan. 3 2022I will be available via email at [email protected] or through FB if you really need to book a cruise. thank you and have a fantastic day

27/11/2021

interested in booking call now 508-450-6179

25/11/2021

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Have a fantastic day. Please remember that we are closed for the holiday.
Bill

13/11/2021

Hello everyone.
Here is an update from Carnival regarding Vaccinations through March 31, 2022
Any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or on the phone at 508-450-6179. Please remember to leave a message if I don’t answer. (Very busy lately and can’t answer every call Thx)

GUEST OPERATIONS UPDATE – SAILINGS JANUARY TROUGH MARCH 31, 2022
November 11, 2021

Dear Carnival Guest:

Last month we announced our plans to operate vaccinated voyages through February 2022 and we are writing to share that we will continue to operate with the same protocols that we’ve had in place through the end of March 2022. Our vaccinated voyages continue to operate very successfully, and our guests continue to express great satisfaction with our onboard experience, while enjoying a safe and memorable vacation.

The following ships through March 31, 2022, will operate as vaccinated cruises (including your cruise), adhering to the current vaccination, testing, and mask requirements (including for children 5-11 years old, as referenced below) and the limited vaccine exemption process which we are following today.

With the resumption of service of Carnival Sensation, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Paradise by the end of March, our entire U.S.-based fleet will have returned to guest operations.

• Galveston: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream and Carnival Vista
• Miami: Carnival Freedom, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Conquest
• Port Canaveral: Mardi Gras, Carnival Elation, Carnival Magic and Carnival Liberty
• New Orleans: Carnival Glory and Carnival Valor
• Long Beach: Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance and Carnival Miracle
• Baltimore: Carnival Legend
• Tampa: Carnival Pride and Carnival Paradise (effective Mar. 12)
• Charleston: Carnival Sunshine
• Mobile: Carnival Sensation (effective Mar. 5)
• Jacksonville: Carnival Ecstasy (effective Mar. 7)
We also want to update guests on the vaccine exemption process given that U.S. health officials have now approved the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines for children ages 5-11, with vaccinations already commencing last week. We have managed an exemption process for a small number of guests who have been ineligible for vaccines for sailings through December 2021 and this process will continue for the sailings referenced above. We are opening the exemption process for cruises through March 2022 and, should you meet the criteria for a vaccine exemption, the electronic request form can be accessed here.

Given our experience with sailings in previous months, the number of exemptions we have been able to grant is far fewer than the requests we received. While the decision to vaccinate children is obviously a personal one, if you are a family with children ages 5-11 and want to guarantee your ability to sail together, we encourage you to consider your vaccination options. To meet the definition of “fully vaccinated,” please keep in mind the three-week interval between doses and the two weeks following the final dose. On embarkation day, a minimum of 15 days must have passed since the final dose.

Prior to approving exemptions, we must confirm the total number of vaccinated guests we have on each sailing to determine the allowable number of unvaccinated children under the age of 12. This means we will be unable to finalize exemption approvals until much closer to sailing and, at that point, it may be too late to get your children fully vaccinated in time for your cruise.

With the approval of vaccines for children ages 5-11, our Camp Ocean program will be re-opening, on a modified basis, on sailings departing as of December 10, 2021. Based on the advice of our medical advisors, Camp Ocean will be limited only to fully vaccinated children.

Along with the vaccination requirements, all vaccinated guests must bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test administered within two days of embarkation and adhere to mask requirements in indoor areas of the ship. These protocols have provided for a healthy and safe environment for our guests and crew, and our guests continue to rate their experience on board with very high marks.

Please visit our Have Fun. Be Safe page on carnival.com for complete information on all our health and safety protocols, including testing, vaccine requirements, masks, travel insurance for unvaccinated guests, etc.

We look forward to welcoming more of our guests on board over the coming weeks.


Sincerely,


Christine Duffy, President
Carnival Cruise Line