Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Industry Travel, Tourism & Hospitality (Cruise Industry)
Founded 1972, by Ted Arison
Headquarters Doral, Florida, United States
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Christine Duffy, President
Products Cruises
Revenue Increase US$10.9 billion (FY 2011)
Increase US$2.3 billion (FY 2011)
Increase US$1.9 billion (FY 2011)
Total assets Increase US$35 billion (FY 2011)
Total equity Increase US$13.4 billion (FY 2011)
Number of employees
 3,900 - Shoreside[1]
33,500 - Shipboard[1]
Parent Carnival Corporation & plc
Website www.carnival.com

Footnotes / references
Largest cruise line in the world, based on passengers carried annually, annual revenue and total number of ships in fleet[1]

Carnival Cruise Line is an American owned cruise line, based in Doral, Florida, a suburb of Miami in the United States.

History

Originally an independent company founded in 1972 by Ted Arison, the company is now one of nine cruise ship brands owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & plc. The company has the largest fleet in the group, with 24 vessels currently in operation that account for 21.1% of the worldwide market share.[2] Executive control of the company is provided by the North American division of Carnival Corporation, headquartered in Doral, Florida.[3][4]

Carnival was a pioneer in the concept of shorter, less expensive cruises. Its ships are known for their Las Vegas-style decor and entertainment. The line calls its ships "The Fun Ships", and there are a wide range of activities offered on board. Its trademark is the funnel, which is red, white and blue and shaped like a whale's tail. The mascot for Carnival is Fun Ship Freddy, a character in the shape of Carnival's distinctive funnel.

In 1996 Carnival Destiny of 101,000 GT became the largest passenger ship in the world at the time and first to exceed 100,000 tons.

In 2001, Robert Dickinson, then CEO, participated in a BBC documentary, Back To The Floor. Dickinson went to work at the lowest crew levels on the Fun Ship MS Imagination on a Carnival cruise in the Caribbean, where he shadowed a Romanian cleaner, Alina.[5]

In 2004, Carnival Corporation ordered for a development program for Carnival's new ships, the Pinnacle Project, calling for a 200,000 GT prototype, which would have been the world's largest cruise ship.[6]

As of 2009, the latest and largest asset in the Carnival fleet was Carnival Dream, a new 128,251 GT ship. Carnival Dream entered service on 21 September 2009. After several voyages in the Mediterranean she was set to offer weekly Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral from 5 December 2009. A sister ship, Carnival Magic, debuted on 1 May 2011. On 1 December 2009 it was announced that Carnival placed an order for a third Dream-class vessel.[7] It entered service in June 2012 and is homeported in Miami.[8] On May 10, 2010, Carnival selected a name for their new Dream-class vessel in 2012; Carnival Breeze.[9]

On 26 October 2012, it was announced that Carnival had ordered a brand new ship for their Carnival Cruise Line brand. This ship will be built by Fincantieri and will be the largest ship they have ever built. It will also be the first of a brand new class of ship with a passenger capacity of 4,000 and a gross tonnage of 135,000. It is scheduled to be delivered in the spring of 2016, nearly four years after Carnival Breeze entered service.[10] The new ship will be named Carnival Vista.[11]


Hurricane Katrina charters

Carnival Ecstasy docked in New Orleans

Three of the Carnival cruise ships were chartered by the United States government for six months to serve as temporary housing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Holiday was originally docked in Mobile, Alabama, and later Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Ecstasy and Sensation were docked at New Orleans, Louisiana. The six-month contract cost $236 million. The contract was widely criticized, because the vessels were never fully utilized, and Carnival received more money than it would have earned by using the ships in their normal rotation.[12]

Controversies

The company has reportedly been paying wages under $1.50 per hour to employees with low-to-nonexistent benefits, such as holidays or minimal vacations.[13] Monthly salaries of the high paid workers is around $1,300. The crew wages are supplemented by gratuities, and one former Carnival crew member cited that crew receive up to 95% of their income from tips.[14] Employees report strenuous working conditions such as 14-hour shifts with no days off. As of October 2013, they are also revoking retirement benefits.[15]

On February 1, 2015, Carnival aired an advertisement during Super Bowl XLIX that invoked biological evolution, causing outrage among creationists.[16]

Carnival Cruise Line headquarters in Doral, Florida

Accidents and incidents

See also Costa Crociere Accidents and incidents for incidents associated with the parent company's other cruise operations.

On September 19, 1999, Carnival Tropicale's engine room caught fire en route from Cozumel to Tampa. While disabled in the Gulf of Mexico, the ship was struck by Tropical Storm Harvey. No crew or guests were injured during the two days Carnival Tropicale spent without propulsion.[17] The ship was later sold and renamed Ocean Dream.

On November 8, 2010, a fire broke out in the generator room of Carnival Splendor and the ship lost most power. The ship was adrift off the west coast of Mexico. The ship was towed to San Diego.[18]

On February 10, 2013, Carnival Triumph, with 3,143 passengers aboard, suffered an engine room fire, leaving the ship adrift for four days in the Gulf of Mexico.[19] The ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama, docking on the evening of February 14.[20][21] In subsequent litigation, Carnival documents were uncovered that revealed multiple generator maintenance problems creating a "disaster waiting to happen." In response, Carnival's court filing takes the position that the contract that passengers agree to when they buy a ticket "makes absolutely no guarantee for safe passage, a seaworthy vessel, adequate and wholesome food, and sanitary and safe living conditions."[22]

On March 14, 2013, Carnival Dream experienced an emergency generator failure while docked in port at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. The ship was scheduled to leave port around 5 p.m. ET the day before. The United States Coast Guard said they were notified by Carnival that Carnival Dream was experiencing emergency generator problems. Carnival announced that the passengers would be flown back to Florida rather than completing their scheduled voyage.[23]

On the morning of March 15, 2013, Carnival Legend suffered a mechanical problem with one propulsion pod while at sea. The cruise line cancelled Carnival Legend's scheduled stops in Belize and Grand Cayman, and the ship returned to Tampa, Florida at a reduced speed of 19 knots (22 mph) (Legend has a regular cruising speed of 24 knots).[24][25][26]

On December 27, 2015, an electrician who had been working on one of the Carnival Ecstasy passenger elevators was killed in an accident.[27]


Ships

Current fleet

Ship Class Year
Built 		Sailed for
Carnival 		Gross Tonnage Home Port Flag Notes Image
Carnival Dream Dream 2009 2009–Present 130,000 GT[28] New Orleans, Louisiana  Panama The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until Carnival Magic
Carnival Magic Dream 2011 2011–Present 130,000 GT[29] Galveston, Texas launch - April 2016
Port Canaveral, Florida May 2016 - 		 Panama The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze Dream 2012 2012–Present 130,000 GT[30] Miami, Florida launch - May 8, 2016
Galveston, Texas May 8, 2016 - 		 Panama Currently the largest ship built for Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor Concordia 2008 2008–Present 113,323 GT[28] Miami, Florida  Panama Referred to as a Splendor-class ship, was originally designed for Costa Cruises as Costa Splendor, but the Carnival Splendor was transferred to Carnival Cruise Line during construction and is essentially a modified version of the Concordia-class ships.
Carnival Conquest Conquest 2002 2002–Present 110,239 GT Fort Lauderdale, Florida  Panama
Carnival Glory Conquest 2003 2003–Present 110,239 GT Miami, Florida  Panama
Carnival Valor Conquest 2004 2004–Present 110,239 GT Port Canaveral, Florida  Panama
Carnival Liberty Conquest 2005 2005–Present 110,320 GT San Juan, Puerto Rico - March 6, 2016
Galveston, Texas March 6, 2016 -		  Panama
Carnival Freedom Conquest 2007 2007–Present 110,320 GT Galveston, Texas  Panama
Carnival Spirit Spirit 2001 2001–Present 85,920 GT Sydney, Australia  Malta Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Pride Spirit 2001 2002–Present 88,500 GT Baltimore, Maryland[31]  Panama Built to Panamax form factor, Former Flagship for Carnival
Carnival Legend Spirit 2002 2002–Present 85,942 GT Seattle, Washington May 2015 - September 2015
Sydney, Australia September 2015 - 		 Panama Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Miracle Spirit 2004 2004–Present 85,942 GT Long Beach, California[32]  Panama Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Sunshine Destiny 1996 (As Carnival Destiny)
2013 (As Carnival Sunshine) 		1996–Present 102,853 GT Port Canaveral, Florida  Bahamas Originally sailed as Carnival Destiny from 1996 to 2013.
World's largest passenger ship (measured by gross tonnage), when built.
First cruise ship over 100,000 GT. Carnival now identifies the Sunshine as the only member of Sunshine Class. The first ship in the fleet to receive all Funship 2.0 amenities.
Carnival Triumph Destiny 1999 1999–Present 101,509 GT Galveston, Texas launch - April 2016
New Orleans, Louisiana April 2016 - 		 Bahamas Modified Destiny-class.
On February 14, 2013 the ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama for repairs after an engine room fire and resumed service on June 13, 2013, almost 4 months after being out of service.
Carnival Victory Destiny 2000 2000–Present 101,509 GT Miami, Florida launch - February 15, 2016
Port Canaveral, Florida February 25, 2016 - October 30, 2016
Miami, Florida November 2016 - 		 Panama Modified Destiny-class
Carnival Paradise Fantasy 1998 1998–Present 70,390 GT Tampa, Florida  Panama Originally, Paradise
Carnival Elation Fantasy 1998 1998–Present 70,390 GT New Orleans, Louisiana launch - April 2016
Jacksonville, Florida April 2016 - 		 Panama Originally, Elation
Carnival Inspiration Fantasy 1996 1996–Present 70,367 GT Long Beach, California  Bahamas Originally, Inspiration
Carnival Imagination Fantasy 1995 1995–Present 70,367 GT Long Beach, California  Bahamas Originally, Imagination
Carnival Fascination Fantasy 1994 1994–Present 70,538 GT Jacksonville, Florida launch - April 2016
San Juan, Puerto Rico April 2016 -
  Bahamas Originally, Fascination
Carnival Sensation Fantasy 1993 1993–Present 70,538 GT Port Canaveral, Florida launch - February 21, 2016
Miami, Florida February 25, 2016 - 		 Bahamas Originally, Sensation
Carnival Ecstasy Fantasy 1991 1991–Present 70,526 GT Miami, Florida launch - February 5, 2016
Charleston, South Carolina February 6, 2016 - 		 Panama originally, Ecstasy
Carnival Fantasy Fantasy 1990 1990–present 70,367 GT Charleston, South Carolina launch - February 6, 2016
Miami, Florida February 17, 2016 - November 2016
Mobile, Alabama November 9, 2016 - November 27, 2017 		 Panama Originally, Fantasy

Notes

Future fleet

Ship Year
Built 		Will sail for
Carnival 		Gross Tonnage Home Port Flag Notes Image
Carnival Vista 2016 2016 133,500 GT Barcelona, Spain/Athens, Greece/Trieste, Italy (May–October 2016)
New York, New York (October–November 2016)
Miami, Florida (November 29, 2016 and on)		  Panama The soon-to-be-largest ship ever built by Fincantieri for Carnival Cruise Line.
TBA 2018 2018 133,500 GT TBA  Panama Sister to the Carnival Vista.

Carnival Corporation & plc announced on October 26, 2012, that Carnival had ordered a new ship for their Carnival Cruise Line brand. This ship, built by Fincantieri, will be the largest vessel in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.[10] The ship has been named Carnival Vista, and it will be the first of a new class of cruise ships with a passenger capacity of 4,000 and a gross tonnage of 135,000.[33][34] It is scheduled to be delivered in the spring of 2016.[10]

Former fleet

Ship Class Year
Built 		Sailed for
Carnival 		Gross Tonnage Flag Notes Image
Mardi Gras Empress 1961 1972–1993 27,284 GT  Panama Also known as Empress of Canada, Olympic, Star of Texas, Lucky Star, Apollo, and Apollon. Scrapped in 2003.
Carnivale Empress 1956 1975–1993 31,500 GT  Panama Also known as Empress of Britain, Queen Anna Maria, Fiesta Marina, Olympic, and The Topaz. Sold for scrap in 2008.
Festivale Festivale 1962 1977–1996 32,697 GT  Panama Also known as Transvaal Castle, S.A. Vaal, Island Breeze, and Big Red Boat III. Sold for scrap in 2003.
Tropicale Tropicale 1982 1982–2001 36,674 GT  Liberia Was Carnival's first purpose-built ship. Also known as Costa Tropicale, and Pacific Star. Now known as Ocean Dream in May 2008.
Holiday Holiday 1985 1985–2009 46,051 GT Madeira,  Portugal In 2009 Holiday became the Grand Holiday for Iberocruceros. Now sails with Cruise & Maritime Voyages as the Magellan.
Jubilee Holiday 1986 1986–2004 47,262 GT  Liberia In 2004 Jubilee became the Pacific Sun for P&O Cruises Australia, Now sails for HNA Cruises as Henna.
Celebration Holiday 1987 1987–2008 47,262 GT Madeira,  Portugal In 2008 Celebration became the Grand Celebration for Iberocruceros, Now sails for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line.

Restaurants

Restaurants on board Carnival ships include Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, Carnival Steakhouses, Cucina Del Capitano, Mongolian Wok, Guy's Burger Joint, Pizza Stations, Tandoor Kitchen, Taste Bar, Chef's Kitchen, Dining Rooms, Red Frog Pub, BlueIguana Cantina, Carnival Deli, Java Blue, Shake Spot, and Starbucks.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Carnival Cruise Lines Fact Sheet. Carnival Cruise Lines. Retrieved 31 May 2010
  2. ↑ "2012 World Wide Market Share". Cruise Market Watch. 2011-11-20.
  3. ↑ "Corporate Address." Carnival Cruise Line. Retrieved on January 9, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Map of the City of Doral." City of Doral. Retrieved on January 9, 2010
  5. ↑ "BBC - Adam Curtis - We're all in the same boat — aren't we?". 31 January 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  6. ↑ Fincantieri signs a five ship, 2.6 billion dollar agreement with Carnival Group. Press Release. Fincantiei. 23 September 2004. Retrieved 10 May 2010
  7. ↑ "Wärtsilä to power new cruise vessel of Carnival Corporation".
  8. ↑ "New 128,000-ton Cruise Ship Ordered for Carnival Corporation & plc's Carnival Cruise Line Unit". Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  9. ↑ "Carnival Cruise Lines' new 128,000-ton ship to be named Carnival Breeze". Cruise Industry News. May 10, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 "Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line Order New Ships - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  11. ↑ Sloan, Gene (July 20, 2013). "Next Carnival ship to be called Carnival Vista". USA Today. Retrieved Aug 4, 2013.
  12. ↑ $236 Million Cruise Ship Deal Criticized — The Washington Post, September 28, 2005
  13. ↑ "P&O cruise ship staff paid basic salary of 75p an hour". The Guardian. September 29, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Q&A: Cruise Confidential Author on the Life of a Crewmember". Cruise Critic. December 22, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Carnival Cruises Lines Terminates Crew Member Retirement Benefits". Cruise Law News. October 23, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Carnival Corporation's Superbowl [sic] Advert Kicks up a Storm With Creationists". Cruise.co.uk News. February 2, 2015.
  17. ↑ Danielson, Richard (February 23, 2000). "Cruise captain feared panic". St. Petersburg Times.
  18. ↑ "Rescue Under Way for Disabled Carnival Splendor". CBS News. November 10, 2010.
  19. ↑ Martin, Hugo (February 12, 2013). "Carnival Triumph cruise ship adrift; long lines for toilets, food". Los Angeles Times.
  20. ↑ "Feces, water reported on floor of disabled Carnival cruise ship in Gulf of Mexico". Fox News. February 12, 2013.
  21. ↑ Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (February 14, 2013). "Carnival Triumph, crippled cruise ship, finally reaches port". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  22. ↑ Griffin, Drew and Bronstein, Scott (December 17, 2013). "Documents show Carnival knew of fire danger before ill-fated cruise". CNN.
  23. ↑ Lateef Mungin (15 March 2013). "Carnival nightmare: Another cruise ship reports trouble at sea". CNN. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  24. ↑ "Another problem cruise: Second Carnival ship in less than a week experiences trouble at sea". Fox News. March 15, 2013.
  25. ↑ Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (March 15, 2013). "Coast Guard Investigating Carnival Legend". Los Angeles Times.
  26. ↑ Carpenter, Jake; et al. (March 17, 2013). "Carnival Legend back in Florida after week of troubled cruise voyages". CNN.
  27. ↑ Mullen, Jethro (December 31, 2015), "Couple witnesses horrific cruise ship death", CNN (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.), retrieved December 31, 2015
  28. 1 2 "Carnival Dream". Fincantieri. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Carnival Magic". Fincantieri. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  30. ↑ "Carnival Breeze". Fincantieri. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  31. ↑ Kevin Rector (2014-01-30). "Carnival reverses plan to depart Baltimore port". Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  32. ↑ Gene Sloan (2012-02-09). "Carnival Cruise Lines to expand capacity in New York - USA Today". Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  33. ↑ "New 135,000-ton 'Fun Ship' Set to Debut in 2016 to Be Named Carnival Vista". Carnival-News.com. July 20, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  34. ↑ Sloan, Gene (July 20, 2013). "Next Carnival ship to be called Carnival Vista". USA Today.com. Retrieved July 20, 2013.

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