Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line

Company type	Wholly Owned Subsidiary
Industry	Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism
Founded	March 11, 1972 (1972-03-11)
Founder	Ted Arison
Headquarters	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Christine Duffy, President
Products	Cruises
Revenue	US$10.9 billion (FY 2011)
Net income	US$1.9 billion (FY 2011)
Total assets	US$35 billion (FY 2011)
Total equity	US$13.4 billion (FY 2011)
Number of employees	3,900 - Shoreside 33,500 - Shipboard
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 House flag of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line is the world's largest cruise line based in Miami, Florida in the United States. It is a subsidiary of the American-British company Carnival Corporation & PLC, one of the largest travel and tourism companies in the world.

History

Originally an independent company founded in 1972 by Ted Arison, the company is now one of ten cruise ship brands owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & plc. The company has the largest fleet in the group, with 25 vessels currently in operation that account for 21.1% of the worldwide market share. Executive control of the company is provided by the North American division of Carnival Corporation, headquartered in Doral, Florida.

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 H. Dickinson, then President and CTC, participated in a BBC documentary, Back To The Floor. Dickinson went to work at the lowest crew levels on the Fun Ship MS Carnival Imagination in the Caribbean, where he shadowed a Romanian cleaner, Alina.

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 at the time. The ship was cancelled after that they came up with a project called Next Generation.

As of 2009, the latest and largest asset in the Carnival fleet was Carnival Dream, a new 128,000 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. It entered service in June 2012 and is now homeported in Galveston. On May 10, 2010, Carnival selected a name for their new Dream-class vessel in 2012; Carnival Breeze.

On 26 October 2012, it was announced that Carnival had ordered a brand new ship for their Carnival Cruise Line brand. This ship was built by Fincantieri and is the largest ship they have ever built. It sailed its maiden voyage on May 1, 2016, nearly four years after Carnival Breeze entered service. The new ship is named Carnival Vista.

In January 2017, Michael Thamm was appointed CEO of Carnival Asia by the Carnival Corporation. As CEO, Thamm will oversee operations in China and the region. Thamm's career spans more than three decades in the cruise and shipping industry. Thamm serves as CEO of Costa Group since Jul. 1, 2012 and continues to work at Costa Group alongside Carnival Asia.

2018 and 2019 will also see the addition of new liners to Carnival's fleet, the Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama set sail.

Hurricane Katrina charters

Carnival Ecstasy docked in New Orleans

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, three of the Carnival cruise ships were chartered by the United States government for six months to serve as temporary housing until the houses can be rebuilt. After being chartered for six months, their planned voyages were cancelled, and passengers were refunded. 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.

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. Monthly salaries of the high paid workers are 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. Employees report strenuous working conditions such as 14-hour shifts with no days off. As of October 2013 retirement benefits were revoked.

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

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. 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.

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.. The engine fire led to a power outage on the ship which in turn, cause raw sewage to back up. This led to the media to dub the ordeal "The Poop Cruise".The ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama, docking on the evening of February 14. 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."

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.

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).

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

Ships

Current fleet

Ship	Class	Sailed for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Guest Capacity	Home Port	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Vista	Vista	2016–present	133,500 GT	3,934	Miami, Florida Until September 16, 2018 Galveston, Texas Beginning September 23, 2018	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri for Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival Breeze	Dream	2012–Present	128,000 GT	3,690	Galveston, Texas Until September 16, 2018 Port Canaveral, Florida Beginning September 30, 2018	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until Carnival Vista
Carnival Magic	Dream	2011–Present	128,000 GT	3,690	Port Canaveral, Florida Until September 29, 2018 Miami, Florida Beginning September 30, 2018	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until Carnival Breeze
Carnival Dream	Dream	2009–Present	128,000 GT	3,646	New Orleans, Louisiana Until May 12, 2019 Galveston, Texas Beginning May 13, 2019	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until Carnival Magic
Carnival Splendor	Splendor	2008–Present	113,300 GT	3,012	Miami, Florida ; Until January 14, 2018 Long Beach, California Beginning January 27, 2018	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 Freedom	Conquest	2007–Present	110,000 GT	2,980	Galveston, Texas	Panama
Carnival Liberty	Conquest	2005–Present	110,000 GT	2,980	Port Canaveral, Florida	Panama
Carnival Valor	Conquest	2004–Present	110,000 GT	2,980	Galveston, Texas Until May 10, 2019 New Orleans, Louisiana Beginning May 11, 2019	Panama
Carnival Glory	Conquest	2003–Present	110,000 GT	2,980	Miami, Florida Until February 28, 2019 New Orleans, Louisiana Beginning March 2, 2019	Panama
Carnival Conquest	Conquest	2002–Present	110,000 GT	2,980	Fort Lauderdale, Florida Until May 11, 2019 Miami, Florida Beginning May 11, 2019	Panama
Carnival Miracle	Spirit	2004–Present	88,500 GT	2,124	Long Beach, California ; Until January 13, 2018 Tampa, Florida Beginning January 27, 2018	Panama	Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Legend	Spirit	2002–Present	88,500 GT	2,124	Seattle, Washington ; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ; Honolulu, Hawaii Summer months Sydney, Australia (Fall, Winter, Spring months) Melbourne, Australia	Malta	Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Pride	Spirit	2002–Present	88,500 GT	2,124	Baltimore, Maryland	Panama	Built to Panamax form factor, Former Flagship for Carnival
Carnival Spirit	Spirit	2001–Present	88,500 GT	2,124	Sydney, Australia Shanghai, China	Malta	Built to Panamax form factor
Carnival Victory	Destiny/Triumph	2000–Present	101,509 GT	2,754	Miami, Florida	Panama	Modified Destiny-class
Carnival Triumph	Destiny/Triumph	1999–Present	101,509 GT	2,754	New Orleans, Louisiana Until March 1, 2019	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. After Dry Dock she became the leader of the two member Triumph Class.
Carnival Sunshine	Destiny/Sunshine	2013–Present	102,853 GT	3,002	Port Canaveral, Florida Until May 17, 2019 Charleston, South Carolina Beginning May 18, 2019	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 Paradise	Fantasy	1998–Present	70,367 GT	2,056	Tampa, Florida	Panama	Originally, Paradise
Carnival Elation	Fantasy	1998–Present	71,909 GT	2,130	Jacksonville, Florida Until May 11, 2019 Port Canaveral, Florida Beginning May 12, 2019	Panama	Originally, Elation
Carnival Inspiration	Fantasy	1996–Present	70,367 GT	2,056	Long Beach, California	Bahamas	Originally, Inspiration
Carnival Imagination	Fantasy	1995–Present	70,367 GT	2,056	Long Beach, California	Bahamas	Originally, Imagination
Carnival Fascination	Fantasy	1994–Present	70,367 GT	2,056	San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Barbados	Bahamas	Originally, Fascination
Carnival Sensation	Fantasy	1993–Present	70,367 GT	2,056	Miami, Florida	Bahamas	Originally, Sensation
Carnival Ecstasy	Fantasy	1991–Present	70,367 GT	2,056	Charleston, South Carolina Until May 15, 2019 Jacksonville, Florida Beginning May 16, 2019	Panama	originally, Ecstasy
Carnival Fantasy	Fantasy	1990–present	70,367 GT	2,056	Mobile, Alabama	Panama	Originally, Fantasy

Notes

• Carnival Horizon to be delivered in March of 2018
• Two more Destiny-class ships sail for Carnival's sister company Costa Cruises, Costa Fortuna and Costa Magica.
• Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory are Modified-Destiny-class cruise ship because they were built with two more decks than the rest of the Destiny-class ships.
• Two more Spirit-class ships sail for Carnival's sister company Costa Cruises, Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea.
• One more Dream-class ship sails for Carnival's sister company Costa Cruises, Costa Diadema.
• Conquest-class is based on the overall design of the Destiny-class, but are longer. Because of the additional length, the Conquest class has expanded facilities compared to the Destiny class. Not all ships have a reservations-only restaurant. Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom, slightly differ from the rest of the fleet because they have Carnival's Seaside Theater installed by the main pool on the lido deck. The Destiny-class ships, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory also have one installed. Carnival Splendor and the Dream-class ships, Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze, as well as Carnival Vista, were built with the Seaside Theater.
• Carnival Splendor offers facilities other ships do not have. This is because the ship was originally designed and built for Carnival's sister company Costa Cruises. Costa Cruises had five sister ships to Carnival Splendor: Costa Concordia, Costa Serena, Costa Pacifica, Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa, until the Costa Concordia was grounded and wrecked in January 2012. The inaugural voyage for Carnival Splendor was on 2 July 2008 from Genoa, Italy to Dover, England.

Future fleet

Ship	Year Built	Will sail for Carnival	Gross Tonnage	Home Port	Flag	Notes	Image
Carnival Horizon	2018	2018	133,500 GT	Barcelona, New York City, and Miami	Panama	Sister to the Carnival Vista.
Carnival Panorama	2019	2019	133,500 GT	TBA	Panama	Sister to the Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon. Originally planned to sail for P&O Cruises Australia.
TBD	2020	2020	180,000 GT	TBA	Panama	Will be the first LNG powered and the largest ship ever built for Carnival Cruise Line.
TBD	2022	2022	180,000 GT	TBA	Panama	Build by Meyer Turku, Finland

On July 29, 2016, Carnival announced that the second Vista Class Ship would be named Carnival Horizon that is scheduled to be delivered March 2018.

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 and the Henna in 2013. Sold for scrap in 2017.
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, Pig and Anchor, and Fish and Chips

See also

• Carnival Air Lines
• Costa Crociere (subsidiary)
• Carnival Cruise Line Tycoon 2005: Island Hopping
• Fiesta Marina Cruises — short-lived subsidiary of Carnival
• Cruise Confidential

External links

• www.carnival.com— Carnival Cruise Line site
• Carnival Cruise Lines fleet location in Google Maps