Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line

Type	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	US$10.9 billion (FY 2011)
Operating income	US$2.3 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[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/British 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 25 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 128,000 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.^[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 sailed it's maiden voyage on May 1, 2016, nearly four years after Carnival Breeze entered service.^[10] The new ship is named Carnival Vista.^[11]

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.^[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 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 Vista	Vista	2016	2016-present	133,500 GT	Barcelona, Spain/Athens, Greece/Trieste, Italy (May–October 2016) New York, New York (October–November 2016) Miami, Florida (November 27, 2016 and on)	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri for Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival Dream	Dream	2009	2009–Present	128,000 GT[28]	New Orleans, Louisiana	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until Carnival Magic
Carnival Magic	Dream	2011	2011–Present	128,000 GT[29]	Port Canaveral, Florida	Panama	The largest ship ever built by Fincantieri until Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze	Dream	2012	2012–Present	128,000 GT[30]	Galveston, Texas	Panama	Currently the second largest ship built for Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor	Concordia	2008	2008–Present	113,323 GT[28]	Miami, Florida ; Fort Lauderdale, 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	Galveston, Texas	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 ; Tampa, Florida[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)	Malta	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 ; New York ; Charleston; Norfolk	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	Triumph	1999	1999–2013	101,509 GT	New Orleans, Louisiana	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 Victory	Triumph	2000	2000–Present	101,509 GT	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	Jacksonville, Florida	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	San Juan, Puerto Rico	Bahamas	Originally, Fascination
Carnival Sensation	Fantasy	1993	1993–Present	70,538 GT	Miami, Florida	Bahamas	Originally, Sensation
Carnival Ecstasy	Fantasy	1991	1991–Present	70,526 GT	Charleston, South Carolina	Panama	originally, Ecstasy
Carnival Fantasy	Fantasy	1990	1990–present	70,367 GT	Miami, Florida February 17, 2016 - November 2016 Mobile, Alabama November 9, 2016 -	Panama	Originally, Fantasy

Notes

• 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.
• 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 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
Unnamed [33]	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.^[34][35] 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, Pig and Anchor, and Starbucks.

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

References

1. 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. "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. "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. Miami, Carnival Cruise LinesPublic Relations Department 3655 N. W. 87th Ave. "Keel Laying Ceremony Held for Carnival Cruise Line’s Second Vista-Class Vessel; As-Yet-Unnamed Ship Set to Debut in Spring 2018". Carnival Cruise Lines News. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
34. "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.
35. Sloan, Gene (July 20, 2013). "Next Carnival ship to be called Carnival Vista". USA Today.com. Retrieved July 20, 2013.

External links

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