Carnival Cruise Line has announced orders for its largest ships yet: two 5,200-passenger vessels for 2020 and 2022. Both will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), marking the first time an LNG-powered cruise ship is based in North America.
“This new ship order signifies an extraordinarily exciting future for Carnival Cruise Line and the opportunities that lie ahead to introduce a variety of magnificent new features and innovations to further enhance our outstanding guest experience,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We are also thrilled to be introducing Carnival Corporation & Plc’s green cruising design platform to North America. Both of these ships will be fully powered at sea and in port by LNG, which is the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel. These ships are being designed for maximum energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.”
In the meantime, Carnival is bringing more and different cruises to Alaska next year, including a 14-day Carnival Journey roundtrip from Long Beach, Calif., departing Sept. 2, 2017.
In addition to a full-day sailing along Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the line’s first call to Icy Strait Point (with some of the best whale and bear sightings in Alaska), Carnival Miracle will call in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Sitka in Alaska, as well as in Vancouver, British Columbia. Carnival Journeys are designed for guests to explore a region in greater depth than shorter cruises, with special onboard enrichment activities that support shoreside activities.
The Alaska itinerary’s shore excursions will range from helicopter flightseeing and snorkeling in alpine lakes to canoeing and kayaking. Alaskan cuisine will be offered onboard, and the line will bring local entertainment and culture from the various ports of call onboard as well. Activities will include cooking, arts and crafts, photography and even celestial navigation, along with a 1980s-themed “Throwback Sea Day.”
In addition to Carnival Miracle’s special sailing, Carnival Legend will operate 38 seven- and eight-day Alaska cruises in 2017 and 2018, including seven weeklong Glacier Bay cruises next year, the most voyages by Carnival to this region. The seven- and eight-day cruises will sail roundtrip from Seattle, or from Vancouver to Seattle, calling in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia, as well as feature a full-day of cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay.
The Details
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