Carnival Cruise Lines

If you’re looking for fun with a capital F – a Carnival cruise is the place to find it. This American cruise line is the world’s largest and one of the most innovative. It broke the mould of traditional cruising with the launch of its ‘fun ships’ some years ago and now has 22 ‘SuperLiners’ that cruise from a wide range of US ports including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and San Diego. It also offers Carnival cruises from Barbados that are proving popular with British customers. Closer to home, it has summer sailings in the Mediterranean on its ship Carnival Freedom and voyages from the UK port of Dover to northern Europe on its new ship Carnival Splendor. Next summer, even more Carnival cruises will be on offer from the UK as its ship Carnival Liberty will offer 13 sailings from Dover – more than ever before.

Carnival holidays are known for their leisurely, informal atmosphere and the ships boast extensive amenities and activities to suit passengers of all types and all ages. Couples, honeymooners, families and groups of friends are the main customers who opt for Carnival cruise holidays. They are drawn by the huge choice of daytime sports and activities geared to adults and the Camp Carnival children’s programme which offers free supervised activities for youngsters aged from two to 14 years in four different age groups. Each Carnival ‘SuperLiner’ has its own character, but essentially the ships offer the same Carnival holiday product and dramatic design with eye-catching wonders such as a huge nine-storey atrium crowned by dramatic glass skydome. Then there are up to four swimming pools, a 214ft waterslide, whirlpools, a gym, spa, beauty salon and up to 21 bars, bistros, restaurants and nightclubs.

Diners on Carnival cruise holidays can eat in style and enjoy everything from elegant restaurants to informal bistro-style cuisine, snacks and oriental dishes. There’s also a 24-hour pizzeria. Night-time entertainment is headed by spectacular Broadway-style stage shows performed in the three-tier theatre while more intimate interludes can be found in the cosy piano bars. Then there are the nightclubs, comedy acts in the cabaret lounges and splashing the cash in the glitzy onboard casinos. Each new Carnival ship brings a new Carnival cruise experience with a difference and the Carnival Splendor will have a huge spa with thalassotherapy pool, a ‘Theatre Under the Stars’, a winter garden with ceremonial tea house and a supper club with fabulous views.