Bargains Abound on Carnival Cruise Lines' 'Fun Ships'

MIAMI, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Gas prices are rising, interest rates are rising, but Carnival cruises remain one of the best values available in the vacation market.

This year even those who have yet to make their summer vacation plans will find some great bargains still available. In fact, there are some incredible values on "Fun Ship" departures -- with rates up to 20 percent lower than last year.

"We have more and larger ships in the fleet than ever before, and that provides economies of scale and operating efficiencies that enable us to provide 21st-century cruises at 1980s prices," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "That provides us an opportunity to expand the market by attracting more first-time cruisers who represent a guaranteed renewable resource for us. Once they try the Carnival product, we know they will come back again and again," he added.

Dickinson added that many "Fun Ship" bargains are on some of the cruise industry's newest, most technically advanced mega-liners, further enhancing the already tremendous value that cruising provides. "With a wide variety of all-inclusive dining, activity and entertainment options, cruising is the best value equation in the travel industry hands down," he said.

The Caribbean remains the most popular cruise destination by far and there are some particularly exceptional values on short cruises (five days or less) within the region, with prices starting at just $229 per person. Shorter voyages are the perfect introduction for first-time cruisers who are able to test the waters without investing a lot of time or money.

Outstanding bargains are available on week-long Caribbean cruises, as well, with rates starting at just $449 per person.

And with Carnival's "Fun Ships" departing from 18 different North American homeports, consumers have a host of "close to home" bargains, including eight- day Caribbean voyages from New York aboard the Carnival Legend starting at $599 per person, and four- or five-day cruises to Mexico aboard the Ecstasy from Galveston beginning at $329 per person.

For vacationers wishing to experience the Caribbean's newest destination, Grand Turk, a magnificent 10-square-mile island of the Turks & Caicos Islands chain offering beautiful beaches, watersports and some of the world's best diving, bargains abound.

Rates for five-day Fantasy cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla., and seven- day Elation cruises from Miami -- both of which feature visits to this spectacular island paradise, along with calls at the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay -- begin at $349 and $449 per person, respectively.

Regardless of what ship or itinerary consumers select, with these low prices there's never been a better time to "choose to choose."

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, , operates a fleet of 21 "Fun Ships" on voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Europe and the Greek Isles.

For additional information and reservations on these outstanding "Fun Ship" bargains, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit http://www.carnival.com/ .

Carnival Cruise Lines is a proud member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.