Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ “towel animals” – whimsical terry cloth creatures that greet guests as they return to their staterooms each evening – are an iconic element of the “Fun Ship” vacation experience.

For guests who want to make their own towel animals at home, Carnival has published its latest edition of Towel Creations, a helpful how-to guide with step-by-step instructions for creating a veritable zoo of towel origami, everything from frogs, swans and elephants to monkeys, scorpions and rabbits. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Camp Carnival Night Owls – featuring fun-filled children’s parties offering a full schedule of late-night activities and premium giveaways, along with nightly babysitting services – is being rolled out on all 23 Carnival Cruise Lines ships.

Perfect for when parents want some much-needed “me” time, Night Owls further bolsters Carnival’s distinction as the leader in family cruising, with complimentary children’s programs for three age groups catering to the 670,000 children who sail with the line annually. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines and the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital are proud to announce a partnership for 2011.

The year-long partnership will include several in-kind and monetary donations and fundraisers, as well as bringing smiles and fun to the patients of the MUSC Children’s Hospital.   Under the partnership, Carnival’s involvement includes:  [Read more →]

Courtesy of  Carnival Cruise Lines.

In a nod to maritime tradition, Miami Children’s Museum and Carnival Cruise Lines recently uncorked a confetti-filled bottle to launch a redesigned cruise ship–shaped exhibit where kids can sail on a sea of discovery and learn the secrets behind one of South Florida’s leading industries.

The two-level 1,850-square-foot exhibit – the country’s only cruise-themed children’s museum attraction – has been completely renovated and now offers a host of new hands-on, interactive activities that promise oceans of fun while educating kids about seagoing travel and maritime careers.

New features on the exhibit’s first level include Puppet Ship Theater, where kids can learn about different maritime careers while putting on a puppet show with a cast of miniature captains, engineers, chefs and other shipboard personnel.  Young visitors also have their moment in the spotlight dressing up and performing as Carnival entertainers with dazzling, sequin-festooned costumes. [Read more →]

Courtesy of  Carnival Cruise Lines.

With the band warmed up, amps cranked, spotlight set and the adoring crowd ready to explode, Carnival guests will take the  stage, grab the mic and live out their music-star daydreams on the open seas.  Introducing Superstar Live Karaoke, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest entertainment feature puts guests into the act, fronting a live band and performing their favorite songs to a packed house.

Superstar Live Karaoke combines two popular forms of entertainment – live music by talented musicians and karaoke by Carnival’s singing sailors – and cranks it up. It is fun for all when aspiring singers or fun-seekers have their moment in the spotlight while a few hundred of their friends, family and fellow guests cheer them on and sing along. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, the line’s newest and largest “Fun Ship,” recently departed on its inaugural cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla., kicking off its year-round Caribbean cruise schedule from that port.

Carnival Dream’s inaugural departure from Port Canaveral – a nine-day cruise to Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas/St. John, San Juan and Grand Turk – was followed by the launch of year-round seven-day cruises, alternating weekly to the eastern and western Caribbean.  On this route, eastern Caribbean cruises visit Nassau, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Maarten while the western Caribbean itinerary features Cozumel, Mahogany Bay (Roatan), Belize and Costa Maya. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, took top honors in eight categories, including Best Value, Entertainment and Best Children’s Programs, in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards sponsored by Porthole Cruise Magazine, the leading consumer cruise magazine.

The awards are based on surveys of Porthole readers who rated their favorite cruise line in a wide variety of product- and service-related categories.

Since the awards were established in 1999, Carnival Cruise Lines has garnered 109 individual honors – the most of any cruise line during this period. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Eight-year-old Hailee Steberger of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., is the winner of Carnival Cruise Lines’ “Virtual Book of Dreams” contest, earning the opportunity to serve as the official godchild of the expansive water park aboard the new Carnival Dream.  At 130,000 tons, Carnival Dream is the line’s newest and largest ship and will make its U.S. debut in November.

Hailee and her family will travel to New York next month to christen the Carnival Dream’s spectacular WaterWorks aqua park, which features the longest water slide on a cruise ship. The family will also receive a free cruise. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream will introduce the line’s first outdoor laser shows that will combine the latest in laser technology with rock music to provide guests a unique and exciting nighttime entertainment option.  Carnival Dream’s laser shows will be the first ever for a North America–based cruise ship.

The 15-minute nighttime laser shows will feature choreographed lasers projecting brilliant aerial patterns of blue, red and green set to music by popular artists such as Styx, Rush, Van Halen, Boston and Pink Floyd. [Read more →]