MIAMI (January 22, 2004) - Carnival has rolled out a new all-digital photo platform featuring the latest professional digital cameras from Olympus, the E-1 - the first such cameras to be used on a cruise ship - along with the cruise industry's fastest digital photo labs developed specifically for Carnival by KonicaMinolta Photo Imaging USA Inc., a leading photo imaging services provider.

The line has also scheduled a beta-test of a new photo-retrieval kiosk featuring innovative "facial recognition technology" that matches a guest's likeness with stored "Fun Ship" vacation photos and displays images on a computer screen for review. These various new technologies are creating a faster, more user-efficient and environmentally friendly photo operation aboard Carnival's fleet of 20 "Fun Ships."

The multi-million-dollar digital photography conversion is already in place on six of the line's vessels with fleetwide implementation expected before the end of the year. Beta-testing of the photo-retrieval kiosk - the first of its kind in the cruise industry - will begin this spring aboard the new 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle.

According to Carnival's Vice President - Photo/Video Bob Woodry, the new all-digital platform is far superior to the previous print system, providing higher quality photos in a more convenient and timely manner. With the new digital system, Carnival guests can also customize their photos with colorful borders, backgrounds and other features.

"With our new 'cutting edge' cameras and custom-designed photo processing labs, guests sailing aboard the 'Fun Ships' enjoy the fastest, most efficient photo services at sea," Woodry said. He added that the conversion to the digital platform also has environmental benefits, as the use of photo-finishing chemicals will be greatly reduced and film will no longer be required.

Taking advantage of advancements in "facial recognition software," Carnival is the first cruise line to explore a shipboard application for this innovative technology, which is being developed by San Diego-based ImageWare Systems, Inc. (IW), a leading provider of digital imaging, biometric and secure credential solutions.

With the new system, guests sailing aboard Carnival Miracle will visit a stand-alone kiosk, which captures an image of his or her face. The image is compared to faces of all photos taken by the ship's photographers during that voyage.

Once the search is complete, all photos featuring that guest, including individual and group shots, will appear on a touch-screen computer monitor for review. Selected images are then printed on photo paper using high quality KonicaMinolta digital printers.

"While 'facial recognition technology' has been employed in other industries, this is the first time it is being beta-tested on a cruise ship and we are very excited about its groundbreaking potential in our photo operations," Woodry said.

Carnival is the world's most popular cruise line, with 20 "Fun Ships" operating three- to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, and Bermuda from homeports throughout North America. The new 88,500-ton Carnival Miracle is set to debut from Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 27, 2004.

For additional information and reservations for any Carnival "Fun Ship," contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit carnival.com.