MIAMI (February 9, 2004) – Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), today took delivery of its 20th “Fun Ship,” the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle. The delivery took place during traditional handover ceremonies in Helsinki at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, the Finnish shipyard that constructed the massive $375 million SuperLiner.

Following a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Helsinki to Jacksonville, Fla., Carnival Miracle will be “officially” named Feb. 27, 2004, by former Army private Jessica Lynch, then depart on its inaugural three-day voyage from Jacksonville, marking the first time that Carnival has ever operated from this Northeast Florida port.

Carnival Miracle will operate three-, five- and six-day departures from Jacksonville through April 17, followed by a series of seven-day cruises from Baltimore and New York through the fall. The ship will then reposition to Tampa to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises Nov. 7, 2004, becoming that port’s newest and largest cruise ship.

“Not only is the Carnival Miracle a spectacular ‘Fun Ship’ with all the features and facilities desired by today’s discriminating vacationers, it also will operate a truly innovative inaugural schedule with departures from four convenient U.S. homeports, including our first-ever voyages from Jacksonville,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. 

"We are also very honored that Jessica Lynch, who represents the thousands of brave men and women of our armed forces, will be naming this vessel in Jacksonville, a city that possesses a storied maritime and military history,” he added.

More than three football fields long and encompassing 12 passenger decks, Carnival Miracle offers a wide variety of amenities and features, including a 14,500-square-foot health club, indoor and outdoor promenades, a children’s play room, a wedding chapel, Internet café, and a duty-free shopping mall.

Dining options include a two-level main dining room, an expansive poolside restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and a 24-hour pizzeria, an upscale reservations-only supper club, a patisserie, and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service. Sixteen lounges and bars, with dramatic interiors inspired by famous fictional icons of film, literature, theater and song, are featured, as well.

Of the ship’s 1,062 staterooms, 80 percent offer an ocean view with 80 percent of those featuring private balconies.

Carnival is accepting reservations on all of the Carnival Miracle’s 2004 departures.

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