MIAMI – From an expansive children’s play area featuring a computer lab, “video wall” and variety of toys and games to organized teen shore excursions and “kid friendly” dining options, Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle has definite all-ages appeal. 

The 88,500-ton SuperLiner, currently under construction in Helsinki, Finland, is slated to debut from Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 27, 2004.

The amenities featured aboard Carnival Miracle are the latest additions to “Camp Carnival,” the line’s fleetwide children’s program that will cater to the estimated 450,000 kids expected to sail aboard the “Fun Ships” this year.  That translates to roughly half of the children carried by the entire North American cruise industry (CLIA member lines).

“Families are an important and growing market for Carnival, which has experienced a 350 percent increase in the number of children sailing aboard the ‘Fun Ships’ over the past decade. And Carnival Miracle, with its enthusiastic youth staff, fun-filled activities and state-of-the-art facilities is a perfect example of the direction we have taken in catering to the unique vacation needs of our younger guests,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Expansive Children’s Play Areas

The focal point of many “Camp Carnival” activities is Pinocchio’s Club, a 2,400-square-foot play area that is among the largest in the “Fun Ship” fleet.

Divided into three specific areas – all connected via a series of tunnels – Pinocchio’s Club features a computer lab with the latest educational games, an arts and craft center with spin and sand art and candy-making machines and other hands-on activities, and an all-ages play room with an array of toys and games. There’s also a 16-monitor “video wall” continually displaying kids’ favorite movies and cartoons.

Pinocchio’s Club will also serve as the venue for the line’s nightly babysitting services, which are available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The cost is $6 for the first child and $4 for each additional child in the same family.

An outdoor play area with mini-basketball hoops and other playground equipment, along with four swimming pools and a two-deck-high corkscrew water slide, are also featured.

Family-Friendly Dining Options

Dining is considered a highlight of any “Fun Ship” cruise and kids sailing aboard Carnival Miracle are provided with a wide range of delectable kid-friendly culinary choices. These include an expansive Lido restaurant featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and 24-hour pizza and ice cream/frozen yogurt, along with a two-level main dining room offering extensive children’s menus with choices such as chicken nuggets, pepperoni pizza, macaroni and cheese and “daily junior special” promising something new each evening.

A new kids dining program, during which children can dine with the youth counselors nightly in the poolside Lido restaurant, is also available. Featured items include roasted chicken drumsticks, grilled salmon steak, chicken quesadillas and a 35-item salad bar.

Kids also enjoy a turn-down service offering freshly baked chocolate chip cookies the first and last night of the voyage, as well as the “Fountain Fun Card,” which, for a one-time fee, provides unlimited soft drinks throughout the duration of the cruise.

Spacious Accommodations, Stroller Rentals and More

The “Fun Ships” are known for having the most spacious staterooms in contemporary cruising and Carnival Miracle continues that tradition. Interior staterooms measure 185 square feet, standard balcony staterooms 240 square feet and penthouse suites 430 square feet, all with ample closet and storage space. Many cabins can accommodate up to four guests and there are 52 interconnecting cabins – perfect for large families or gatherings.

Carnival Miracle will also offer stroller rentals for use both aboard ship and during port calls. Single and double strollers are available at a cost of $7 per day and $25 per week. 

Other kid-friendly features include “Wizards,” a high-tech game room featuring the latest video and arcade games, along with several “just for teens” activities, including teen shore excursions in which teens get together and select their favorite shore tour and then visit the destination accompanied by a member of the youth staff.

Exciting Three- to Seven-Day Itineraries

Carnival Miracle is slated to debut from Jacksonville Feb. 27, 2004, with a series of 12 three- to six-day voyages through April 17, 2004, marking the first time that Carnival has ever operated from that port. 

The ship will also operate seven-day departures from Baltimore and New York before repositioning to Tampa for year-round seven-day western Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Nov. 7, 2004.

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