MIAMI (March 26, 2004) – Responding to the escalating trend toward shorter, more frequent vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines will increase its short cruise offerings this year by 50 percent and provide consumers with 39 different short cruise itineraries, including departures from two new homeports – Jacksonville, Fla., and Mobile, Ala.

“Carnival continues to break new ground in the short cruise arena and our new four- and five-day departures from Jacksonville and Mobile reflect our focus on this vacation segment which caters to those seeking convenient, close-to-home vacation alternatives,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, short cruises (voyages of five days or less in length) are the fastest-growing segment in the cruise industry. In fact, 13 of Carnival’s 20 “Fun Ships” will operate short cruises from 13 different North American homeports – the most of any cruise line – this year.

“Time is a precious commodity these days and more consumers are gravitating toward quick, affordable getaways. Carnival’s short ‘Fun Ship’ cruises are perfectly suited for today’s lifestyles, providing an unparalleled combination of value, choice and flexibility, with more itineraries and departure points than ever before,” said Dickinson. 

Carnival’s short cruise programs include:

• Carnival Miracle – three-day Bahamas and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville now through April 17; special five-day Canada cruise from New York June 7; two-day voyages from Baltimore Oct. 31 and Tampa Nov. 5.

• Jubilee – Four-day Bahamas and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville May 11 – August 26.

• Celebration – Four- and five-day Mexico cruises from Galveston, Texas, through Oct. 4; year-round four-day Bahamas and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville beginning Oct. 12.

• Holiday – Four- and five-day Mexico cruises from New Orleans through Oct. 9; year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises from Mobile beginning Oct. 16.

• Imagination – Year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

• Fascination – Year-round three-day Bahamas and four-day western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

• Ecstasy – Three- and four-day Baja cruises from Long Beach, Calif., through Sept. 13; four- and five-day Mexico cruises from Galveston beginning Oct. 23.

• Paradise – Year-round three- and four-day Baja cruises from Long Beach beginning Sept. 20.

• Sensation – Four- and five-day cruises from Tampa through Oct. 16; year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises from New Orleans beginning Oct. 23. 

• Inspiration – Year-round four and five-day cruises from Tampa beginning Oct. 30.

• Fantasy – Year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla.

• Carnival Victory – Two-day cruises from Norfolk June 12 and Oct. 16; two-day cruises from New York June 15 and 17; four- and five-day Canada cruises from New York June 19 - Sept. 6; and five-day Bahamas cruises from Charleston May 31 and Oct. 19.

• Carnival Spirit – Special three-day Baja cruise from San Diego April 15.

Many consumers are opting to combine their “Fun Ship” vacation with a pre- or post-cruise land stay, creating customized land/cruise packages. Carnival has expanded its efforts in this area, adding luxurious new hotel properties such as the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Beach Club in Jacksonville, Sheraton Hotel & Towers in New York, and Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach.

Carnival’s short “Fun Ship” departures complement a wide variety of six- to 16-day cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, and Canada/New England. 

For additional information and reservations on all Carnival “Fun Ship” itineraries, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit carnival.com.