Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2010 Alaska Voyages to Operate Round-Trip from Seattle

[OhioJeff]

http://carnival-news.com/2009/03/11/carnival-cruise-lines-2010-alaska-voyages-to-operate-round-trip-from-seattle/#more-1115

Press Release:

 

For the first time ever, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate a schedule of seven-day Alaska cruises round-trip from Seattle beginning in May 2010.

In total, 17 week-long Alaska cruises will operate from the Port of Seattle from May 11 to Aug. 31, 2010 departing Tuesdays aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit.

Port calls on these voyages include the popular Alaskan destinations of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria Island, British Columbia, and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord.

 

Each of these destinations offers a rich history and culture, along with awe-inspiring natural wonders, including calving glaciers, magnificent fjords and native sea and animal life. A wide range of shore excursions – from helicopter flightseeing and rainforest canopy tours to hiking, canoeing and kayaking expeditions – are also available.

 

The Carnival Spirit also features an on-board naturalist who educates guests on the region’s colorful history and points out animal and marine life from the ship’s bridge.

 

Prior to the start-up of the new program, Carnival Spirit will operate two special voyages – a six-day Inside Passage voyage from Vancouver to Seattle departing May 5, 2010 and a seven-day Glacier Bay cruise from Seattle to Vancouver Sept. 7, 2010. Both voyages include a cruise through the Inside Passage along with port calls at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan; and the seven-day cruise also includes a day of cruising in spectacular Glacier Bay.

 

Carnival Spirit is the ideal ship for Alaska, with 80 percent of staterooms featuring an ocean view or balcony – perfect for viewing the passing scenery — along with indoor and outdoor promenades, a 14,500-square-foot health and wellness center and 16 themed lounges, bars and nightspots.

 

Dining venues include the two-level Empire Restaurant with specially prepared “Just For Alaska” menu items featuring local fish, game and other ingredients, as well as the La Playa Grille, a casual eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, and the Nouveau Supper Club, an intimate reservations-only restaurant offering prime steaks and other gourmet cuisine.

 

Kids sailing on Carnival Spirit can enjoy three different children’s programs – Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, Circle “C” for ages 12 to 14, and Club O2 for 15- to 17-year-olds – with facilities and counselors dedicated to each group. Many activities in these programs feature fun, educational activities with an Alaska theme.

[krogerlady]

My sister an I were just talking a little while ago about when we would go again, and she wants to go soon, as in next year.......and i suggested a round trip out of seattle. Its almost weird that is information was posted today!! I sure hope I can get a good part time job after I retire so I can save all my money for my next cruise!!

[SeattleCruiselover]

http://carnival-news.com/2009/03/11/carnival-cruise-lines-2010-alaska-voyages-to-operate-round-trip-from-seattle/#more-1115

Press Release:

 

For the first time ever, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate a schedule of seven-day Alaska cruises round-trip from Seattle beginning in May 2010.

In total, 17 week-long Alaska cruises will operate from the Port of Seattle from May 11 to Aug. 31, 2010 departing Tuesdays aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit.

Port calls on these voyages include the popular Alaskan destinations of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria Island, British Columbia, and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord.

 

Each of these destinations offers a rich history and culture, along with awe-inspiring natural wonders, including calving glaciers, magnificent fjords and native sea and animal life. A wide range of shore excursions – from helicopter flightseeing and rainforest canopy tours to hiking, canoeing and kayaking expeditions – are also available.

 

The Carnival Spirit also features an on-board naturalist who educates guests on the region’s colorful history and points out animal and marine life from the ship’s bridge.

 

Prior to the start-up of the new program, Carnival Spirit will operate two special voyages – a six-day Inside Passage voyage from Vancouver to Seattle departing May 5, 2010 and a seven-day Glacier Bay cruise from Seattle to Vancouver Sept. 7, 2010. Both voyages include a cruise through the Inside Passage along with port calls at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan; and the seven-day cruise also includes a day of cruising in spectacular Glacier Bay.

 

Carnival Spirit is the ideal ship for Alaska, with 80 percent of staterooms featuring an ocean view or balcony – perfect for viewing the passing scenery — along with indoor and outdoor promenades, a 14,500-square-foot health and wellness center and 16 themed lounges, bars and nightspots.

 

Dining venues include the two-level Empire Restaurant with specially prepared “Just For Alaska” menu items featuring local fish, game and other ingredients, as well as the La Playa Grille, a casual eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, and the Nouveau Supper Club, an intimate reservations-only restaurant offering prime steaks and other gourmet cuisine.

 

Kids sailing on Carnival Spirit can enjoy three different children’s programs – Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, Circle “C” for ages 12 to 14, and Club O2 for 15- to 17-year-olds – with facilities and counselors dedicated to each group. Many activities in these programs feature fun, educational activities with an Alaska theme.

 

Oh, goody. Another ship, on another day of the week (the only day not populated then will be Wednesdays). Another denizen for Terminal 91.

 

Something good for our economy in the midst of all the bad (even if my poor middle DD does have to pull out all of her hair because she will have one more ship to find produce for each week).

[anchorage1977]

Oh what the economy giveth to some, it taketh from others. Seattle's gain is our loss in southcentral Alaska since this ship has docked at Whittier for years. Their guests will also miss out on the scenic cruising of Canada's portion of the Inside Passage, only available out of Vancouver. They will also loose the option of doing independent tours in Alaska pre/post.

 

All in all, this does sound like a smart business move on Carnival's part. Airfare out of Anchorage is getting more expensive by the hour and flights into SEA are almost always cheaper than YVR. The more money guests save up front, the more they have for shore ex and activities onboard.

 

Next we'll have to see who, if anyone, tries to fill the hole in the market for Vancouver-Seward/Whittier mass market cruises. Anyone want to guess about NCL?

[bqkali]

Next we'll have to see who, if anyone, tries to fill the hole in the market for Vancouver-Seward/Whittier mass market cruises. Anyone want to guess about NCL?

 

NCL has already announced 2010 Alaska. The Pearl & Star will be continue doing cruises round-trip from Seattle. The Sun will be doing 7-day cruises between Vancouver & Whittier with varied ports to make for a more interesting B2B itinerary. Northbound will include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier; Southbound will be Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and College Fjord.

[brunolvr]

And here's the Seattle Port Authority news release:

 

Carnival Cruise Lines to Begin Seattle Service in 2010

Alaska bound 7-day cruises add to Port of Seattle's growing cruise business

 

 

 

The Port of Seattle can now claim Carnival Cruise Lines as the latest big name

cruise line to call in Seattle. For the first time ever, Carnival will operate a

schedule of seven-day Alaska cruises round-trip from Seattle beginning in May, 2010.

 

"The Port's cruise business generates nearly 2,400 jobs in King County," said Commission President Bill Bryant. "We are pleased to welcome Carnival as a partner."

 

Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,124 passenger Carnival Spirit will depart on Tuesdays from

May 11 to August 31 2010. The region benefits by the thousands of jobs the cruise

business creates.

 

"We're thrilled to welcome Carnival Cruise Lines to Seattle," said Tom Norwalk,

President & CEO of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Tourism Matters to

Seattle, King County and Washington State - and the Port of Seattle's investment in our

cruise infrastructure matters to the health and vitality of the tourism industry."

 

The Port of Seattle provides two downtown cruise terminals that offer convenience and

easy access to Seattle Tacoma International Airport. The Port's new Smith Cove Cruise

Terminal at Pier 91 will open on April 24th offering two 1200 foot berths and the world's

only facility equipped with two shore power plug-ins for cruise ships, while the Bell

Street Pier Cruise Terminal will continue to serve cruise passengers on Seattle's

downtown waterfront.

 

The cruise industry has a major impact on the local economy. In 2008, its annual

business revenue totaled $274 million, producing 2,380 jobs and $8 million in annual

state and local taxes. On a typical home port cruise day in Seattle the activity related to

the call contributes about $1.7 million to the local economy. In 2008, Seattle hosted 210

vessels and a record-setting 886,039 passengers which moved Seattle to the top spot for

Alaska cruises. In 2009, 211 cruise ships are expected to call at Port of Seattle terminals.

 

With the coming 2009 cruise season, the Port of Seattle will host Holland America Line,

Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International at the new Smith Cove Terminal at

Pier 91, and the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 will continue to serve Celebrity

Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruise passengers can now select from twelve

different ships going to Alaska or the Pacific Northwest.

[OrangeKitty]

Does this mean that Carnival will not offer a 7-night "northbound voyage" to Anchorage?? :eek:

 

If this is the case, which cruise lines (other than NCL) will offer this itinerary?

[OrangeKitty]

...my question is for 2010.

[qiangf2]

great. it means more options and maybe better price next year?

[bqkali]

Does this mean that Carnival will not offer a 7-night "northbound voyage" to Anchorage?? :eek:

 

If this is the case, which cruise lines (other than NCL) will offer this itinerary?

 

The other cruise lines have not released 2010 Alaska schedules yet, but it is very likely that the main cruiselines (HAL, Princess, Celebrity, RCCL) will all offer northbound/southbound cruises.

[anchorage1977]

The other cruise lines have not released 2010 Alaska schedules yet, but it is very likely that the main cruiselines (HAL, Princess, Celebrity, RCCL) will all offer northbound/southbound cruises.

 

It's a certain fact that these lines will continue on this route since they own so much land-based infrastructure for their cruisetours. The cruisetour business is big for these folks, although it never was for Carnival.