The fleet and home ports of Carnival Cruise Line
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Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship is the 3,936-passenger Carnival Vista, which debuted in May 2016. At 133,500 tons, it's Carnival's biggest ship ever and the first of the line's new Vista Class of vessels. It sails to the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas and Miami.
Danny Lehman
A sister ship to Carnival Vista to be called Carnival Horizon is scheduled to debut in 2018. Like Vista, it'll measure 133,500 tons and carry 3,936 passengers, based on double occupancy.
Carnival Cruise Line
Unveiled in 2012, the 128,000-ton Carnival Breeze is the newest of Carnival's three Dream Class vessels, which began rolling out in 2009. Shown here in St. Thomas, it carries 3,690 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails to the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas and Port Canaveral, Fla.
Danny Lehman
Unveiled in 2011, the 3,690-passenger, 128,000-ton Carnival Magic is the second of Carnival's three Dream Class vessels. Shown here in Key West, Fla., it sails to the Caribbean from Miami.
Danny Lehman
Sailing since 2009, the 3,646-passenger,128,000-ton Carnival Dream is based year-round in New Orleans. It was the first of Carnival's three Dream Class vessels to debut.
Andy Newman
Unveiled in 2008, the 3,012-passenger, 113,000-ton Carnival Splendor is the only member of Carnival's Splendor Class of vessels. Originally designed for sister line Costa Cruises (where it would have been called Costa Splendor), it was transferred to Carnival during construction.
Carnival Cruise Line
The 2,974-passenger, 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom is the newest of five Conquest Class vessels that Carnival debuted between 2002 and 2007. Shown here docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it currently sails to the Caribbean out of Galveston, Texas.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/CCL
Dating to 2005, the 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty is the second oldest of Carnival's five Conquest Class vessels. It carries 2,974 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails to The Bahamas out of Port Canaveral, Fla.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
The 2,974-passenger, 110,000-ton Carnival Valor is another Conquest Class vessel that debuted in 2004. It sails to the Caribbean out of Galveston, Texas.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CCL
Dating to 2003, the 2,974-passenger,110,000-ton Carnival Glory is the second oldest of Carnival's five Conquest Class vessels. It sails to the Caribbean out of Miami.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Unveiled in 2002, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest is the oldest of Carnival's five Conquest Class vessels, which debuted between 2002 and 2007. It carries 2,974 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CCL
Dating to 2004, the 88,500-ton Carnival Miracle is one of four Spirit Class vessels that Carnival rolled out between 2001 and 2004 that often are assigned to the line's more far-flung itineraries. The 2,124-passenger ships have pools that can be covered with sliding glass domes and other design features that give them an advantage in destinations with inclement weather.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CCL
Sailing since 2002, the 2,124-passenger, 88,500-ton Carnival Legend is the second oldest of Carnival's four Spirit Class ships. It specializes in voyages to Alaska and Hawaii from several ports.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CCL
The 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride sails year-round out of Baltimore to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean. Unveiled in 2001, it is one of Carnival's four Spirit Class ships.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Also unveiled in 2001, the 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit was the original vessel in Carnival's Spirit Class. It carries 2,124 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails in Australia.
Carnival Cruise Line
Unveiled in 2000, the 101,509-ton Carnival Victory is one of two Triumph Class ships in the Carnival fleet. The 2,754-passenger vessel sails to The Bahamas and Caribbean out of Miami.
Carnival Cruise Line
The 101,509-ton Carnival Triumph is the namesake for Carnival's two-ship Triumph Class. Sailing since 1999, it operates trips to the Caribbean from New Orleans.
Carnival Cruise Line
The 102,853-ton Carnival Sunshine is the only member of Carnival's Sunshine Class of ships. It originally debuted in 1996 as Carnival Destiny but was renamed in 2013 following a massive makeover. At the time of its debut, it was the largest cruise ship ever built and, notably, the first passenger vessel to exceed 100,000 tons.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/CCL
The 70,367-ton Carnival Paradise is one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class vessel, which date to the 1990s. Built in 1998, it carries 2,056 passengers and sails to the Caribbean out of Tampa.
Carnival Cruise Line
The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Elation sails to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean out of Jacksonville, Fla. Unveiled in 1998, it's one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class vessels, which date to the 1990s.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CCL
The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Inspiration sails to the West Coast of Mexico from the Los Angeles area. It's one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class vessels.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/CCL
Also sailing to Mexico from the Los Angeles area is the 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Imagination. Shown here in the Turks & Caicos Islands, it's one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Classs vessels and first debuted in 1995.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line
The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Fascination sails to the Caribbean from Barbados and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dating to 1994, it is one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class vessels.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line
The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Sensation sails to The Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami. Dating to 1993, it's one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class ships.
ANDY NEWMAN, ANDY NEWMAN/CCL
The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Ecstasy sails to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean from Charleston, S.C. Christened in 1991, it's one of eight Fantasy Class vessels at Carnival.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line
Unveiled in 1990, the 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Fantasy is the oldest of Carnival's 25 ships. Now based year-round in Mobile, Ala., it is the namesake for Carnival's eight-ship Fantasy Class of vessels.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/CCL
In addition to Carnival's current fleet of 25 ships, the line has operated several other vessels over its 45 year history. The very first was the 27,500-ton Mardi Gras, shown here in a photo illustration alongside one of the cruise company's most recently unveiled vessels, Carnival Magic. At 130,000 tons, Carnival Magic is almost five times the size of Mardi Gras.
Illustrated by Lorraine Turner/Carnival Corp.
Carnival's first newly built ship was the 36,674-ton Tropicale, shown here in a file photo from 1999.Unveiled in 1981, it sailed with the line until 2001, when it was transferred to Costa Cruises.
Chris O'Meara, Associated Press
A file photo from 1999 shows passengers disembarking Tropicale, one of Carnival's first ships.
Chris O'Meara, Associated Press
Another early Carnival ship that no longer is sailing for the line is the 47,262-ton Celebration. Built in 1987, it was in service at Carnival until 2008.
Carl Juste, Associated Press
Shown here in a file photo from 1995, Carnival's Celebration carried 1,896 passengers, based on double occupancy.
File photo
Carnival was one of the first lines to add water slides atop its ships, as seen here in a file photo of an early ship dating to the 1990s.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival reached a national audience in the 1980s with national advertisements featuring Kathie Lee Gifford, as seen in this frame grab from an advertisement that also featured Betty White.
File photo
One of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class cruise ships is docked on the Mississippi River near downtown New Orleans in 2005.
Ethan Miller
The Carnival Freedom is docked in Key West,
Fla., in this file photo taken on February 18, 2013.
Karen Bleier, AFP/Getty Images
After a major refit in 2015 at the BAE Systems Drydock in San Francisco, the Carnival Miracle now boasts many of Carnivals newly implemented 2.0 venues like the Alchemy Bar, Redfrog Pub and Skybox sports bar.
Peter Knego
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Cruise giant Carnival plans to resume sailings from Puerto Rico on Sunday, just three-and-a-half weeks after Hurricane Maria slammed the island.
Carnival on Monday said its San Juan-based Carnival Fascination will depart from the city late on Sunday on a seven-night Southern Caribbean voyage that features stops in Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts.
While many areas of Puerto Rico still are in the early stages of recovery from the storm, Carnival said an assessment of the terminal facilities, support services and local conditions in the San Juan area where the 2,056-passenger Fascination docks found it ready for cruise operations to resume.
More: What you need to know about cruises in the wake of Irma, Maria
"Our team’s visit this past week confirmed the Old San Juan area is ready to receive tourists," the line said in a notice to customers. "Many shops and businesses have returned to their normal business operations with more opening up every day."
In resuming cruises from San Juan, Carnival is joining Royal Caribbean, which already has restarted voyages from the city. Royal Caribbean's 3,114-passenger Adventure of the Seas departed San Juan on Saturday on its first regular sailing from the city since Maria hit.
In it notice to customers on Monday, Carnival suggested a speedy resumption of cruises from San Juan would help Puerto Rico's recovery.
"Like you, we were saddened to see the impact the recent storm had on Puerto Rico," Carnival said. "Tourism is very important to their economy, and with your help, we are pleased to play an important role in aiding their recovery efforts in a meaningful way."
Carnival canceled three successive sailings from San Juan after Maria hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20.
The itinerary that Fascination will follow once it leaves San Juan has been adjusted due to damage on other islands caused by Maria and Hurricane Irma. Grenada and Antigua are last-minute additions to the sailing, taking the place of St. Thomas and St. Maarten — the Dutch side of the island of St. Martin.
St. Thomas and St. Maarten were devastated by the hurricanes and remain closed to cruise ships for now.
Carnival on Monday said St. Thomas and St. Maarten would remain off Fascination's schedule through at least early December.
"We continue to evaluate our ability to return to St. Thomas and St. Maarten and will provide further updates to our guests scheduled to sail on December sailings and beyond once more information available," the line said.
Cruise ship tours: The early icons of the Carnival fleet
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Long before it grew into the world’s largest cruise line with its current fleet of 24 ships, Carnival Cruises sprung from relatively humble beginnings with three former British ocean liners that were converted for cruise service.
Peter Knego collection
Carnival’s very first ship, the 27,284 gross ton Mardi Gras, was originally Canadian Pacific Line’s Empress of Canada, a two class transatlantic liner that made off-season cruises.
Peter Knego collection
The Empress Of Canada was built by the famed Vickers-Armstrongs, Walker-on-Tyne shipyard at Newcastle Upon Tyne, England in 1961.
Peter Knego
Like all great liners of the day, the Empress of Canada was launched down a slipway. In contrast, today’s cruise ships are built in prefabricated sections that are welded together in vast drydocks that are flooded and then opened up to the sea.
Peter Knego collection
The Empress of Canada’s maiden voyage from Liverpool to Montreal began on April 24, 1961. The 650-by-86.5-foot ship carried 192 First Class and 856 Tourist Class passengers and was powered by steam turbines that drove twin screws at a top speed of 21 knots.
Peter Knego collection
In 1968, Canadian Pacific modernized its livery with stylized “C” funnel markings but the Empress of Canada would only serve for 3 more years before it ceased transatlantic and cruise operations.
Peter Knego collection
When the ship joined Carnival in 1972 as the Mardi Gras, the funnel imprint was only slightly altered. Carnival also kept the CP deck nomenclature for decades, which is why most of its current ships still have an Empress Deck.
Peter Knego collection
This post card view shows Mardi Gras as the ship appeared for most of its long career with Carnival. With the addition of new cabins and private facilities, the Mardi Gras carried 1,240 guests on regular weekly cruise service to the Caribbean. Credit:
Peter Knego collection
A far cry from today’s computer-operated cruise ships, the Mardi Gras‘ wheelhouse retained its vintage navigation equipment. The ship was manned by mostly Italian officers, veterans of companies like Italia, Lloyd Triestino and Adriatica, which had shut down their passenger services.
Peter Knego
The Mardi Gras was an immaculate vessel and featured tiered, teak-covered decks. There was one large outdoor pool on aft Empress Deck.
Peter Knego
Here is a view of the al fresco Lido Bar area on aft Promenade Deck.
Peter Knego
The Empress of Canada’s interiors were slightly modified when the ship became Mardi Gras. In addition to new furnishings and soft fittings, the glowing woodwork of the onetime Empress Room was covered in shiny wallpaper when the space was transformed into Mardi Gras’ Grand Ballroom.
Peter Knego collection
The space in the prior image was painstakingly restored in the ship’s final career as Apollon. When the wallpaper came off, lustrous hardwoods such as bubinga, willow and mahogany glowed once more. Note the Canadian maple leaf insets in the balcony’s nickel balustrade.
Peter Knego
In its early years with Carnival, the Flamingo Dining Room was revamped from Empress of Canada’s more staid tourist class restaurant with vivid red and tufted gold velvet soft fittings.
Peter Knego collection
Designer Joseph Farcus completely transformed the Flamingo Dining Room towards the end of the ship’s Carnival career with eye-popping colors and lighting.
Peter Knego
Unlike the dining room, the Carousel Lounge on aft Promenade Deck retained much of its vintage grandeur throughout the ship’s life. The Empress of Canada was built with remarkable woodwork that would never pass muster with today’s stringent SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations.
Peter Knego
Another space that remained virtually unchanged over the years was the double deck Cinema on Main and Upper Decks.
Peter Knego collection
The Mardi Gras had glass-enclosed promenades along the former first class Promenade Deck and the former tourist class Empress Deck. These were the inspiration for the “boulevards” linking the public spaces on Carnival’s current ships.
Peter Knego
The indoor Coral Pool was also left in its original configuration throughout the vessel’s long career. It was located in the belly of the ship on the aptly named Coral Pool Deck.
Peter Knego
Most of the Mardi Gras’ accommodation featured exquisite craftsmanship and materials, including some stunning wood veneers. This was a suite with separate sitting and sleeping areas.
Peter Knego
This is one of many beautifully paneled former first class staterooms with twin brass-framed portholes.
Peter Knego
Highly skilled artisans contributed to the ship’s original classical appointments. This is a close up of the etched glass panels in the former first class Mayfair Lounge, which was utilized as the Mardi Gras’ Showboat Club Casino.
Peter Knego
As Carnival began to introduce bigger, flashier ships, the Mardi Gras and its classic fleetmates gradually became outmoded.
Peter Knego
The Mardi Gras spent its final Carnival years sailing from Port Canaveral on three and four night cruises to the Bahamas.
Peter Knego
In 1993, the Mardi Gras was traded to Greek-owned Epirotiki Lines and subsequently chartered for gambling cruise service out of Texas as the Star of Texas before becoming the Lucky Star for Florida-based casino cruising. Neither venture was a success and the ship sailed to Greece, where it was laid up.
Peter Knego
After five idle years at Eleusis (near Piraeus), the ship was given a complete refit, renamed Apollon and chartered to UK-based Direct Cruises in 1999. In 2000, Apollon was returned to its owners (now operating as Royal Olympic Cruises) and given a dark blue hull for Aegean cruising.
Peter Knego
Royal Olympic struggled and eventually collapsed in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks and the Apollon was laid up and offered for sale along with several of its fleetmates. In 2003, it was purchased by Indian shipbreakers and subsequently demolished at Alang.
Peter Knego
The Mardi Gras (left) may have been the first Carnival ship but it was the Carnivale (right) that established the line as a cruise industry powerhouse. Both are shown at Port Canaveral prior to their departure from the Carnival fleet in late 1993.
Peter Knego
Like the Mardi Gras, the Carnivale was originally a Canadian Pacific liner. The ship was built in 1956 as the Empress of Britain for Liverpool-to-Montreal service.
Peter Knego collection
The Empress of Britain was built by the Fairfield shipyard at Govan, Scotland and launched by HM Queen Elizabeth II. The 25,516-gross-on vessel carried 160 first class and 984 tourist class passengers and was powered by steam turbines that drove twin screws at a 20-knot service speed.
Peter Knego collection
The ship’s interiors were typical of the post-war Odeon style, which was a more basic version of the pre-war Art Deco look, utilizing elements such as etched glass, brass, nickel and exotic hardwoods.
Peter Knego collection
This is a view of the Empress of Britain’s indoor pool, which remained largely unchanged throughout the ship’s career.
Peter Knego collection
With the Atlantic run in decline, in 1964, Canadian Pacific sold the Empress of Britain to Greek Line. The ship was rebuilt with a lido on its stern and rechristened by its namesake, Greece’s Queen Anna Maria, for U.S.-to-Mediterranean crossings and seasonal cruise service.
Peter Knego collection
In 1974, the Queen Anna Maria was laid up following the collapse of Greek Line. In 1975, the ship was purchased by Carnival Cruises and refitted for one class cruising, debuting in 1976 as the 950-passenger Carnivale.
Peter Knego
In addition to its full-sized indoor pool, the Carnivale had four outdoor pools and a generous amount of sunning space. Located on aft Sun and Sports Deck, this area was called the Lido Beach Club.
Peter Knego
In its early years with Carnival, many of the Carnivale’s beautifully paneled public spaces were left structurally intact, albeit with the addition of more vibrant soft fittings. This is a corner of the Riverboat Club Casino.
Peter Knego collection
The Carnivale’s Mardi Gras Nightclub was originally the Empress of Britain’s Empress Room. In an attempt to modernize the space, its exquisite marquetry paneling was covered up with shiny wallpaper.
Peter Knego collection
In the ship’s Queen Anna Maria conversion, a modern show lounge was added in the aft portion of Promenade Deck. During the Carnivale era, this space was called the Showroom.
Peter Knego collection
The Promenade Deck featured a full wraparound, glass-enclosed promenade that linked the majority of Carnivale’s public rooms.
Peter Knego
Carnivale’s former first class suites had wonderful woodwork, some of which was painted over to achieve a more modern look. This comfortable and spacious stateroom featured large, brass-framed picture windows.
Peter Knego
In 1990, Carnival decided to give the aging-but-still-viable Carnivale a complete stem-to-stern makeover. This is one of the ship’s wood paneled alleyways in its original configuration.
Peter Knego
This is what the Carnivale’s alleyways looked like after its 1990 transformation by marine architect Joseph Farcus.
Peter Knego
This is the Empress Deck foyer during the ship’s early Carnivale era.
Peter Knego
And this is what the Empress Deck foyer looked like after the 1990 refit.
Peter Knego
The Carnivale’s International Dining Room was paneled in beautiful maple and mahogany woodwork.
Peter Knego
The International Dining Room was unrecognizable after the 1990 refit. The ship’s subsequent owners would eventually tone down elements of the renovation.
Peter Knego
The Riverboat Club Bar was also drastically modernized in 1990, resembling the interior style of Carnival’s then modern fleet of ships.
Peter Knego
This is a view of the Carnivale’s Riverboat Club Casino after its modernization. Scant traces of woodwork, brass and etched glass paneling remained.
Peter Knego
In 1993, the Carnivale was renamed Fiesta Marina for Carnival’s short-lived, Spanish-speaking Fiesta Marina Cruises division. When that venture folded, the ship was sold to Epirotiki Lines in 1994 and renamed Olympic for Aegean cruise service.
Peter Knego
The Olympic’s new Greek owners were fond of its heritage as the onetime Greek flagship Queen Anna Maria. Much time and effort were spent to restore some of the ship’s original character, such as these intricate marquetry panels in the former Empress Room.
Peter Knego
In 1997, the Olympic was sold to Topaz International, who took it to an Eleusis (near Piraeus) drydock where it was further modernized with the addition of more cabins. The 1050-passenger ship was renamed The Topaz and chartered to British-based Thomson Holidays.
Peter Knego
In 2003, The Topaz was chartered to the Japanese-based Peaceboat organization, which deployed it on long cruises catering to Asian youth to help foster peace and global awareness.
Peter Knego
Even at the ripe old age of 50, The Topaz was beautifully maintained. The ship’s officers and crew even kept its museum-quality brass navigation equipment in perfectly polished condition.
Peter Knego
In 2010, stringent new SOLAS regulations would force any ship with woodwork in its construction from service. The Topaz was retired in 2008 and sold to Indian shipbreakers, who beached it for scrapping at Alang.
Peter Knego
When it debuted in 1978, Carnival’s Festivale was a game-changer. At 38,175 gross tons and with a speed of 22.5 knots, the Festivale was, for a short while, the largest, fastest ship regularly based in Caribbean cruise service.
Peter Knego
Like its two earlier Carnival fleetmates, the Festivale was originally a British-built ocean liner. The ship was delivered in 1961 as the all-one-class, 32,697 gross ton RMS Transvaal Castle for Union-Castle Lines’ U.K.-to-South Africa service.
Peter Knego collection
The Transvaal Castle was constructed at the John Brown and Company shipyard at Clydebank, Scotland. This famed yard built many celebrated ocean liners, including the first Queen Mary, the first Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Elizabeth 2.
Peter Knego
For its day, the lavender-hulled Transvaal Castle was spacious and well-appointed. In addition to 726 passengers, it carried cargo and mail, giving it the added distinction of being classed as a Royal Mail Ship.
Peter Knego collection
The Transvaal Castle’s interiors were designed by Jean Munroe, whose specialty was a French Regency-inspired decor that was all the rage in the U.K. at the time and is now often referred to as “chintz”.
Peter Knego collection
Here is another space on board the Transvaal Castle during its early heyday as a Union-Castle liner.
Peter Knego collection
This whimsical, gilt-laden lounge with its Byzantine arches and golden charioteer frieze on board the Transvaal Castle was decades ahead of some of today’s fantasy-inspired spaces.
Peter Knego collection
In 1966, the Transvaal Castle began trading under the name S.A. Vaal as a result of Union-Castle’s partnership with South African-based Safmarine but remained on U.K. to Durban run.
Peter Knego collection
By 1977, the new era of the jumbo jet and the containerization of cargo spelled the end of the traditional South African liner service. The S.A. Vaal was bought by Carnival Cruises and sent to Japan for a complete rebuilding as the Festivale at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard.
Peter Knego
The ship’s superstructure was expanded with additional public areas and accommodation and all cargo holds were filled with cabins. As the Festivale, it could carry 1,432 passengers.
Peter Knego collection
The rebuilt Festivale boasted wonderful sheltered forward decks. On Observation Deck, there was a large wading pool.
Peter Knego
There were two more pools in the aft portion of the ship, not to mention acres of beautifully maintained teak decking.
Peter Knego
The Tradewinds Club was originally an observation lounge on board the Transvaal Castle. After the Festivale conversion when a showroom was built in front of it, the windows were shuttered and the room was given a tropical ambiance.
Peter Knego
Few traces of the ship’s original interiors remained after its 1978 conversion for Carnival Cruises. The Festivale was Carnival’s first large-scale design project incorporating the vivid, glitzy style of Miami-based architect Joseph Farcus. This is the revamped Purser’s Square on Upper Deck.
Peter Knego collection
The Fanta-Z Disco was a state-of-the-art venue in the “Saturday Night Fever” era.
Peter Knego collection
With the advent of the Festivale, Carnival Cruises had entered its official “Fun Ship” period with a dazzle and style never before seen at sea. The Festivale’s Copacabana Show Lounge featured neon caricatures, vivid patterns and stimulating colors.
Peter Knego
The Continental Dining Room was located near the bottom of the ship on Main Deck.
Peter Knego
One of the few spaces spared complete alteration was the double-deck Cinema on Upper Deck.
Peter Knego
Another space that remained virtually unchanged throughout the ship’s life was the Library, which boasted rosewood veneers and chicken wire cabinet doors that were a throwback to the early “James Bond” era.
Peter Knego
In 1996, the Festivale was finally retired from the Carnival fleet. The majestic-looking ship found new life under charter to Dolphin Cruises as their popular IslandBreeze.
Peter Knego
In 1998, Dolphin Cruises merged with Premier Cruise Lines to form Premier Cruises, Inc, who purchased the ship from Carnival. For a short while, there were plans to give the IslandBreeze a dark blue hull but the ship retained its white livery while under charter to U.K.-based Thomson Holidays.
Peter Knego collection
In 2000, Premier Cruises renamed the ship the Big Red Boat III and placed it on a short-lived cruise service from Houston before filing for bankruptcy. The Big Red Boat III was arrested for debt and laid up with several of its Premier fleetmates at Freeport, Bahamas.
Peter Knego
The Big Red Boat III was offered for sale but the ship’s expensive-to-operate steam turbines left it no takers other than the Indian shipbreakers. As the Big Boat, it sailed to Alang and was subsequently broken up for scrap. This is a view of the former Festivale’s remains in March of 2004.
Peter Knego
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Cruise ship tours: Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Vista
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The 133,500-ton Carnival Vista carries a maximum of 4,980 passengers.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Beach Pool is one of three pools and also serves as Carnival Vista’s Seaside Theater.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The area surrounding the Beach Pool is three decks high to allow plenty of space for passengers, both shady and sunny.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Beach Pool is also a popular area because Guy’s Burger Joint is close by.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Guy's Burger Joint features a variety of freshly grilled burgers made a number of ways.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Open most of the day, Guy's Burger Joint is a Carnival passenger favorite.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Carnival Vista’s WaterWorks area features two water slides.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Both slides wind downward to the deck, sending riders in a circular motion.
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The Power Drencher is a giant bucket of water that fills rather quickly.
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Once full, the Power Drencher dumps on anyone below.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
A number of colorful water features.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
WaterWorks is a trademarked feature found on a number of Carnival ships.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Fun for all ages at WaterWorks.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SkyRide and SkyCourse are two more top-deck features.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SkyCourse is a ropes course with a variety of features.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SkyCourse takes a bit of agility to complete.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SkyCourse takes passengers high above deck - with a safety harness, of course.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SkyRide is a one-of-a-kind feature that takes riders on a trip high above the deck.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SkyRide may be closed during periods of high wind.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SportSquare has a variety of active lifestyle activities.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SportSquare has a full-size basketball court.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
SportSquare is within view of the ropes course too.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The full-size basketball court at SportSquare.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
There are abundant open deck spaces on the Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Arranged in multiple areas, there is always a deck chair available.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The aft pool is a popular place at sailaway and features twin whirlpool tubs.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Red Frog Pub & Brewery has an inviting inside entrance.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
RedFrog Pub & Brewery is the result of a unique collaboration between Carnival and Miami-based Concrete Beach Brewery.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Red Frog Pub & Brewery is the first brewery at sea in North America.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
An onboard brewmaster oversees the process of making Carnival’s three diffferent brews.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Brewed here: ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin’ IPA, ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat and FriskyFrog Java Stout.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin’ IPA offers aromatic, floral and hoppy notes with passion fruit and citrus overtone.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
In the Atrium of the Carnival Vista, a LED light funnel changes throughout the day.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The lobby area and LED light funnel, seen from two decks above.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The LED light funnel changes with the music being played at the time.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Not far away, another LED light funnel emanates from the casino bar below. This one is enclosed in glass to prevent cigarette smoke from filling the area.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The casino features all the popular games, including Wheel of Fortune.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
One of a number of banks of slot machines in the Carnival Vista casino.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The popular Cherry on Top candy store also has hand-crafted ice cream on the Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Cherry on Top is one of a number of retail venues that surround the casino’s LED funnel.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Carnival Vista’s Cherry on Top is the largest in the Carnival fleet.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Also in this area is Fahrenheit 555, the ship’s steakhouse.
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Across the hall from the steakhouse is the Alchemy Bar.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Not far away is also the quiet Library Bar.
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Bonsai Sushi is one of a number of specialty restaurants.
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All around the Carnival Vista, easy-to-read signage points passengers in the right direction.
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Cloud 9 Spa suites share a layout similar to other suites on the ship, with a light and airy decor.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Cloud 9 Spa suites feature double-sink bathrooms.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Family Harbor area is for families only.
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The Family Harbor lounge is a close-by place for families to gather.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Family Harbor lounge also serves breakfast.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor-area inside staterooms are roomy.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor oceanview staterooms feature big windows.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor Cove balconies are large.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor quad inside cabins feature bunk beds.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor suites invite the entire family to share a cabin in comfort.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor suites are roomy.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor accommodations feature split bathrooms, one with a bath and the other with a shower.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Family Harbor suites have a shower in one bathroom and a tub in another.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
A convenient mailbox is outside each cabin on the ship.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
A standard balcony cabin has a sofa.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
A standard balcony cabin offers a desk, television and refrigerator too.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Another view of the standard balcony cabin.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Balcony cabins also have a large mirror above the desk.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Cabins feature USB ports on the desk.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Ocean suites feature a large TV and comfortable sofa.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Ocean suite bathrooms feature a double sink and plenty of storage.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Ocean suite bathrooms feature a full-size tub and shower.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Fast Internet brings a number of advantages on Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The FunHub offers a variety of online entertainment options.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The digital photo gallery enables passengers to see all their photos in one place.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The FunHub app is a must to download before boarding.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Like the Spa area of the ship, the Havana cabins also have a character of their own.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Havana suites feature light and airy Caribbean-themed decor.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Havana suites open up onto an ocean-facing lanai.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Havana suites may just keep passengers from leaving their cabin - they are that nice.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Havana suite balconies.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana suite is a decidedly different stateroom on Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana suite shower is roomy.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Havana suites feature double-sink bathrooms.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Not far from Havana staterooms is the Havana Bar.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar features a number of little seating nooks.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Comfortable chairs in the Havana Bar.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar has a variety of seating options.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar invites guests to linger.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar is one of the most thoughtfully decorated spaces on the Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar also has an area that actually looks like a bar.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar is host to Cuban music from time to time.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar specializes in custom Caribbean-themed rum drinks.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Havana Bar has some of the best music on the ship.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Close to the Havana Bar is the Seafood Shack.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Seafood Shack features a number of fresh fish dishes.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Seafood Shack is also a walk-up dining venue accessible from the aft pool.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Abundant shopping options are available in a number of stores on the Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Carnival Vista also features a Carnival logo wear shop.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Camp Ocean is one of a variety of youth program opportunities available on the Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Clubhouse is another youth activity area.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Lido Marketplace is the ship's buffet area.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Lido Marketplace, like many other venues on board, has Caribbean-themed decor.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Also featured in the Lido Marketplace - as well as the Red Frog Pub - are self-serve beer stations.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Something fresh is always being carved in the Lido Marketplace on the Carnival Vista.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
The Serenity adults-only area of the Carnival Vista is the highest public space on the ship.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Ji Ji Asian Kitchen is one of the best dining venues onboard.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Ji Ji is also a culinary lesson in Asian cuisine.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Potstickers are a passenger favorite at Ji Ji Asian Kitchen.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Also featured on the Carnival Vista is the first-ever IMAX Theatre at sea.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
Carnival Vista’s IMAX Theatre brings a unique land experience to sea.
Chris Owen for USA TODAY
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