Carnival Spirit to Operate from the Port of Los Angeles

(July 1, 2010) -- Carnival Cruise Lines – the West Coast’s number one cruise operator – will return to the Port of Los Angeles when the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit launches a series of five- and nine-day Mexican Riviera voyages in fall 2011. This marks the first time the line has offered a regular program from the San Pedro cruise terminal in eight years.

Carnival Spirit will also offer two 15-day Hawaii sailings round-trip from Los Angeles and San Diego in 2011 and 2012, marking the first time the line has offered round-trip voyages to the Aloha State.

New Five- and Nine-Day Sailings from L.A.
Carnival Spirit’s new Los Angeles-based schedule will encompass 12 departures between September 2011 and January 2012.

Carnival also operates two ships year-round from nearby Long Beach, Calif. -- the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise, operating three- and four-day Baja cruises, and the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor, sailing week-long Mexican Riviera cruises. Carnival will be the only cruise operator to homeport three ships in the Los Angeles area, providing consumers with a wide variety of affordable cruise options in Southern California and the surrounding region.

Carnival Spirit’s five-day voyages will spend two days at the popular resort town of Cabo San Lucas, distinguished by its distinctive rock formations, lush landscape and gorgeous white-sand beaches, while nine-day departures will also feature a two-day call in Cabo San Lucas, as well as visits to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and La Paz.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular resort destination offering magnificent beaches and a host of shopping and dining experiences. Known as the Pearl of the Pacific, Mazatlan is famous for white-sand beaches, and myriad fishing and diving opportunities. La Paz offers an awe-inspiring waterfront with excellent beaches and an abundance of snorkeling and diving experiences.

New 15-Day Hawaii Voyages
For the first time, Carnival will offer 15-day Hawaii voyages round-trip from either Los Angeles or San Diego, providing consumers with a more convenient and cost-effective means for visiting the breathtaking island chain. Both departures include day-long stops at five spectacular ports: Hilo, Maui (Kahului), Honolulu, Kauai (Nawiliwili), and Kona.

Hawaii is home to a diverse array of landside experiences, offering guests an opportunity to visit interesting historical sites, explore volcanoes and other natural landmarks, and soak up the sun on some of the world’s best beaches.

Voyages operate round-trip from Los Angeles Dec. 2, 2011 and from San Diego April 13, 2012.

Signature ‘Fun Ship’ Amenities
The namesake vessel in the line’s Spirit-class, Carnival Spirit offers a host of guest-pleasing facilities and features, including a two-level promenade lined with themed bars, lounges, and nightspots, along with a 13,500-square-foot spa, indoor and outdoor promenades, and supervised programs for children in three age groups. Eighty percent of the ship’s staterooms offer either an ocean view or private balcony – perfect for viewing the passing scenery.

Carnival Spirit will continue to offer seasonal Alaska cruises as well as five- and nine-day Mexico cruises from San Diego this fall/winter and in 2012.

Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Spirit’s new five- and nine-day voyages from Los Angeles as well as the 15-day Hawaii voyages.

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Disney Wonder to Sail From California in 2011

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (March 30, 2009) – Disney Cruise Line announced today that it plans to reposition the Disney Wonder from its Florida base in Port Canaveral to the West Coast in 2011. The company is working with the Port of Los Angeles to finalize a two-year agreement with a three-year extension option. The contract will be considered by the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on April 2, 2009.

If approved, the new Disney Wonder sailings could generate more than 250,000 guests passing through the Port of Los Angeles over a five-year period.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he is pleased to welcome the renowned family cruise line back to the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro.

“Having Disney Cruise Line operating out of the Port of Los Angeles will provide a great boost to the local economy by generating business and tourism revenue in San Pedro and throughout the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “The return of Disney Cruise Line to our port speaks volumes about our ability to attract world-class cruise lines to the area.”

The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of the overall expansion plan for The Walt Disney Company. Two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will arrive in Florida’s Port Canaveral in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

“We are looking forward to returning to the Port of Los Angeles and offering our special brand of family cruises on the West Coast,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. “Having a Disney Cruise Line ship based in this region is something families on the West Coast have wanted for a long time, and we’re pleased to bring the Disney Wonder to Southern California in 2011.”

Disney Cruise Line has successfully tested the West Coast market with two summer seasons of Mexican Riviera itineraries from the Port of Los Angeles. The Disney Magic cruise ship first called on the West Coast during the summer of 2005 as part of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary and returned again during the summer of 2008. Disney Cruise Line has not yet announced the details of its itineraries for 2011.

Known for establishing family travel in the cruise market Disney Cruise Line continues to be a leader in the industry. The Disney Wonder was recently named the top large cruise ship experience by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the 9th annual “Reader’s Cruise Poll.” The Disney Magic, which was also ranked in the top five cruise experiences in the poll, will embark on a season of limited itineraries exploring Northern Europe and the Mediterranean in 2010. Additionally, the line continues to move forward on the construction of its two new ocean liners at the Meyer Werft yard in Germany

Mariner of the Seas Largest Ship Sailing From California - Year Round

The largest ship ever to offer cruise vacations from the West Coast arrived into Los Angeles today. At 1,020 feet long and 142,000 gross registered tons, Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas will sail year-round from the Port of Los Angeles offering a seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary with ports of call at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, Mexico. Mariner of the Seas is one of the cruise line’s Voyager class of ships, which revolutionized the cruise industry by introducing innovative amenities such the iconic rock-wall, an ice-skating rink, a full size basketball and sports court, an inline skating track and Royal Caribbean’s signature Royal Promenade, a boulevard of shops, restaurants, bars and lounges that runs nearly the length of the ship.

“We are excited to be introducing one of the industry’s most innovative ships to the West Coast giving more vacationers the opportunity to conveniently experience the Royal Caribbean difference,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “From the very beginning, we have been guided by the principles of ‘Why Not’ - why not ice-skate across the equator or why not rock climb 200 miles out at sea? With Mariner's arrival in Los Angeles, we invite West Coast travelers to the Nation of Why Not and ask them ‘why not go out and see, do and be more than they had ever thought possible on a vacation’."

Mariner of the Seas offers guests the chance to relax in the adults-only Solarium, swim in the two swimming pools or six whirlpools, or sunbathe in the main pool area, which served as the canvas for pop art sensation Romero Britto. Brittotransformed the 25,000 square-foot pool deck into an outdoor art exhibit replete with whimsical figures and playful patterns. This one-of-a-kind pool deck also features a side gallery chronicling this project from initial inspiration to final construction. Offering an experience that caters to active travelers or multigenerational family vacations, Mariner of the Seas also features a nine-hole miniature golf course, interactive golf simulator, the full-service Mariner Day Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

In the evening, guests can enjoy one of the16 bars and themed lounges and seven restaurants, including a 1950s-style Johnny Rockets Diner and Royal Caribbean’s signature specialty restaurants; Chops Grille steakhouse and Portofino Italian restaurant. Guests also can enjoy a myriad of entertainment options from top-rated Broadway-style productions in the Savoy Theatre to world class gaming in the Casino Royale.

Throughout, all guests will experience the line’s hallmark Gold Anchor Service, which helps make each guest vacation a unique and unforgettable experience with friendly and engaging service from the staff and crew.

For younger guests, Royal Caribbean’saward-winning Adventure Ocean youth program offers scheduled activities throughout the day that enriches and entertains kids. Teens have their own dedicated onboard areas such as Fuel, the teen disco; The Living Room, a place where they can relax and hang out with their friends; and The Back Deck, an outdoor lounge.

Mariner of the Seas will sail a seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary, round-trip from Los Angeles with ports of call at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan.