Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest and most successful cruise line in the world, carrying more passengers than any other. 

But “Today’s Carnival” is a vastly different company than the one started from humble beginnings nearly four decades ago. Carnival was launched with a converted trans-Atlantic ocean liner and a dream of entrepreneur Ted Arison, a pioneer in the modern-day cruise industry who set out to realize his vision of making a vacation experience once reserved for the very rich accessible to the average person.

The rest, as they say, is history.

THROUGH THE YEARS . . .

1972 – Maiden voyage of Carnival’s first ship, the TSS Mardi Gras, which runs aground on sandbar outside the Port of Miami

1975 – Carnival purchases Empress of Britain, enters service as the TSS Carnivale

1978 – The Festivale, formerly the S.A. Vaal, undergoes $30 million refurbishment, begins service for Carnival as the largest and fastest vessel sailing from Miami to the Caribbean (the ship has since been retired from the fleet)

1982 – Debut of the Tropicale, the first new cruise ship the cruise industry has seen in many years; ship marks the beginning of an industry-wide multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding boom (the ship has since been retired from the fleet)

1984 – Carnival becomes first cruise line to advertise on network television with the premiere of new advertising campaign starring company spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford (then Johnson)

1985 – Debut of 46,052-ton Holiday

1986 – Launch of 47,262-ton Jubilee (the ship has since been retired from the fleet)

1987 – The 47,262-ton Celebration enters service (ship to leave fleet in April 2008)

Carnival earns distinction as “Most Popular Cruise Line in the World,” carrying more passengers than any other

Carnival Cruise Lines undertakes its initial public offering on Wall Street, raising approximately $400 million to fuel future expansion; entity later becomes Carnival Corporation & plc, a multi-line worldwide cruise conglomerate

1990 – The 70,367-ton Carnival Fantasy – the first and namesake vessel in the highly successful “Fantasy-class” — enters service as first new ship ever placed on three- and four-day Bahamas cruise program from Miami. Eventually, Carnival would construct eight “Fantasy-class” vessels, the most cruise ships in a single class.

1991 – Launch of 70,367-ton Carnival Ecstasy

1993 – Carnival introduces its third 70,367-ton SuperLiner, Carnival Sensation

1994 – Debut of 70,367-ton Carnival Fascination

Carnival’s parent company renamed Carnival Corporation to distinguish between it and its flagship brand, Carnival Cruise Lines. Company is later renamed Carnival Corporation & plc following the combination with P&O Princess Cruises, creating the world’s largest cruise vacation group by far.

1995 – 70,367-ton Carnival Imagination enters service

1996 – Carnival’s launches sixth “Fantasy-class” vessel, the SuperLiner Carnival Inspiration

Carnival debuts the first passenger vessel to exceed 100,000 tons, the 101,353-ton Carnival Destiny, at the time the world’s largest cruise ship

1998 – Carnival Cruise Lines introduces seventh “Fantasy-class” vessel, the Carnival Elation, the first new cruise ship deployed on the West Coast 

The eighth and last in the “Fantasy-class” series, the Carnival Paradise, enters service

1999 – Debut of the 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph, Carnival’s second “Destiny-class” vessel

2000 – A third “Destiny-class” vessel, the 102,000-ton Carnival Victory, is launched.

2001 – Carnival introduces a new class of vessel with the launch of the 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit, the first new “Fun Ship” ever positioned in the Alaska and Hawaii markets

2002 – A second “Spirit-class” vessel, the Carnival Pride, is launched

Carnival’s third “Spirit-class” ship, Carnival Legend, enters service

Debut of the 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest, at the time the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed. 

2003- Second 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” ship, the Carnival Glory, begins year-round seven-day cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla., July 19.

2004 – Carnival Miracle, the fourth in Carnival’s “Spirit-class,” begins a series of 12 voyages from Jacksonville, Fla. – the first “Fun Ship” sailings from that port – Feb. 27, 2004.

A third 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” ship, the Carnival Valor, begins year-round seven-day service from Miami Dec. 19, 2004, becoming the largest “Fun Ship” ever based at that port.

2005 – A fourth 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” vessel, Carnival Liberty, debuts July 20, 2005, operating Carnival’s first-ever Mediterranean cruises.

2007 – Carnival Freedom, the line’s fifth 110,000-ton vessel, debuts in Europe, operating by 12-day voyages to the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and Turkey.

2008 - The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor debuted in July 13, 2008, operating Carnival’s first Northern Europe cruise program.  The ship launches year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises in March 2009.

2009 – Carnival Dream, a 130,000-ton vessel to be the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed – is scheduled to enter service Sept. 21, 2009, beginning a new class of vessel for the line.

2011 - A second 130,000-ton SuperLiner, Carnival Magic, is slated to debut in June 2011.

Carnival Cruise Lines, the world?s largest cruise operator, will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009.

The new program kicks off September 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port.

Baltimore?s first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries. Exotic Eastern Caribbean departures will call at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, The Bahamas; while Bahamas/Florida departures visit Port Canaveral, Fla.; and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.

It is expected that the  Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports ? the most of any cruise operator.

We’re thrilled to introduce the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore aboard the Carnival Pride , a truly magnificent Fun Ship that will visit a wide range of tropical destinations from one of America’s most historic cities, said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. Today’s consumers are more value-conscious than ever and considering that Baltimore is within a day’s drive for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents, these new seven-day voyages provide a convenient and affordable vacation option, he added.

This is tremendous news for the Port of Baltimore and our State, said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. Year-round cruising will allow the 40 million people that live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore to look beyond the traditional cruising seasons and sail throughout the year. Carnival Cruise Lines  is internationally recognized as one of the finest cruise ship operators in the industry and we are happy to welcome their ?Fun Ship? to Maryland.?

Year-Round Cruising From Baltimore 
Carnival Pride year-round seven-day cruises from Baltimore will visit popular destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida.

Carnival Pride Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore feature Grand Turk, a 10.5-square-mile island paradise which, in addition to a rich history, offers crystal-clear waters that attract snorkelers and divers the world over. Ships dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, a modern facility offering an 800-foot-long private beach, a Margaritaville-themed restaurant and a variety of retail shops. Also featured is Half Moon Cay, a crescent-shaped private island offering beautiful beaches and a diversity of watersports opportunities, along with a children?s aqua park and beachside cabanas. The third destination on this itinerary, Freeport, The Bahamas, is the island chain?s second largest city with excellent shopping at the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, along with stunning beaches and exciting golf opportunities.

Seven-day Bahamas/Florida cruises call at Port Canaveral, located on Florida?s Space Coast and in close proximity to Orlando-area theme parks and attractions, as well as the world famous Kennedy Space Center. Visitors also enjoy the area?s gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Other ports include Nassau, the historic Bahamian capital known for its outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. During their visit in Nassau, guests can tour a variety of historical sites, including centuries-old forts. A daylong visit to Freeport rounds out this itinerary.

Special Six-Day Voyage from Baltimore
Prior to the start-up of year-round seven-day cruises,  Carnival Pride will operate a special one-time six-day departure round-trip from Baltimore September 7-13, 2009. Featured ports on this voyage include Freeport and Port Canaveral.

Fun Ship Carnival Pride
The 88,500-ton Carnival Pride offers a host of facilities and features, including indoor and outdoor promenades, a wedding chapel, and an elegant reservations-only supper club located at the top of a soaring nine-deck-high atrium and accessible by a glass staircase, just one of several different dining venues on board.

Other features include a ship-long promenade with a variety of lounges, bars and nightspots, including a multi-level theater showcasing lavish production revues. Family friendly amenities include organized programs for three different age groups Camp Carnival for younger kids, Circle C for 12- to 14-year-olds, and Club O2 for older teens  with supervised activities and expansive facilities for each.

 Carnival Pride also offers a variety of accommodations including a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites ? perfect for scenic cruising. All Carnival Pride accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Carnival Pride also houses an Internet Cafe along with ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service.

Reservations
Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Pride‘s new departures from Baltimore. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, along with round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways and pre- and post-cruise Baltimore land stays, are also available.

For additional information and reservations call 1-877-325-7522.