The following is the text of a news release from the Port of New Orleans:
(MIAMI) — Carnival Cruise Line will expand capacity on its four- and five-day short cruise program from New Orleans by 34 percent when Carnival Triumph replaces Carnival Elation on this schedule next spring, providing an exciting Fun Ship 2.0-equipped ship on this highly popular itinerary.
Carnival Triumph will shift from Galveston to New Orleans to launch year-round four- and five-day cruises to Mexico beginning April 4, 2016. On this route, four-day “long weekend” cruises depart Thursdays and call at Cozumel while five-day cruises depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Cozumel and Progreso. During these fun and affordable getaways, consumers can relax on world-class beaches, enjoy a variety of dining, shopping and cultural opportunities and visit centuries-old Mayan ruins including Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Carnival Triumph will also offer a special three-day cruise round-trip from New Orleans April 8-11, 2016.
Carnival Triumph will join Carnival Dream which operates year-round seven-day cruises from New Orleans. Together these two ships are expected to carry 450,000 guests annually from New Orleans — the most of any cruise operator. Carnival is the only cruise line to operate two year-round ships from New Orleans and offers the widest variety of cruise durations and itinerary choices from the Big Easy.
Carnival Triumph has undergone an extensive dry dock that added a number of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations, including Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri, poolside watering holes BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar, the BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery, cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, and Cherry On Top, a “candy and more” store. Carnival Triumph also features more than 500 staterooms and suites with private balconies that are not generally available on other short cruises and are highly coveted by Carnival guests.
“New Orleans is one of our fastest-growing cruise markets and deploying Carnival Triumph not only expands capacity on this highly attractive short cruise program but also provides our guests with a variety of on-board innovations and our valued travel agents with an exciting new choice to market to their clients,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president.
"The repositioning of the Carnival Triumph illustrates the popularity of year-round cruising from New Orleans and Carnival Cruise Line’s confidence in the Crescent City," said Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange. "This news means roughly an additional 800 passengers sailing from New Orleans every four or five days on a ship with the latest amenities, including 500 private balconies and expanded restaurant and lounge offerings. Carnival continues to expand its capacity in New Orleans and they are truly a great partner for the port and the city's tourism and hospitality industry."
