Carnival Splendor rounds the horn in 2009

[mickey02454]

For the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate voyages to South America with 14- to 18-day departures featuring extended visits to magnificent destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru aboard the new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor beginning in January 2009. Representing a new class of “Fun Ship,†the 3,006-passenger SuperLiner will offer a host of innovations including a luxurious 21,000-square-foot health club and the line’s first spa staterooms and suites.

Carnival Splendor will operate three special South America departures in 2009  a 17-day, six-port cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jan. 31-Feb. 17; a 14-day, six-port voyage from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile, Feb. 17-March 3, and an 18-day, six-port South America/Mexican Riviera cruise from Santiago (Valparaiso) to San Francisco March 3-21.

Carnival Splendor will become the first Carnival “Fun Ship†to operate a South American itinerary when it embarks on a 17-day, six-port cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires Jan. 31 - Feb. 17, 2009. The voyage, which will sail across two hemispheres with the crossing of the equator, will feature visits to the tropical islands of Dominica and Barbados as well as day-long calls at four spectacular Brazilian ports  Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, each of which offers a rich history with architecture dating back to mid-16th century, along with gorgeous beaches, outstanding restaurants and shops, and unique cultural experiences.

Following this voyage, Carnival Splendor will sail on a 14-day, six-port “Cape Horn/Strait of Magellan†cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso) Feb. 17 - March 3, 2009. The voyage begins with an overnight call in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital, then visits the charming cities of Montevideo, Uruguay; and Puerto Madryn, Argentina, followed by scenic cruising of historic Cape Horn - South America’s southernmost point. The voyage continues with a visit to Ushuaia, Argentina, a charming fishing village in the territory of Tierra del Fuego home to unique sub-Antarctic forests; another day of scenic cruising of Cape Horn/Beagle Island, and a call at Punta Arenas, Chile, which lies at the entrance to the Straits of Magellan and is considered the gateway to Antarctica. Highlighting this voyage is a day-long cruise of Chile’s majestic fjords and a visit to Puerto Montt, Chile, founded by German colonists in 1853 and boasts sparkling lakes and lush mountainous landscape.

Carnival Splendor will then operate an 18-day “Andes, Peru and Mexican Riviera†cruise from Santiago (Valparaiso) to San Francisco March 3-21, 2009. Prior to crossing the equator, Carnival Splendor will visit Arica, Chile, nestled in the Andes Mountains and founded in 1570, with exquisite collections of pre-Columbian artifacts; Lima (Callao), Peru, whose historic city center was declared a Word Heritage Site by UNESCO; Manta (Quito), Ecuador, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1534 and featuring the Monastery and Church of San Francisco, one of the oldest religious structures in the New World. The voyage concludes with visits to the popular destinations of Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Long Beach, Calif., before arriving in San Francisco.

The first in a new series, as well as the largest Carnival Cruise Lines ship ever constructed, Carnival Splendor will feature an innovative new design introducing a host of guest-driven features that will usher in an exciting new era in “Fun Ship†vacations, highlighted by a luxurious 21,000-square-foot spa.

Adjacent to the elegant and modern facility will be 68 spa staterooms and suites, which will be accessible by a private elevator and offer exclusive privileges and amenities for guests. Also featured within the spa will be the line’s first thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome and an elaborate thermal suite, with four rooms offering varying degrees of warmth and coolness.

Other features include a 5,500-square-foot children’s play area - the largest in the “Fun Ship†fleet - as well as a water spray park and a mid-ship pool covered by a sliding Sky Dome. The line’s signature amenities such as cell phone and Wi-Fi service, a reservations-only supper club and the Carnival Seaside Theatre - a massive LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming - will also be featured.

Prior to its new South America program, Carnival Splendor will launch the line’s first-ever Northern Europe cruise program from London (Dover) July 13, 2008, followed by a series of voyages to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles through October 17, 2008.

Carnival Splendor will then sail on a transatlantic voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Fort Lauderdale, positioning the vessel for a series of seven-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning November 22, 2008. The ship will then sail on the three South America voyages, then reposition to Long Beach to launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises beginning March 29, 2009, continuing the line’s expansion of its West Coast operations.

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[KimmyKat]

WOW! Those are some really cool cruises. Very different for Carnival. I am going to have to look into those.

[mercedes]

me too

[Chucksta63]

The Carnival Splendor will reposition to the West Coast by going around South America!

This gives Carnival a unique opportunity to offer this once-of-a-lifetime cruise opportunity to sail around South America on this UNIQUE one-of-a-kind ship! We will offer 3 distinct voyages, each with its own blend of sightseeing, history and culture. This will appeal to both experienced cruisers as well as first time cruisers! It will prove to be a must for our own repeat Carnival Guests.

After the 10 7-Day Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruises from Ft. Lauderdale ending with the Sat., Jan. 24, 2009 cruise, we will operate the following:

3 Special South America cruises from Jan. 31, 2009 through March 3, 2009

17 Day 6-Port From Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sat., January 31, 2009

14 Day 6-Port From Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile on Tues., February 17, 2009

18 Day 6-Port From Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile to San Francisco on Tues., March 3, 2009

DETAILED SOUTH AMERICA ITINERARIES:

17 Day 6-Port BRAZILIAN ADVENTURE Cruise

FROM FT. LAUDERDALE TO BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - SAT., 1/31/09:

Day Date Day Port Operation Arrive Depart

Saturday 1/31/09 Ft. Lauderdale Dock 4:00 PM

Sunday 2/1/09 1 "Fun Day" At Sea

Monday 2/2/09 2 "Fun Day" At Sea

Tuesday 2/3/09 3 Dominica Dock Noon 7:00 PM

Wednesday 2/4/09 4 Barbados Dock 7:00 AM 4:00 PM

Thursday 2/5/09 5 "Fun Day" At Sea

Friday 2/6/09 6 "Fun Day" At Sea

Saturday 2/7/09 7 Crossing The Equator ALL DAY CRUISING

Sunday 2/8/09 8 Fortaleza, Brazil Dock 7:00 AM 6:00 PM

Monday 2/9/09 9 "Fun Day" At Sea

Tuesday 2/10/0910 Recife, Brazil Dock 7:00 AM 6:00 PM

Wednesday 2/11/0911 "Fun Day" At Sea

Thursday 2/12/0912 Salvador, Brazil Dock 7:00 AM 4:00 PM

Friday 2/13/0913 "Fun Day" At Sea

Saturday 2/14/0914 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Dock 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Sunday 2/15/0915 "Fun Day" At Sea

Monday 2/16/0916 "Fun Day" At Sea

Tuesday 2/17/0917 Buenos Aires, Argentina Dock 9:00 AM

* Duration of all scenic cruising varies, is dependent on weather conditions and is subject to change

14 Day 6-Port CAPE HORN & STRAIT OF MAGELLAN Cruise

FROM BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA TO SANTIAGO (VALPARAISO), CHILE - Tues., 2/17/09:

Day Date Day Port Operation Arrive Depart

Tuesday 2/17/09 Buenos Aires, Argentina (embark)* Dock 1:00 PM -

Wednesday 2/18/09 1 Buenos Aires, Argentina - 5:00 PM

Thursday 2/19/09 2 Montevideo, Uruguay Dock 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Friday 2/20/09 3 "Fun Day" At Sea

Saturday 2/21/09 4 Puerto Madryn, Argentina Dock 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Sunday 2/22/09 5 "Fun Day" At Sea

Monday 2/23/09 6 Cape Horn Scenic Cruising**

Tuesday 2/24/09 7 Ushuaia, Argentina Dock 6:00 AM 6:00 PM

(Tierra Del Fuego)

Wednesday 2/25/09 8 Cape Horn Scenic Cruising**

Beagle Island Scenic Cruising

Thursday 2/26/09 9 Punta Arenas, Chile Anchor 6:00 AM 5:00 PM

(Strait of Magellan)

Friday 2/27/0910 Chilean Fjords Scenic Cruising**

Saturday 2/28/0911 Chilean Fjords Scenic Cruising**

Sunday 3/1/09 12 Puerto Montt, Chile Anchor 6:00 AM 6:00 PM

Monday 3/2/09 13 "Fun Day" At Sea

Tuesday 3/3/09 14 Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile Dock 7:00 AM

* Overnight aboard ship

** Duration of all scenic cruising varies, is dependent on weather conditions and is subject to change

18 Day 6-Port ANDES, PERU & MEXICAN RIVIERA Cruise

FROM SANTIAGO (VALPARAISO), CHILE TO SAN FRANCISCO - Tues., 3/15/09:

Day Date Day Port Operation Arrive Depart

Tuesday 3/3/09 Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile Dock 5:00 PM

Wednesday 3/4/09 1 "Fun Day" At Sea

Thursday 3/5/09 2 "Fun Day" At Sea

Friday 3/6/09 3 Arica, Chile Dock 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Saturday 3/7/09 4 "Fun Day" At Sea

Sunday 3/8/09 5 Lima (Callao), Peru Dock 7:00 AM 5:00 PM

Monday 3/9/09 6 Crossing the Equator

Tuesday 3/10/09 7 Manta (Quito), Ecuador Dock 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Wednesday 3/11/09 8 "Fun Day" At Sea

Thursday 3/12/09 9 "Fun Day" At Sea

Friday 3/13/0910 "Fun Day" At Sea

Saturday 3/14/0911 Acapulco, Mexico Dock 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Sunday 3/15/0912 "Fun Day" At Sea

Monday 3/16/0913 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Dock 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Tuesday 3/17/0914 "Fun Day" At Sea

Wednesday 3/18/0915 "Fun Day" At Sea

Thursday 3/19/0916 Los Angeles (Long Beach) Dock 9:00 AM 3:00 PM

Friday 3/20/09 17 "Fun Day" At Sea

Saturday 3/21/09 18 San Francisco Dock 8:00 AM