Carnival Cruises to the 'Seven Wonders of the Caribbean'

[CanadianCruiser]

MIAMI, July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The recent announcement of the

selection of the new Seven Wonders of the World has generated much

controversy and commentary. But there's little doubt that Carnival Cruise

Lines' "Seven Wonders of the Caribbean" capture the very best of the

region's unique historical, natural and cultural offerings.

Carnival is the industry leader in Caribbean cruising carrying

approximately 3 million guests annually to this spectacular region of the

world. Carnival's commitment to the Caribbean includes the deployment of 18

ships, including 15 vessels that offer year-round Caribbean departures.

Carnival offers the widest variety of Caribbean itineraries and features

more visits to the Seven Wonders of the Caribbean than any other cruise

line.

"While seeing the Seven Wonders of the World may be out of reach for

many vacationers, Carnival provides fantastic and affordable journeys to

the Seven Wonders of the Caribbean, which is the world's most popular

cruise destination," said Terry Thornton, Carnival's vice president of

marketing planning.

The Seven Wonders of the Caribbean featured on Carnival's shore

excursions include Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

System, El Morro Castle in San Juan, the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Trunk Bay

Beach in St. John, the Panama Canal and The Baths in Virgin Gorda.

Chichen Itza

Not only is Chichen-Itza one of Carnival's Seven Wonders of the

Caribbean, it also made the official list of the new Seven Wonders of the

World. Chichen- Itza was a sacred city of the Itza, and the archaeological

site is rated among the most important of the Maya culture. Chichen-Itza

covers an area of approximately six square miles, and hundreds of buildings

once stood on the sacred grounds. Possibly the best known structure on the

site is Kukulkan's Pyramid - a square-based, stepped pyramid that is 75

feet tall. The tour to Chichen-Itza is offered on all of Carnival's cruises

that visit Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico.

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System

The longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second

largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System

stretches from the southern half of the Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay

Islands of Honduras. A diver's paradise, it is known for fascinating coral

formations, abundant sea life and extraordinary water clarity. Guests have

the opportunity to dive and snorkel on the reef on Carnival's cruises that

call at Roatan, Honduras, and Belize.

El Morro Castle

Fort San Felipe del Morro - or El Morro Castle - is a 16th-century

citadel that lies on the northwestern-most point of the islet of San Juan,

Puerto Rico. Construction at El Morro started in 1539, and many additional

new structures were added over the next 400 years. The fort was designed to

guard the entrance to San Juan Bay and defend the city from enemies. In

1983, the fort was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.

Guests can visit El Morro Castle on Carnival cruises that depart from or

visit San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Tulum

Tulum is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a

major port for Coba, and it appears to have been an important site for the

worship of the Descending God. While an inscription dated 564 has been

found at the site, most of the structures now visible were built between

1200 and 1450. The city remained occupied through the early years of the

Spanish conquest of Yucatan, but was abandoned by the end of the 16th

century. Tulum can be visited on Carnival's calls to Calica and Cozumel,

Mexico.

Trunk Bay Beach

With powdery white sand and a border of coconut palm trees, Trunk Bay

Beach on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands is renowned as one of the most

beautiful and photogenic beaches in the world. A highlight for Trunk Bay

visitors is the 650 feet of underwater snorkel trails through the turquoise

waters that exhibit a variety of marine life. Guests on cruises that call

at St. Thomas have an opportunity to visit St. John's Trunk Bay.

Panama Canal

Cutting through the heart of Central America, the man-made Panama Canal

opened in 1914, shaving some 9,000 miles from the trip around Cape Horn.

Today, the engineering marvel continues to connect the Atlantic and Pacific

oceans. A series of locks raise and lower each ship, making the transit

possible. On cruises that call at Colon, Panama, guests can fish in Gatun

Lake, go kayaking or take a ferry transit of the canal.

The Baths

For snorkelers, sunbathers and explorers alike, The Baths in Virgin

Gorda represent the perfect natural attraction. The Baths is a small beach

framed by giant boulders that visitors climb through to get to a

boulder-harbor. With hidden rooms filled with streams of light, coral

ledges and caves, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water, many say it's

the best reason to visit Virgin Gorda. Cruises that call at Tortola,

B.V.I., offer the opportunity to see The Baths.

And while they didn't make the short list of the Seven Wonders of the

Caribbean, there are several more destinations and attractions in the

region included on Carnival's cruise itineraries that deserve honorable

mentions:

El Yunque Rainforest

El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. The

intrigue of visiting the El Yunque Rainforest is only partly in the

observation of the varieties of plants that have managed to grow and adapt

to the abundant amounts of year-round rainfall. El Yunque can be visited

from the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Basilica at Higuey

The Higuey Basilica located near La Romana, Dominican Republic is the

center of religious activity in the area and one of the Caribbean's finest

examples of modern religious architecture. The Basilica was named a

national monument by the Dominican government and declared a minor basilica

by Pope Paul IV. To highlight the architecture, a lighting scheme was

completed in September 2002 that bathes the gray concrete in bright color

from sunset to midnight.

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins

The first human inhabitants of the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins date back as

far as 1000 B.C., though evidence found during excavation show that most of

the ruins there now date back to around 360 A.D. The city remained

continuously inhabited until its decline around 700 B.C. Eventually it was

abandoned and reclaimed by the lush jungle, keeping its mysteries a secret.

Guests can visit the ruins on cruises that call at Costa Maya, Mexico.

[Ol39Capt]

Thanks for that info...I knew some of the things about the Myan's but the other places, some are new to me...

I love my T/A....on the ball....

[CanadianCruiser]

I love you too Frank or Should I call you Candy ?

[mickey02454]

Oh geez....get a room!!

[Ol39Capt]

Hey Bill....ya got to suck up every now and then....you know a few more perks...longer bar parties....bigger totes....maybe even extra thongs.....

[CanadianCruiser]

LMAO....

it works ....... Trust me

[Ol39Capt]

SEEE.....I Love my T/A....

[CanadianCruiser]

And flowers too........ Awe......