Carnival sets South American itinerary for biggest ship

[OceanAngel]

Carnival Cruise Lines is stretching its sea legs again.

In 2005, when the FunShip line launched Carnival Liberty, it used the new vessel as a wedge to plant its first foot in the European cruise market.

Until then, Carnival had been staunchly home-based, delivering mostly domestic itineraries and ports in the nearby Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. Formidable as Carnival was — boasting nearly 20-plus glitzy ships in its fleet —it never had ventured overseas and was something of an anomaly in the cruise industry in that regard.

Now, with the introduction in July 2008 of its biggest ship —the 113,300-ton Splendor — Carnival announced plans to plant its other sea leg firmly in South America. It will offer a series of sweeping 14- to 18-day voyages to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru, beginning in January 2009, following the vessel's inaugural season of Europe and Caribbean sailings.

The initiation of Carnival into South America not only makes sense, but raises the question of why the line waited so long to extend its reach into waters just a stone's throw from its usual sun-filled playgrounds.

According to spokesman Vance Gulliksen: "Logistically it fit into the schedule perfectly as the ship sails the Caribbean and then heads for the West Coast. Since it's too large to fit through the Panama Canal, the South America cruises were an attractive option."

Carnival's president and CEO Bob Dickinson (who recently announced he will retire at year-end) believes the new itineraries will perk interest in South America and will appeal to both new and experienced travelers.

Splendor will inaugurate its South America series on Jan. 31, 2009, with a 17-day, six-port cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The itinerary includes calls to the tropical islands of Dominica and Barbados as well as daylong calls at four Brazilian cities — Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.

On Feb. 17, 2009, the 3,006-passenger ship will make a 14-day, six-port "Cape Horn/Strait of Magellan" cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile. The itinerary begins with an overnight in Buenos Aires, Argentina's cosmopolitan capital. Other highlights include calls in Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Punta Arenas, Chile, which lies at the entrance to the Straits of Magellan and is considered the gateway to Antarctica; and scenic cruising of Cape Horn, South America's southernmost point, and Chile's majestic fjords.

On March 3, 2009, Splendor embarks on an 18-day "Andes, Peru and Mexican Riviera" cruise from Valparaiso. Prior to crossing the Equator, the ship will visit Arica, Chile; Lima (Callao), Peru; Manta (Quito), Ecuador; and wind down with calls to Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Long Beach, Calif., before concluding in San Francisco.

In addition to breaking new ground in South America, Splendor also will break new ground in the fleet's maritime architecture. Its design boasts a 40,000-square-foot "wellness" area that includes a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center spanning the forward portion of two full decks and, for the first time, adjacent spa staterooms and suites. The 68 cabins in the new category will be accessible by private elevator and offer passengers exclusive amenities. Other firsts for Carnival: a thalassotherapy pool under a glass dome, and an elaborate thermal suite with four rooms offering varying degrees of warmth and coolness.

Splendor also will have the fleet's largest children's play area — 5,500 square feet — as well as a water-spray park and a midship pool under a sliding sky dome.

Even before setting out for its first South American port, Splendor will inaugurate Carnival's first-ever Northern Europe cruise program from London (Dover). These will be followed by a series of voyages to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles through Oct. 17, 2008.

After its far-flung journeys, Splendor will settle in for a year-round schedule of seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach.

Fares for Splendor's South America cruises start at $1,399 for 1