New Circle C Program Aimed At 12- To 14-Year-Olds Debuts Aboard Carnival's Fun Ships

[mercedes]

MIAMI (February 11, 2008) – Building upon its distinction as the family cruise leader, Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a new on-board program called “Circle C” aimed specifically at the 12- to 14-year-old age group, with expansive new clubs, a full schedule of activities and trained staff.

The “Circle C” program complements the line’s other youth-oriented programming, including “Camp Carnival” for younger kids and “Club O2” for 15- to 17-year-olds, which combined are expected to host 600,000 kids this year – the most in cruising.

In conjunction with the launch of “Circle C” – and just in time for summer travel planning - Carnival is offering exceptionally attractive rates for families, with prices for third and fourth guests in a stateroom starting at $199 per person for three-day cruises and $329 per person for seven-day cruises on select dates. These rates are featured at carnival.com/family, which also contains a variety of helpful information on Carnival's youth programs.

“Circle C” facilities are already in place on Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride, Carnival Victory and Carnival Valor with Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Glory scheduled to be retrofitted by the end of the year. The balance of the fleet is expected to be completed by 2010.

“Carnival has earned its position as the family cruise leader by investing significant research and resources into understanding kids’ unique vacation needs and expectations,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. “‘Circle C’ – with its high-tech spaces, fun-filled activities and energetic hosts – is a direct result of these efforts and reflects our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional vacations to guests of all ages,” he added.

Expansive ‘Circle C’ Facilities

The focal point of “Circle C” activities will be custom-designed clubs, providing 12- to 14-year olds a place to truly call their own.

The facilities feature a dance floor with high-tech sound and lighting system, along with 42-inch plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, and a touch-screen jukebox stocked with the latest hits. Also featured are gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles, with 20-inch plasma-screens positioned throughout the room and used exclusively for video gaming.

The facilities offer a sleek modern design created especially to appeal to younger teens, with a vibrant motif, oversized picture windows, and plush comfortable seating -- perfect for hanging out with new friends.

Special Activities

The “Circle C” program also offers a full schedule of activities, which include everything from sports such as basketball, volleyball, ping-pong and various water games to late-night movies and “swimming under the stars” pool parties. “Circle C” activities are listed in a special edition of Carnival Capers printed daily.

A new logo and branding campaign incorporating the “Circle C” theme of “cruise.chill.connect” has also been created.

‘Fun Ships’ Are Tops With Families

“Circle C” is just the latest enhancement to kid-friendly amenities aboard the “Fun Ships.” Children ages 2-11 can enjoy diverse activities and dedicated facilities of “Camp Carnival,” which continues to evolve with new 1,600-square-foot play areas on “Fantasy-class” ships and new programming fleetwide. For older kids, there’s the “Club O2” teen program featuring teen dance clubs, just for teens shore excursions, and more.

Also new is Carnival WaterWorks, an aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long twister water slide, dual-lane racing slides and water spray apparatus, currently rolled out as part of the “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program on select ships. Carnival Splendor, set to debut in July, will boast Carnival’s largest play area to date and a water spray park.

Other fleetwide features include babysitting services, stroller rentals, children’s menus, and a variety of spacious accommodation categories, with dozens of inter-connecting cabins -- ideal for large families or family gatherings.

Carnival is the world’s largest and most popular cruise line with 22 “Fun Ships” operating three- to 18-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America. The line currently has three new ships on order between now and 2011.