Saturday, June 27, 2009

How Popular Are Carnival’s West Coast Shorter Cruises?

They are very popular with Isaac Levy, who certainly knows a good thing when he sees it.

If you think you’ve accumulated an impressive past passenger record with Carnival Cruise Lines, think again. Isaac Levy, a 90-year-old resident of Redondo Beach, California, has been sailing on Carnival Cruise Lines’ 4-day Baja Mexico itinerary once a month for the past 14 years, dating back to when the cruise ship Holiday first began the program from Southern California in 1995.

Aside from taking an annual break from Carnival cruising during the summer, Levy has sailed on nearly one hundred 4-day “Fun Ship” Baja cruises, most recently on the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise which currently operates the program.

Levy (third from left) is pictured here with several members of the Carnival Paradise’s management team. Obviously they don't need to see his Platinum Sign and Sail card to know who he is! Carnival Paradise sails year-round from Long Beach, CA, offering 4-day cruises departing Mondays to Ensenada and Catalina Island and 3-day cruises departing Fridays to Ensenada.

Just in case you’d like to challenge Mr. Levy’s Carnival record, the cruise line is currently offering some exceptionally attractive rates on its shorter itineraries departing from Long Beach and San Diego. Carnival’s West Coast shorter cruise options, which start at an eye-popping low fare of $43 a day, include:
  • 3- and 4-day Baja cruises aboard the Carnival Paradise year-round from Long Beach. 3-day cruises departing Fridays call at Ensenada, while 4-day voyages departing Mondays visit Ensenada and Catalina Island. Early Saver rates start at $219 per person for 3-day cruises and $169 per person for 4-day cruises.
  • 3-, 4-, and 5-day Baja or Cabo sailings on the Carnival Elation year-round from San Diego. The 4-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada. 4-day cruises departing Mondays call at Ensenada and Catalina Island, while 4-day weekend cruises depart Thursdays and feature Cabo San Lucas. 5-day cruises departing Saturdays offer two full days in Cabo San Lucas, while 5-day cruises departing Mondays stop at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Early Saver rates start at $169 per person for 4-day and 4-day mid-week cruises; $259 per person for 4-day weekend cruises; and $299 per person for 5-day cruises.
Rates are based on double occupancy, reflect category 4 (interior) accommodations for select fall sailings, and are subject to change without notice. If you live in southern California, can you really afford to stay home?

2 comments:

Cruisedirector said...

When you consider the value, I don't think someone would want to do anything else if they're on the West Coast. It's true that the cruises don't go to any far off lands or anything like that but for a few hundred bucks you can getaway and have everything taken care of. Even in a "recession" people love a good value.

Linda Coffman, AKA Cruise Diva said...

I agree!

Best, Linda