Carnival Cruise Lines Dramatically Expands Bermuda Presence in 2011

The Bermuda cruise season has barely begun for 2010, yet Carnival Cruise Lines is already looking forward to 2011 when it will dramatically expand its Bermuda cruise schedule. While it was pretty difficult in the past to gain entry into the market as part of the regular Bermuda “fleet,” times have changed and Carnival will offer 16 departures to the island from four popular eastern U.S. homeports—Baltimore, MD; Norfolk, VA; New York, NY; and, for the first time, Charleston, SC. Carnival will have the distinction of being the only cruise line offering Bermuda cruises from Charleston. The 16 Bermuda voyages, the most the line has ever offered, will encompass a variety of 6-, 7- and 8-day cruises from April through Nov 2011.

Carnival’s 2011 Bermuda departures include:

• Baltimore (7-day cruises on Carnival Pride): April 10 & 17, Sept. 18, Oct. 2, and Nov. 6
• New York (7- & 8-day departures on Carnival Miracle): April 14 & 21 and Sept. 11 & 27
• Norfolk (6-day sailing on Carnival Glory): Oct. 16
• Charleston, SC (6-day voyages on Carnival Fantasy): April 23, May 19, June 16, Aug. 25, Sept. 15, and Oct. 6

All 16 voyages will dock at King’s Wharf (pictured above), and while in Bermuda guests can sample the island’s many fine restaurants, shops and boutiques, and visit a number of interesting sites and landmarks. Six-day voyages will offer 2-day calls at King’s Wharf while 7- and 8-day cruises will feature 3-day visits. During their visit to Bermuda, guests can relax on the island’s legendary pink sand beaches and partake in a wide variety of watersports, including snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving. Shore excursions visiting historic sites such as the Royal Naval Dockyard and Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere, also are available. Through Carnival’s golf program, guests also can hit the links and play the island’s most challenging and beautiful courses.

“Bermuda is one of the world’s most desirable cruise destinations, and offering three different cruise lengths from four East Coast homeports provides our guests an unprecedented variety of choices for visiting this beautiful island paradise,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Reservations are currently open for the six Charleston departures with the line’s other Bermuda cruises expected to be open over the next few weeks. For additional information and reservations on Carnival’s Bermuda cruises, call 1-800-327-9501.

For more insight into Bermuda cruising, CruiseDiva.com takes a look at what to see and do in Bermuda Ports of Call.