Carnival Corporation added its 100th cruise ship to its fleet today with the delivery of the Carnival Magic. This photo illustration provided by Carnival Cruise Lines depicts the new vessel along with the company’s first ship, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Mardi Gras which began service in 1972. At 130,000 gross tons, the Carnival Magic is almost five times the size of the Mardi Gras’ 27,250 tons. Carnival Magic stretches 1,004 feet in length with a beam of 158 feet and a capacity of 3,690 guests compared to the Mardi Gras’ 650-foot length and 86.5-foot beam and passenger capacity of 906.In recognition of this achievement, on April 29 all guests sailing aboard Carnival Corp’s 100 ships will enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at dinner to commemorate this historic and unprecedented milestone. All told, more than 227,000 guests across the company’s 10 cruise brands will participate in the toast, believed to be the largest celebration of its kind at sea.
On a personal note, my first Carnival cruise was on the Mardi Gras, sailing a 4-night Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale more than two decades ago. As I remember it fondly, I look forward to embarking on Carnival Miracle for her maiden sailing.
After a 30+ career in the US Navy, mostly sea duty, the last thing I wanted to do upon retirement was take a cruise. To appease my long suffering wife, we cruised on a Mardis Gras size ship with a long since defunct company. Enjoyed it very much. Knew everyone's name by the second evening. A succession of cruises on progessively more 'with it' ships over the past two decades have, with the exception of Disney and Regency, been downhill. Build some true ships for those who love time on the ocean and leave the rest to the theme parks.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see that as well. The Mardi Gras was a special little ship, even if the cabin was tiny and I had to stand on a twin bed to see out the porthole.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should try another one of the smaller, more upscale ships that sail from south Florida in the winter months. I really liked Seabourn last year. Since your Regent experience was favorable, I think you'd enojoy Seabourn or Silversea.
Linda