Alicea Steuart from Carnival Cruise Line
There are some exciting things happening at Carnival Cruise Line! We recently talked with Alicia Stewart about what’s new with Carnival.
Waterworks on the new Carnival Dream
FamilyTravelGurus: I understand Carnival has two new ships coming out in 2009. Tell us about the Carnival Splendor and Carnival Dream.
I am thrilled to talk about the Carnival Splendor and Dream as they have some exciting new features for Carnival. You are going to see a BIG influence of the spa on these ships among many other things. The Carnival Splendor is similar to our Conquest class ships with extra tonnage which allowed us to create some new opportunities. She is 113,000 tons (not that a woman ever wants us to know her weight) and has 40,000 square feet devoted to the spa including 68 designated spa staterooms. Guests who purchase these rooms get to meet with a spa concierge to have priority spa treatments and receive complimentary access to the Thalasso Therapy pool and treatment rooms during their stay. They have private access to the spa and are given special spa amenities as well as complimentary fitness classes. We also have private deck space whereby our guests can reserve cabanas while at sea. This ship has an Adult’s Only Serenity area on deck as well as a separate section dedicated to kids. They can enjoy one of the largest water parks at sea along with the Camp Carnival activity center.
The Carnival Dream is slightly larger at 130,000 tons and with this ship you will get all of the features previously mentioned as well as family staterooms that hold up to 5 in the room, 2 decks of dining and entertainment outside in the Lido area, cantilevered whirlpools hanging off the side of the ship, wrap around promenade deck and many open air venues including our internet café, Gelato Bar, Al Fresco Dining and night club. This ship really embraces the warm air of the Caribbean! On top of these new and exciting features, you will find both of these ships to have the venues that make Carnival so popular: over 22 bars and lounges, several dining options including complimentary room service and our Award Winning Supper Club, movies under the stars and of course some of the largest casino’s afloat.
FamilyTravelGurus: We have many readers who have sailed with Disney in the past. What itineraries do you have planned for the Dream when it starts sailing out of Port Canaveral in November?
She will be offering 7 day alternating Eastern and Exotic Western Caribbean cruises departing every Saturday. The Eastern Caribbean cruise has 3 ports of call: Nassau, St Thomas and St Maarten while the Exotic Western Caribbean itinerary will offer 4 ports of call: Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Nassau.
FamilyTravelGurus: We specialize in family travel – what about a Carnival cruise makes it a good choice for families?
Wow, where do I begin? Carnival is all about family cruising! We have the most comprehensive family program at sea. Our programs start at age 2 to teens and are open and complimentary from 9am to 10pm on days at sea as well as during port time when adults go off to do shore excursions. We also offer babysitting for only $6 per hour/$4 per additional child after hours. We have different activity centers and programs for the varied age groups including Camp Carnival, Circle C and Club 02 with activity centers, game rooms, arts and crafts, ice cream & pizza parties, swimming, movies under the stars, scavenger hunts, sports & recreation and so much more…all of which is under the supervision and guidance of our youth counselors. We even offer teen shore excursions. Lastly, we extend Camp Carnival dining on all ships as well so that parents can have a nice relaxing meal while the kids get to enjoy their kind of food with their peers including some of the best pizza at sea!
FamilyTravelGurus: We sailed with Carnival in Europe in 2006 and it was one of our best cruises ever! Do you have any Europe sailings planned for 2009? How about for 2010 and beyond?
We are thrilled your family had such a great experience with us in Europe. We do have limited sailings offered this Fall in Europe on the Carnival Dream sailing from Rome. These are 12 day cruises departing on September 21st, October 3rd and October 15th. She will then do a wonderful 16 day transatlantic crossing from Rome to NYC departing October 27th. They are some great deals on this!
Right now, it does not look like we will be back in Europe for 2010 as there is so much demand for our cruises in the Caribbean but I know we will be back due to the success we have had in the past several years.
FamilyTravelGurus: What are you offering in Alaska in 2009 and 2010?
We have a beautiful ship called the Carnival Spirit in Alaska for 2009 and 2010. In 2009 she will be doing 7 day north and south bound cruises from Vancouver to Whittier, Alaska which can also be combined with land tours.
In 2010 she will offer 7 day cruises round trip from Seattle to make it more convenient for our guests to get to the ship. The Spirit has a lot of great features that make her a perfect fit for Alaska cruising…80% of the staterooms are ocean view with 80% balconies. Also, this ship has a heated pool along with several hot tubs to enjoy while sailing in the cooler climate of Alaska. She has Carnival’s first Supper Club dining experience, which is the #1 rated alternative dining of any cruise ship. Furthermore, she sails every Wednesday VS traditional Saturday/Sunday departures which allows our guests to truly enjoy these quaint ports as they do not have to fight the crowds.
FamilyTravelGurus: Finally, how many cruises have you sailed on with Carnival and which one was your all time favorite?
Actually, I did not know how many times I had cruised on Carnival until you asked that question. Wow, I counted 24 times…it is hard to believe! I truly enjoy each and every cruise, but I can say that one of my favorites was taking my extended family on the Carnival Conquest a few years ago as I got to see all different ages having fun and enjoying the ship and the experience only Carnival can offer. It was my Dad’s first cruise as well as my children’s and it got them all hooked for life. We are planning our next extended family cruise for this summer and now many more family members wanting to join in!
FamilyTravelGurus: Thanks Alicia. We would love to sail on the Carnival Dream when she comes out later this year!