In conjunction with its recently announced $250 million “Evolutions of Fun” ship refurbishment program, Carnival will re-brand its eight Fantasy-class ships by introducing an updated version of each ship’s name as it appears on the vessel’s hull, as well as in various marketing and collateral materials. As each ship goes into drydock for refurbishment, the name ‘Carnival’ and the company’s logo will be combined with the vessel’s name to provide an updated look and feel.

“The names of the majority of Carnival’s ships which entered service starting in the latter 1990’s begin with ‘Carnival,’ and those ships have become synonymous with expansive, high quality amenities and features,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. “As each of our Fantasy-class ships undergoes transformation to incorporate the wide-ranging enhancements under the ‘Evolutions of Fun’ initiative, it is only fitting that those vessels be re-branded to better align them with our other ships.”

All marketing materials going forward will feature the new ship names Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation.

As each ship goes into drydock to receive the “Evolutions of Fun” upgrades, signage on the ships’ bow, stern and upper deck areas will be modified. Among the planned “Evolutions of Fun” enhancements are expansive children’s water parks, a new design style and features for the pool areas, and the creation of the Serenity adults-only deck area.

Also being phased in and already in place on some ships are fully remodeled staterooms and suites, including new bathrooms, along with flat-screen televisions in staterooms and select public areas, atrium lobby bars, updated sound and lighting systems in various lounges and clubs, coffee bars, nine-hole miniature golf courses, new art and photo galleries, New York-style delis in the Lido restaurants, and purpose-built conference facilities. By 2009, upgrades to the entire Fantasy-class will be completed.

These upgrades will substantially change the look and feel of the vessels by the amenities they will soon have. And also, I see it as a direct response to RCI's water fun and higher standard of amenities, areas, cabins and adult entertainment (the serenity) adults only deck areas.

I suppose that it is not a stretch to think that down the line, the fantasy class vessels will serve another line as Carnival expands with newer/larger ships. A new looking and amenity filled ship is quite more attractive to other lines.

I also suppose that these amenity changes will also include the 2010 SOLAS specs to keep them in service past that date.

I got the latest "Currents" from Carnival today and there is a 6 page spread on the Holiday from Mobile. So I guess they aren't going to get rid of her any time soon, and she needs that upgrade as the oldest fantasy class vessel. In order to keep cruisers and attract new ones to that port.

[ 05-07-2007: Message edited by: jeremya ]

Through an exclusive agreement with Minnesota-based ‘Water Wars,’ Carnival Cruise Lines will feature the water balloon-themed attraction currently found in amusement parks in 22 countries.

Great! I was looking for a cruise line where I could get satuared.

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
I would have thought this was right up Carnival's street and suit the 'Fun Ship' aspect. The water parks are on many ships now, even cannons on QM2, so Carnival will lose out if they don't do something; maybe they are already doing so.

Pam

---

There was a thread about this when first announced a few months ago (can't find it now.) But I wouldn't be surprised if this amenity will be a revenue-producer, as well, incurring a charge for the use of the balloons!

Seeing as the new Celebrity ships are all named "Celebrity ...." I hope they too will rename their existing ships.

quote:

---

So I guess they aren't going to get rid of her any time soon, and she needs that upgrade as the oldest fantasy class vessel. In order to keep cruisers and attract new ones to that port.

[ 05-07-2007: Message edited by: jeremya ][/QB]

---

Fantasy is newer than Holiday. Fantasy was the first of her class (hence Fantasy class). Holiday was of the previous generation (Holiday, Jubilee and Celebration).

This rebranding is merely a means to draw attraction to older tonnage, but still viable. Similar to the HAL 'Signature of Excellence' upgrades and RCI upgrades to Soverein class.

These ships have good lifespan ahead of them. But the cruise industry is creating it's own quandy with constant new tonnage. They are creating a market of passenrs who want newest, latest and greatest only. It gets very expensive building disposable ships. So other than the classic refits, and periodic rebuilds venerable ships have been subject to, Carnival is rebranding to create a fresh image in the consumer market.

In somewhat of a sour grapes response to the new Carnival ship, the Fantasy was nicknamed the 'Fanta-Barge'. During the sometimes windy docking manuevers, the tugs would occaisionally assist the 'Fanta-Barge' The tugs would leave red marks on the hull, which had been paint transferred off the red Premier ships. When passengers asked how red paint got onto the white hull, we would explain those were 'Premier Hickies'.

Let's consider all the lines which are currently doing it: Costa, Crystal, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, Saga, Seabourn, etc.

There are so many cruise ships operating now, that the lines must incorporate their name into the vessel (much like hotel chains have their names on their resort properties) so that the consumer will have some point of reference.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Linerrich:
Let's consider all the lines which are currently doing it: Costa, Crystal, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, Saga, Seabourn, etc.

---

Thomson, AIDA, Island, SeaDream, Silver[seas], American, Sevens Seas, Delphin, Ocean Village, Kristina, easyCruise; possibly quicker to make a list of those not doing so. Pros and cons for both ways.

quote:

---

Originally posted by mike sa:
[QB]If they really wanted to upgrade these ships they would add balconies, add a deck or 2 either fore or aft with a speciality restaurant and add muts.

All would be possible and all would add revenue. QB]

---

The FANTASY-Class vessels are built to older SOLAS regs, and have their lifeboats high above the superstructure; I don't think this design would allow for balconies, at least I've never seen a ship designed thus.

In fact, I witnessed a tragic accident in Nassau where, during a crew lifeboat drill, a davit collapsed while lowering a lifeboat, dumping the crew into the sea below and the boat falling atop of them. Several lives were lost.

Shortly afterwards, again while in Nassau and aboard Atlantic (Premier), another lifeboat davit collapsed during a boat drill on the Atlantic and a boat was dangling from the side of the Atlantic (no crew were in the boat lowering drills after the Fantasy incident). We had to leave our lifeboat on the pier in Nassau (nestled on mattresses) for several cruises until the davit was replaced. Crew had to be reduced as the full sailings did not have appropriate lifeboat capacity for several cruises.

Both of these incidents were argued for those very SOLAS changes.

While the Sovereign and her sisters came out before the Fantasy class, they have much better lifeboat placement over the promenade deck, a pool deck that overhangs the ship for much more expansive space and now a full deck of balconies on the Bridge deck (10).

Overall a much nicer looking ship and at almost 20 years old, in great shape. A classic for sure.

Ernie