Carnival Cruise Lines is unveiling specific design details for its stunning new resort-style pool areas and spectacular "Carnival WaterWorks" aqua parks on its eight Fantasy-class ships, part of the line's $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" enhancement program.

"A quintessential part of the Carnival cruise experience centers around the ships' pools and outdoor decks," said Vicki Freed, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and marketing. "With the 'Evolutions of Fun' program, we have focused very heavily on making these areas absolutely fabulous."

The new resort-style main pool areas, located mid-ship on Lido Deck, will feature striking umbrellas providing shaded seating at pool's edge along the tiled "beach" bordering the circumference of the pool. The pool and beach area will feature eye-catching blue tile with yellow accents, reminiscent of the Caribbean's aqua waters infused with tropical sunshine.

A thatched roof will cover one of the two whirlpools at either end of the swimming pool, providing guests the option of shaded or sunny relaxation in the bubbling water. Towering faux palm trees, along with more thatched roofing over new, centrally positioned staircases further enhance the tropical resort-style ambiance.

New mosaic tiles behind the two bars which occupy the forward corners of the deck area, along with thatch-work above, will create a fresh look, while the bar stool seating areas are given a more spacious, open feel by the removal of staircases previously positioned just in front that partially blocked views to the open deck. New tile-work and thatched roofing elements will also be featured in the outdoor food service area just behind the performance stage.

Spectacular new "Carnival WaterWorks" aqua parks will be introduced on Verandah Deck aft on Fantasy-class ships and will feature a four-deck-high, 300-foot-long spiraling tube water slide, the biggest, longest and most elaborate in cruising. A separate 82-foot-long triple-lane waterslide will be featured, as well, while much of this deck area will be occupied by an expansive spray park that will offer multiple and varied water spray apparatus, creating cool and exhilarating fun for kids and adults, alike.

Both the mid-ship pool areas and "Carnival WaterWorks" parks will be accented by comfortable lounge chairs and teak decking.

The first two ships to begin receiving these features, as well as "Serenity" adults-only deck areas, are the Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration later this year, with implementation on the balance of the line's Fantasy-class fleet expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

"Evolutions of Fun" is a $250 million product enhancement initiative that began in 2005 and includes renovations to virtually every guest area on the line's eight Fantasy-class ships, the Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise.

Many aspects of the "Evolutions of Fun" program have already been implemented on several ships, including fully remodeled staterooms, suites, and bathrooms, 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.

The program also includes makeovers of the ships' 12,000-square-foot spa facilities, custom-designed clubs for the 12-14 year old age group under the line's top-rated "Camp Carnival" children's program, inter-connecting staterooms on some ships, and elaborate new sound and lighting systems in the ships' main show lounges.

"The Fantasy-class ships are already tremendously popular, and the upgrades and enhancements we are introducing through 'Evolutions of Fun' will take the guest experience to an entirely new level," said Freed.

Digital renderings of the resort-style pools and "Carnival WaterWorks," along with additional information on the "Evolutions of Fun" initiative, can be viewed at www.evolutionsoffun.com.

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
From Carnival:

The first two ships to begin receiving these features, as well as "Serenity" adults-only deck areas, are the Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration later this year, with implementation on the balance of the line's Fantasy-class fleet expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

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Originally posted by desirod7: The concept works beautifully on the Destiny class ships.

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David,
This concept is not on the Destiny Class ships. This is something entirely new and it's only being implemented on the Fantasy Class ships.

You seem suddenly taken by the Destiny Class. Believe me, they are crap. Poor design, over crowded, and insufficient pool areas. Sail on one when full and you will find out for yourself. These are things you can't find out while spending a few hours on a ship while in port.

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Originally posted by eroller:

David,
This concept is not on the Destiny Class ships. This is something entirely new and it's only being implemented on the Fantasy Class ships.

You seem suddenly taken by the Destiny Class. Believe me, they are crap. Poor design, over crowded, and insufficient pool areas. Sail on one when full and you will find out for yourself. These are things you can't find out while spending a few hours on a ship while in port.

Ernie

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I almost booked the Victory a few years ago with my very senior Mom and her gentleman friend and specifically asked. The aft pool is for adults and has no music, the midship pool is for the party animals.

The Victory exceeded expactations, Explorer underwhelmed me.

Victory was the build quality, Explorer was an in your face shopping mall.

Ernie, would you choose the NCL Dawn over the Victory?

Hey, any cruise is better than a week at the office.

Please recall my review

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Originally posted by desirod7: I almost booked the Victory a few years ago with my very senior Mom and her gentleman friend and specifically asked. The aft pool is for adults and has no music, the midship pool is for the party animals. The Victory exceeded expactations, Explorer underwhelmed me. Victory was the build quality, Explorer was an in your face shopping mall. Ernie, would you choose the NCL Dawn over the Victory? Hey, any cruise is better than a week at the office. Please recall my review Carnival Victory tour

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Just the opposite for me. Completely underwhelmed by the Destiny/Conquest Class and completely blown away with the Voyager/Freedom Class. Having sailed both there is no comparison which ship has the superior design, deck space, and feels less crowded. The Voyager/Freedom Class by far. There is so much more to the Voyager/Freedom Class than the "shopping mall", which BTW I really enjoy strolling day or night. It's a nice diversion on a rainy day and it's fun to bar hop with friends at night. The parades are fun too.

I won't even get into the decor. After a few years, Carnival's over the top decor starts looking very dated and a bit tattered. It comes across much better at night IMO. During the day it can appear dark and a bit unwelcoming.

DAWN or VICTORY? Neither really. I have no desire to return to either.

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
"Carnival WaterWorks"

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Especially considering what kids do in water parks ...

[ 08-08-2007: Message edited by: Globaliser ]

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Originally posted by mike sa:
No problem with decor being different but a ship should look like a ship and thatched bomas don't seem right.

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I might have agreed with you had I not come across the Tiki Bar on Oceanic. Very much one of the best places aboard ship, with the stern steering gear still there etc. It does look completely odd from afar and in the postcards one does wonder what that 'thing' sitting on the deck is.

I do still agree when it comes to Carnival and their plans for the 'Bomas', not quite the same atmosphere with a bunch of waterslides around as sitting having a quiet drink wake watching.

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Originally posted by Globaliser:
You have to wonder, couldn't the marketing people have picked a name that has fewer euphemisms attached?

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[ 08-08-2007: Message edited by: Carlos Fernandez ]

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Originally posted by eroller:

David,
This concept is not on the Destiny Class ships. This is something entirely new and it's only being implemented on the Fantasy Class ships.

You seem suddenly taken by the Destiny Class. Believe me, they are crap. Poor design, over crowded, and insufficient pool areas. Sail on one when full and you will find out for yourself. These are things you can't find out while spending a few hours on a ship while in port.

Ernie

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I have to agree with Ernie. I have cruised on the Destiny, Triumph x2, Victory and Glory. No more. After trying both a Voyager and Freedom class ship, Carnival cannot hold a candle to them. The Destiny/Conquest class ships are nothing more than a cattle call. Crowded and poor design. Nothing at this point can help them IMHO.

[ 08-08-2007: Message edited by: Carlos Fernandez ]

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Originally posted by Carlos Fernandez:
This looks like a cheap theme park, no camparison at all with the H2O zone.

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Thanks for sharing, Carlos.

The after deck was a waste of space and underused. I think this is an improvement!

[ 08-08-2007: Message edited by: Dave the Wave ]

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Originally posted by eroller:

DAWN or VICTORY? Neither really. I have no desire to return to either.

Ernie

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Ernie, what was it that you did not like about the Dawn or is it NCL in general? I was on this ship last month. My first NCL cruise in 13 years. The ship does not have the wow factor that RCI has but I thought that the layout was good. I did not like the high glass around the pool areas.

The service was really good and I was surprised as I have read so many negative comments about NCL period. I also like that they now only allow smoking in the casino and cigar bar. No other public lounges.

I had a cabin that was located all the way foward overlooking the bow. We were not sure that we would like it but it was great. The wind was not a problem. Great for entering and leaving ports. Sailing from New York was nice also.

Check it out for yourself:

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Originally posted by Atlcruiser: Ernie, what was it that you did not like about the Dawn or is it NCL in general? I was on this ship last month. My first NCL cruise in 13 years. The ship does not have the wow factor that RCI has but I thought that the layout was good. I did not like the high glass around the pool areas. The service was really good and I was surprised as I have read so many negative comments about NCL period. I also like that they now only allow smoking in the casino and cigar bar. No other public lounges. I had a cabin that was located all the way foward overlooking the bow. We were not sure that we would like it but it was great. The wind was not a problem. Great for entering and leaving ports. Sailing from New York was nice also. Gordon

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Food and service were just fine, but there was so much about the ship I just didn't like. The atrium looked like an Asian casino, the Blue Lagoon seemed dirty, the gym had old equipment and no view, there was only one outdoor pool for all passengers and very limited deck space, the deck chairs were falling apart, the buffet was cold and uninviting, and I didn't like the overall layout of the ship. I hated that the nightclub was basically a lounge open to a walkway and had a dime size dance floor. What I did like was the indoor pool and spa, the Spinnaker Lounge, and the Star Bar. That was about it. Oh yes, and the cabin bathrooms!

Overall I found the ship to be very unremarkable, and already looking dated and in need of a refurbishment.