Andy

Inspiration goes to Tampa and Jubilee goes out to pasture in Galveston. <BR>More of the same, Tampa get's the mainstream midlife ships while other ports get cutting edge ships. This is not to say New Orleans isn't a good port and needs some new spice, but it would be nice for a brand new ship's initial and primary run to be out of Tampa. I would like to see pictures of that new behemoth though, I guess there won't be any till later next year. Artist's rendition? <BR>Will it be a Destiny class or something new?

Paul Therault

<BR>Is this a quiz? <BR> <BR>The closest I can come is the Grand and Ocean Princess @ 109,000 tons, but they are both sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale in the summer. <BR> <BR>The newbuild Queen Elizabeth is sailing out of NYC and the newbuild Residensea is doing world cruises. <BR> <BR>OK, what's the answer? <BR> <BR>Paul

Greg Gallagher

Hi Paul, here's a bit of useless trivia. Did you know that battleships during WW II were supposed to be restricted to a 40,000 ton limit. Now we have pleasure ships that would run over them. Kinda cool. Ciao.

Kelly

When is Inspiration moving to Tampa? I sure don't have that information. What 110,000 ship are you referring to? I know the Rhapsody ( 78,000 ton will be embarking from NO but apparently that isn't the one you mean.

Harry M.

MIAMI, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines today announced that New Orleans will become home to the largest ``Fun Ship'' ever constructed, the 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest, when it enters service Dec. 1, 2002, offering year-round western Caribbean cruises from that port.<BR><BR>Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 2,976-passenger vessel represents a 45 percent capacity increase over the line's current New Orleans-based cruise ship, the 2,052-passenger Inspiration, which will be deployed to another homeport.<BR><BR>Dramatic 'Impressionist' Interiors, Host of New Amenities and Facilities<BR><BR>As the first in a new series of ``Fun Ships,'' the 952-foot-long Carnival Conquest will feature 22 bars and lounges with dramatic interiors inspired by the world's most famous Impressionist painters, appropriate for a ship based in New Orleans, a city possessing a rich European heritage.<BR><BR>The ship will also feature 13 passenger decks housing four swimming pools -- one with a 214-foot-long water slide -- a 15,000-square-foot health and fitness facility, an Internet cafe, four restaurants and a ``boulevard'' of shops and boutiques. Expanded ``family-friendly'' facilities, including ``Action Alley,'' a recreation center housing a video arcade, teen coffee bar and dance club, along with a 3,300-square-foot children's play area -- the largest in the ``Fun Ship'' fleet -- will be featured, as well.<BR><BR>Conquest Continues Carnival's New Orleans Expansion<BR><BR>Carnival expects to carry more than 167,000 guests per year aboard the Carnival Conquest. That, combined with an estimated 118,000 guests annually who will sail from Tampa on the Inspiration and visit New Orleans on Fridays as part of that vessel's itinerary, represents a nearly 600 percent increase in Carnival's New Orleans passenger volume versus the company's first full year of operation there in 1995.<BR><BR>``Carnival's growth in New Orleans has been nothing short of phenomenal and the fact that we're committing what will be our newest and largest ship to New Orleans speaks volumes to our confidence in expanding this important cruise market,'' said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president.<BR><BR>Dickinson noted that New Orleans' attractiveness as a tourist destination and opportunities for pre- and post-cruise land stays also played a key role in the company's decision to dedicate its largest ship to the Crescent City.<BR><BR>Exciting On-Board Features, Dining Options<BR><BR>Other features aboard the Carnival Conquest include a conference center, an expansive sports deck with basketball and volleyball courts, a jogging track, a full gambling casino. Additionally, approximately 60 percent of the vessel's 1,488 staterooms will offer an ocean view with 60 percent of those featuring private balconies.<BR><BR>As part of Carnival's Total Choice Dining(SM), Carnival Conquest will also continue the line's tradition of offering guests the widest variety of formal and casual options at sea. Dining choices will include twin two-deck-high formal restaurants and an expansive two-level poolside eatery offering casual alternatives for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a 24-hour pizzeria and a variety of specialty areas. A reservations-only supper club, a patisserie, a sushi bar and complimentary 24-hour room service will also be available.<BR><BR>Popular Seven-Day Western Caribbean Itinerary<BR><BR>Beginning Dec. 1, 2002, Carnival Conquest will depart the Port of New Orleans every Sunday on weeklong voyages to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Playa del Carmen/Cozumel, Mexico. Prior to the launch of its seven-day western Caribbean program, Carnival Conquest will operate a special four-day Thanksgiving cruise departing Nov. 27 from New Orleans and featuring a daylong call at Playa del Carmen/Cozumel.<BR><BR>Prices for the Carnival Conquest's western Caribbean sailings from New Orleans begin at $599 per person, based on double occupancy.<BR><BR>If purchased via Carnival's new ``Fun Finance Plan(SM),'' the cruises are available starting at $28 per month (based on a 24-month payment term at the lowest annual percentage rate available). Actual monthly payment and terms may vary according to the applicant's credit qualifications. Valid for U.S. individual bookings only. Certain other restrictions apply.<BR><BR>

Paul Therault

Hey Greg,<BR><BR>Glad to hear from you again.<BR><BR>It is interesting that the tonnage was so minimal. Of course the ships were built for speed and did not have much on them except for metal berths, table, chairs and necessary equipment.<BR><BR>The gross registered tonnage that is quoted for cruise ships (not a vessel) is not the weight of the ship but is the weight of the areas on the ships that are moneymakers. Does not include the hallways, stairways, elevators, engine rooms, bridge, pool decks, etc.<BR><BR>Paul<BR>

Techydude

Harry M. just wanted to make sure you got this. Stop using this web site for commercial advertising. It's considered inappropriate. If you continue this I will trace your real e mail and name and publish it.

Harry M.

Techydude:<BR><BR>No se llama Francaise

Techy Dude

Harry M. maybe you'll understand this: Better Business Bureau.

Sam

I heard from a friend who works with one of the cruise lines that the ships leaving New Orleans are nearly ALWAYS 100% full. That's why Carnival is adding capacity and Royal Caribbean is adding Grandeur to the already-announced 2002 Rhapsody sailings. Coming next: Holland America.

xxxxx

Harry Moron works for CCL everyone. He went to the Sony school of bad marketing.

Paul Therault

All the stupids are making this "Beat Up Harry week."<BR><BR>I get this strange feeling it is not bothering him in the least.

xxxx

Seems to me the only person bothered by this is you. At least Harry Moron is being picked on instead of you.<BR><BR>CCL continues to have the highest amount of complaints lodged against them<BR>both on web sites and with the BBB. Oh yeah they have the highest amount of new cruisers. That does not excuse them from poor service. It only makes them more of a target which they should be aware of but don't care. With charlatans like Harry Moron that work for CCL it only perpetuates their lack of respect for the cruise community.

sally

Do you think Carnival gets more complaints because so many first-time cruisers are expecting world class service for $498 for a week?!?!? I just returned from Carnival's Inspiration (New Orleans to Western Caribbean). It was comparable to Holland, Celebrity and RCCL. No kidding. Try Carnival again and definitely sail one of the newer ships. You'll be surprised. I had good service, good meals, etc.

zyx

No Sally! Even their upper echelon cabins are horrible. It just comes down to the fact that they need to re-train or maybe just train their personnel. Their ships are relatively nice if you like that glitzy lower class decor, but their decorating mentality reflects their hiring personality. All show and no go!

Michael

xyz:<BR><BR>You need psychiatric help. It is commonly known in the field, that people like you who are defensive and talk down to others, are unstable. You therapy beginning yesterday.

zyx

Michael, I think a class in sociology or maybe just picking up a dictionary would be in order. There is a big difference between defensive and assertive. You may want to learn the difference. <BR><BR>I do hope that is not your field of expertise. If so, let me know where you attended college so I can make sure my children don't go there.