The first-ever Carnival cruise in the early 1970s didn't go so well, running aground on a sand bar in the waters off Miami. After this unfortunate start, the cruise company experienced better luck as it grew to become one of the world's most popular lines. Offering a dizzying array of amenities and activities on multiple ships, Carnival has expanded from a regional cruise line to one that covers much of the Northern Hemisphere and also runs to Europe.

History

Carnival Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 and grew throughout the '70s and '80s into one of the world's largest cruise lines. This rapid expansion was fueled by the company's going public on the stock market in 1987, thereby enabling Carnival to purchase other cruise lines such as Holland America and Cunard, among many others. In 1993, Carnival changed the name of its parent company to Carnival Corporation to serve as an umbrella over all of its acquired cruise lines. In 2010, the corporation claimed its ships served 90 percent of cruise passengers worldwide, with Carnival remaining its flagship brand.

Ships

Trademarked "The Fun Ships," the Carnival fleet consists of many classes of ships -- Fantasy, Destiny, Triumph, Conquest, Splendor, Spirit and Dream. As of 2012, 23 ships were in the fleet with more slated for christening. Older ships in the line's Fantasy class underwent major dry dock upgrades beginning in 2008. These improvements were dubbed the "Evolutions of Fun" initiative and added modern amenities such as water parks, as well as flat-screen TVs in cabins. Carnival Dream, the first of the Dream class, became the largest ship in the fleet when it was introduced in 2009.

Cruises

The original concept behind Carnival was to offer short, affordable cruises from southeastern US ports into the Bahamas and the Caribbean. While these types of trips remain a staple of the company, Carnival has expanded its options and range of service. Longer Hawaiian, Alaskan, European and Australian cruises are now offered. For those who love life on board a cruise ship and don't care so much for ports of call, Carnival also offers its Cruises to Nowhere, which simply take passengers on a two- or three-day journey out to sea and back.

Points of Embarkation

Carnival is headquartered in Miami, and many of its cruises originate from this busy port. Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral are other major points of departure in the Sunshine State. Smaller ports of embarkation in the Southeast include Charleston, Mobile and New Orleans, among others. Melissa Paloti, managing editor of cruisecritic.com, quotes Carnival executives as saying that "half of all U.S. states are now within a five-hour drive of a Carnival Cruise Lines homeport." Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Honolulu are just a few of the non-Southeastern US embarkation ports.

Life Onboard

Americans make up the majority of Carnival passengers; most of them are between 35 and 55 years old, but all age ranges are represented. Those who want to simply kick back, relax and not be bothered may find this impossible on board a Carnival ship. A Carnival cruise is buzzing with activity, and there are plenty of announcements to remind passengers of everything that is going on. This can include contests by the pool, scavenger hunts, fitness classes, bingo tournaments, lectures and more. Las Vegas-style nightlife and dining options abound, from midnight buffets and themed restaurants to casinos and nightclubs with musical entertainment.

About the Author

Blake Guthrie covers travel, entertainment and outdoor recreation for many outlets, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he is a regular contributor. With years of experience as a professional cook, Guthrie also relishes writing about food and beverage topics. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Auburn University.

Photo Credits

  • cruise ships on government cut miami image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
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