Carnival Cruise Lines’ SuperLiners Sensation and Holiday, which are on charter to the U.S. government as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, will undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment prior to re-entering service this spring.Following a series of four- and five-day voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida., from March to October, the 2,052-passenger Sensation will return to New Orleans October. 26, 2006, to resume year-round four- and five-day cruises—a program it previously operated prior to Hurricane Katrina.

The 1,452-passenger Holiday will resume its previously operated program of four- and five-day cruises from Mobile, Alabama.—the only year-round schedule from that port—beginning March 27, 2006.

“We’re very pleased to resume year-round service from New Orleans and Mobile, both of which are popular and convenient homeports for our guests and vital components to Carnival’s operations,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

“The Sensation and Holiday will emerge from the charters in excellent condition and these multi-million-dollar renovations will make these ‘Fun Ships’ even more attractive when they resume service this spring,” he added.

Sensation’s refurbishment

The Sensation’s refurbishment will take place in Mobile, Alabama, and include a host of new and expanded areas, including a nine-hole miniature golf course on Sun Deck, a 1,600-square-foot Children’s World play area, and a family recreation area featuring audio/visual equipment for displaying movies and other programming.

A patisserie offering specialty coffees and sweets, and a photo gallery will be added along the ship’s promenade.

Also new will be a 1,200-square-foot conference room catering to the growing meeting/incentive market. A redesigned Internet cafe will be added on Empress Deck as well.

The Sensation’s 12,000-square-foot fitness center will be renovated and feature new carpeting, tile work and exercise equipment, while a poolside stage has been relocated to a covered area on Lido Deck, providing guests with more space for sunning and relaxing.

Suites will also be refurbished to include an entirely new decor and remodeled bathrooms. A number of crew areas will be refurbished as well.

Holiday Refurbishment

The Holiday’s refurbishment, which will take place in Freeport, the Bahamas, will include cosmetic enhancements to virtually every lounge, restaurant and public area, along with the creation of several new crew areas.

The most noticeable change will be a totally redesigned lobby area that greets guests as they enter the vessel.

The renovated lobby will feature new seating, and new carpeting and tile work throughout, providing a more comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

A new nine-hole miniature golf course will be added to Verandah Deck, providing guests of all ages with a fun outdoor diversion.

The Four Winds and Seven Seas main dining rooms will also receive new ceilings while a variety of new and updated equipment will be installed in the ship’s galley.

The beauty salon in the ship’s Spa Carnival facility will receive a makeover with a host of new exercise equipment, along with new carpeting and tile work.

Itineraries

The Sensation will resume year-round four- and five-day service from New Orleans Oct. 26, 2006. On this route, four-day cruises departing Thursdays visit Cozumel while five-day cruises departing Mondays and Saturdays feature Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen or Costa Maya.

Prior to the start-up of these cruises, the Sensation will operate a new program of four- and five-day voyages from Port Canaveral March 23 - Oct. 19, 2006. Four-day cruises visit Nassau and either Freeport or Half Moon Cay, while five-day cruises call at Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau.

The Holiday returns to Mobile March 27, 2006, to resume its four- and five-day cruise schedule.

The year-round program encompasses four-day cruises to Cozumel departing Thursdays and five-day voyages to Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen or Costa Maya departing Mondays and Saturdays.
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