According to a Carnival Cruise Lines press release, 2011 will mark Carnival’s first full season of Mediterranean cruises since 2008. This will also be the first time that Carnival has homeported a ship in Barcelona, Spain.
Newest Carnival Cruise Ship in Europe
In May 2011, Carnival Cruise Lines will launch the new 130,000-ton Carnival Magic. With a full summer of Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, Carnival is meeting the demands of their loyal past passengers and cruising public. "Our past guests and travel partners have provided a tremendous amount of feedback in terms of their desire for Mediterranean cruises from Carnival," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival's president and CEO in the above press release.
The cruise ship will feature many of the same amenities as her sister ship, Carnival Dream which was launched in September 2009, along with some innovations as well. Similar features include the WaterWorks aqua park, Cloud 9 spa, Serenity (the adults-only retreat) and modern children's and teens facilities. Unique to the Carnival Magic will be the cruise line's first pub, an Italian family-style restaurant and a sports complex that includes a ropes course and outdoor fitness area.
Mediterranean Cruises From Barcelona
Being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone (Italy), the Carnival Magic's inaugural cruise is expected to debut from Venice on May 1, 2011. The nine-day cruise will finish in Barcelona on May 10. Here are some of the European cruises from Barcelona that will be offered on the Carnival Magic for 2011.
7-Day Europe Cruises – These Mediterranean cruises include a stop in Monaco and the Italian ports of Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno, Naples and Messina (Sicily). Select from departures July 3, July 10 or July 17, 2011.
9-Day Europe Cruises – Mediterranean cruises with departures on June 3, June 24, August 5, September 16 and October 7, 2011 include the ports of Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Marseilles (France), Monaco, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Naples and Messina.
16-Day Transatlantic Cruise – Departing from Barcelona, Spain on October 28, 2011, the Carnival Magic will make stops at Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, the Canary Islands and Grand Turk along with 11 days at sea. The cruise finishes in Galveston, Texas.
Carnival Cruises in Europe With an Overnight in Venice
Also departing from Barcelona, the Carnival Magic will offer a number of 12-day European cruises featuring an overnight in Venice, Italy. All of these 12-day cruises have stops in Civitavecchia, Naples and Messina. Departures on May 10, June 10, July 24 and September 4 also include the ports of Monaco, Livorno and Dubrovnik (Croatia). Alternatively, departures on May 22, August 14, September 25 and October 16 have a slightly different itinerary, some featuring Marseilles (France) and Palma de Mallorca (Spain).
The Carnival Magic will be Carnival Cruise Lines' 23rd vessel. Once the ship completes her summer 2011 season in Europe, she will reposition to Galveston, Texas to offer Caribbean cruises beginning November 14, 2011.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
