Carnival employees with their St. Jude bears. (photo: Carnival)

Props to the employees at Carnival Cruise Lines’ corporate office in Miami, Florida for raising $2,300 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital through the “Beary Cuddly Workshop,” held on-site.

Employees had the opportunity to purchase a customized bear fit with doctor scrubs, surgical mask and lab coat. More than 100 bears were purchased to show support for St. Jude.

The bear sale mirrors programs taking place on-board Carnival’s 23-ships to raise money to fight against pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Carnival has a goal of raising $3-million dollars over a three-year period with “The Groove for St. Jude,” a dance party each sailing and the on-board sale of “The Dream of Plucker of Perrysport,” children’s book.

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• Royal Caribbean repositions Brilliance of the Seas to Tampa
• Celebrity Millennium emerges from dry dock “Solsticized”
• Carnival Breeze complete sea trials in Adriatic Sea
• Norwegian’s $1000 air credit offer
• Norwegian Cruise Line cuts steal on upcoming Norwegian Getaway

Theresa Masek, editor-in-chief of Vacation Agent Magazine gives us her review of Oceania Cruises brand new ‘Riviera’ and CEO of MSC Cruises USA joins us from South Florida to talk about home porting their upcoming MSC Divina in Miami.

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According to the company, “The unannounced inspections, which are conducted twice each year and required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling on a U.S. or Canadian port, encompass a broad range of shipboard sanitation areas, including proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures and overall cleanliness of the galley and other shipboard areas. The potable water supply used in spas and pools is also examined. ”

Carnival Liberty was the first ship to undergo Carnival’s $500-million Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program, adding venues such Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Pub and BlueIguana Cantina.

Carnival Liberty operates year-round Caribbean service from Miami.

Source: Carnival

Hear our broadcast aboard Carnival Liberty here and subscribe to our Cruise News Updates.

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• Fat Jimmy’s Best Barbequed Yardbird (juicy, sweet, smoky Chicken Breast)
• Oh, Ya! Grilled Kielbasa (a tempting Old World favorite served c-side)
• Brew Ribbon Grilled Italian Sausage (Fat Jimmy loves ‘em!)
• Granny’s Grilled Veggies
• Pig-In-A-Poke Pulled Pork Sandwiches (So slow cooked that Fat Jimmy almost fell in the fire)

Sides

• Potato Salad
• Coleslaw
• Baked Beans
• Creamed Corn
• Cornbread

Source: Carnival

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• Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas refurb
• Keel laid on Norwegian Breakway in German shipyard
• Princess Cruises putting a ship in SFO year-round
• Disney Wonder making inaugural run to Hawaii
• Seattle-Alaska cruise season kicks off

Greg Poplewko, Director of Product Development with Carnival Cruise Line will tell us about the new food venues aboard Carnival Breeze, launching this June.

Scott talks to Port Director of PortMiami, Bill Johnson about the rapid growth that PortMiami is experiencing.

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Appetizers: $3 each

Salmon Tiradito (blue cheese cream, dashi infused citrus tea)

Tuna & Mango Tartare  (tama miso sauce, tobiko and cilantro)

Wagyu Kakuni (slow braised wagyu short ribs, caramelized onion and teriyaki sauce)

Soup and Salad: $2 each

Bonsai Noodle Salad (ginger, sake, cold rice noodles, tomatoes, mushrooms, chilled tomato dressing)

Side Salad (mixed field greens with home-made ginger-carrot dressing)

Miso Soup (white miso soup, silken tofu, scallions, garnished with daikon and nori)

Sushi: $1 per piece

Ebi (shrimp)

Sake (salmon)

Maguro (yellow fin tuna)

Hamachi (amberjack)

Rolls: $4 per roll

California Roll (crab, avocado, cucumber, sesame, tobiko mayo)

Spicy Tuna (spicy tuna, tempura flakes, asparagus, aazuki, tobiko, Yukon gold potato straws, spicy mayo)

$6 Rolls

Bonsai Triple E Roll (fresh water eel, bbq eggplant, tamago (japanese egg omlett), panko)

Tempura Roll (fried shrimp, cucumber, tenka, yuzu mayo, Bonsai Sushi sauce)

Chef’s Specials

Bento Box $8 includes: miso soup, side salad, California roll, 3 pcs sushi (tuna, salmon, shrimp)

Ship for 2 $15 includes: miso soup, side salad, Bonsai Triple E Roll, California roll, 6 pcs sushi (1 tuna, 2 salmon, 2 shrimp)

Beverages

Japanese Beer: $4.95 Kirin or Kirin Light

Wine: Pinot Grigio $6, Chardonnay $6.25, Pinot Noir $7.25

Sake (served hot):  Sho Chiku Bai Carafe $5.50 or 750ml $12. 00

Nigori, Snow Maiden: $20 300ml (unfiltered)

Junami Ginjo, TYKU $25 330ml

Desserts: $2 each Green Tea Cupcake or Yuzu Custard (yizu custard with konbu rice and sesame biscuit)

Source: CCL

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RedFrog Rum Bar.

Carnival Cruise Lines and Cruiseport Boston announced today that the 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory will be returning to Boston in 2013, offering four to seven-night Atlantic Canadian Cruises.

Carnival Glory’s 2013 schedule from Boston will encompass four-day cruises to Saint John, New Brunswick, departing Sundays and five-day voyages to Saint John and Halifax, Nova Scotia, departing Tuesdays and Thursdays, from June 4 to July 7.

Carnival Glory will also offer three seven-day cruises departing June 9 and July 14 and 21, 2013, visiting Portland, Maine; Saint John; Halifax; and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

“We are delighted Carnival Glory is coming back to Cruiseport Boston in 2013,’’ said David S. Mackey, Interim CEO & Executive Director of the Massachusetts Port Authority. “The Carnival Glory is the largest ship to be home-based at Cruiseport Boston, and the additional seven-day itineraries that will be added next year offer more cruising choices to more New Englanders.’’

When Carnival Glory returns to Boston next year she’ll be loaded with all the “Fun Ship 2.0″ enhancements like:

Guy’s Burger Joint, a complimentary poolside venue offering fresh-made burgers, hand-cut fries and innovative toppings and condiments created by Food Network personality and chef Guy Fieri

BlueIguana Cantina, a free-of-charge Mexican cantina with authentic tacos and burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar

Alchemy Bar, a cocktail “pharmacy” where highly trained mixologists create custom cocktails using interesting flavors and ingredients

EA SPORTS Bar, an interactive sports bar where patrons can view live action, play popular EA SPORTS video games and keep up with the latest scores on the 24/7 sports ticker

RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside Caribbean-themed watering hole offering a variety of the region’s top rums and beers, which are enjoyed in a laid back island-infused atmosphere

BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a friendly rival to the RedFrog Rum Bar, this lively and engaging poolside bar specializes in frozen cocktails and Mexican beers, in a fun and festive environment

A burger from Guy's Burger Joint.

The Punchliner Comedy Club & Punchliner Comedy Brunch Presented by George Lopez, who is taking Carnival’s popular comedy offerings to the next level with hilarious, side-splitting comedians and a humorous twist on the traditional mid-morning culinary feast

Hasbro, The Game Show, where guests are part of the show with larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic and popular board games presented in the ship’s main show lounge

Playlist Productions, which takes Carnival’s legendary revues to another level incorporating high-tech special effects with live performances to create a memorable entertainment experience

The Taste Bar, a new casual dining option featuring complimentary bite-size offerings inspired by “Fun Ship 2.0” dining venues, along with a signature cocktail tied to that eatery’s particular theme available for purchase.

Cherry on Top, which celebrates the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun fanciful gifts and novelties, custom apparel and more.

Carnival Glory is scheduled for the Fun Ship 2.0 makeover this upcoming November.

Source:  CCL

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Carnival Breeze is scheduled to enter service in June 3, 2012, operating 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona before repositioning to Miami on year-round six- and eight-day departures.

Source/Video: CCL

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Size matters, the first Carnival ship Mardi Gras and the latest build, Carnival Magic. (photo: CCL)

40 years ago, Ted Arison set out to make cruise vacations affordable… and that he did. Mr. Arison revolutionized the way we sail today.

Carnival Cruise Lines created this timeline to show their progress over the years and did a good job of outlining all the milestones.

Through the years:

1972 – Maiden voyage of Carnival’s first ship, the TSS Mardi Gras.

1975 – Carnival purchases Empress of Britain, enters service as the TSS Carnivale.

1978 – The Festivale, formerly the S.A. Vaal, undergoes $30 million refurbishment, begins service for Carnival as the largest and fastest vessel sailing from Miami to the Caribbean.

1982 – Debut of the Tropicale, the first new cruise ship the cruise industry has seen in many years; ship marks the beginning of an industry-wide multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding boom.

1984 – Carnival becomes first cruise line to advertise on network T.V. with the premiere of new advertising campaign starring company spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford (then Johnson).

1985 – Debut of 46,052-ton Holiday.

1986 – Launch of 47,262-ton Jubilee.

1987 – The 47,262-ton Celebration enters service.

Carnival earns distinction as “Most Popular Cruise Line in the World,” carrying more passengers than any other cruise line.

Carnival Cruise Lines undertakes its initial public offering on Wall Street, raising approximately $400 million to fuel future expansion; entity later becomes Carnival Corporation & plc, a multi-line worldwide cruise conglomerate.

1990 – The 70,367-ton Carnival Fantasy – the first and namesake vessel in the highly successful “Fantasy-class” — enters service as first new ship ever placed on three- and four-day Bahamas cruise program from Miami. Eventually, Carnival would construct eight “Fantasy-class” vessels, the most cruise ships in a single class.

1991 – Launch of 70,367-ton Carnival Ecstasy.

1993 – Carnival introduces its third 70,367-ton SuperLiner, Carnival Sensation.

1994 – Debut of 70,367-ton Carnival Fascination.

1995 – 70,367-ton Carnival Imagination enters service.

1996 – Carnival’s launches sixth “Fantasy-class” vessel, Carnival Inspiration.

Carnival debuts the first passenger vessel to exceed 100,000 tons, the 101,353-ton Carnival Destiny, at the time the world’s largest cruise ship.

1998 – Introduction of seventh “Fantasy-class” vessel, the Carnival Elation, the first new cruise ship deployed on the West Coast.

1999 – Debut of the 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph, Carnival’s second “Destiny-class” vessel.

2000 – A third “Destiny-class” vessel, the 102,000-ton Carnival Victory, is launched.

2001 – Carnival introduces a new class of vessel with the launch of the 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit, the first new “Fun Ship” ever positioned in the Alaska and Hawaii markets.

2002 – A second “Spirit-class” vessel, the Carnival Pride, is launched.

Carnival’s third “Spirit-class” ship, Carnival Legend, enters service.

Debut of the 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest, beginning a new class of vessel for the line.

2003 – Second 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” ship, the Carnival Glory, enter service.

2004 – Carnival Miracle, the fourth in Carnival’s “Spirit-class,” debuts.

A third 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” ship, Carnival Valor, sets sail.

2005 – A fourth 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” vessel, Carnival Liberty, enters service July 20 operating Carnival’s first-ever Mediterranean cruise program.

2007 – Debut of Carnival’s fifth “Conquest-class” vessel, Carnival Freedom.

2008 – The new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor enters service, representing a new class of ship for the line.

2009 – The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream – the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed – is introduced in Europe Sept. 21, 2009.

2011 – A second 130,000-ton ship, Carnival Magic, enter services in Europe May 1 2011, and will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Galveston, Texas, Nov 14.

2012 – A third 130,000-ton ship, Carnival Breeze, is scheduled to enter service in June 3, 2012, operating 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona before repositioning to Miami on year-round six- and eight-day departures.

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

Cruise Guy is giving us the Cruise News for the week: New Royal Caribbean ship order, Disney Fantasy arriving in Port Canaveral, Cruise industry goes to Capitol Hill, and Costa Cruises fire.

Travel writer Craig Zabransky from Stay Adventurous joins us to review the cruise port of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Hear first time tips and excursion ideas.

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