Carnival switches on fare cuts

It’s not just the Norwegian fjords where cruise bargains are to be found – fighting back after a succession of public embarrassments, Carnival Cruise Lines have announced discounts of up to 40 per cent.
In view of the engine room blazes on Carnival Triumph in February and Carnival Splendor in 2010, some observers are referring to the latest promotion as a fire sale – which is in dubious taste.
Nevertheless, passengers responnding to the company’s heavily-promoted “Switch On Fun” TV commercial (above) can pick up substantial bargains on bookings made before April 30. Flexible pricing means some prices are falling fast.
For example, a press release issued this morning quoted fares for Carnival Legend’s June 21 12-night cruise from Dover to the Baltic at £719 pp, but a check online at Carnival’s UK website turned up the even cheaper fare of £689. The 12-night voyage calls at Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Helsinki, overnight in St Petersburg, then Tallinn and Zeebrugge.
For a late summer getaway to the Mediterranean, the latest fare for a 12-night cruise from Barcelona on Carnival Sunshine, departing September 29, is £589 pp. And for seven nights in the western Caribbean aboard Carnival Dream, departing August 17, cruise-only fares are down to £419.
UK managing director Adolfo Perez said: “Cruising always offers fantastic value and with this year’s sale being one of Carnival’s biggest ever, it ensures all our customers, both new and old, get to enjoy the fun of a Carnival cruise at the best possible value.
“It’s a great opportunity for young families and first-time cruisers to experience first class facilities on the ships and visit stunning destinations all at knock-down prices.”