Carnival Commits Two Ships to Chinese Market

Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that it will commit two ships to the China market beginning with Carnival Miracle in spring 2017 followed by Carnival Splendor in spring 2018.

Both ships will be based in China year round.

"Carnival is the world's most popular cruise line and our style of cruising appeals to guests of all ages and particularly families," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "We attract more than 4.5 million guests a year and, as the family cruise leader, we also carry more than 700,000 children each year. Multi-generational families also choose to vacation with Carnival more than any other cruise brand. We look forward to bringing our one-of-a-kind, exceptionally popular cruise experience to the Chinese market."

Carnival Miracle has a guest capacity of 2,124 guests and a guest to crew ratio of nearly two to one. The ship offers a variety of features including more than 60% of accommodations featuring a private balcony. There are also four swimming pools with a magrodome over the main pool area. Carnival Miracle's two promenade decks offer multiple types of locations for gathering with friends and family, playing games or enjoying a host of other activities and entertainment options.

Extensive enhancements were added earlier this year with the addition of the Red Frog Pub which features a uniquely Caribbean atmosphere with music and entertainment options from this popular tropical region. The Alchemy Bar was added as well, and skilled bartenders create custom drinks with unique fresh ingredients based on guests' individual tastes and preferences.

Carnival Miracle offers multiple dedicated facilities for children, including an expansive water park. For the adults, Serenity is a private and comfortable outdoor area restricted to guests age 18 and older. The ship also features a steak house, casino, shopping and other F&B outlets.

Carnival Splendor, which enters the China market in 2018, is a larger vessel which carries just over 3,000 passengers and boasts a wide variety of features.

The ship also has four swimming pools, one of which can be covered by a glass magrodome, seven whirlpools, a Serenity area and a variety of dedicated facilities for children in different age groups.

Carnival will be establishing operations in China in partnership with sister company Costa Asia, which has operated in the Chinese market for the past nine years.

"Given the combined experience of Costa Asia, along with other sister companies either already in the market, such as Princess Cruises, or entering the market, such as AIDA, the collective scale of Carnival Corporation's Asia operations is unparalleled and enables us to tap into an immense network of resources and expertise as we launch our China program," said Duffy.

Reservations for voyages on Carnival Miracle are expected to open in 2016.