Special Holiday Season Cruises from Carnival

Carnival Cruise Lines is offering holiday cruises on all 21 of its ships this year, offering a variety of three- to eight-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico from 11 North American homeports. The ships' atrium and promenade areas will be adorned with Christmas trees, garland, wreaths and mistletoe, along with signage proclaiming traditional holiday greetings.

The spirit of the season continues with a holiday-themed revue with sets that evoke a "home away from home" atmosphere complete with a faux oversized fireplace, large sofas and a Christmas tree with decorations created by the kids from the "Camp Carnival" program. Kids will also have an opportunity to perform a dance routine with the ships' entertainers. Santa Claus also makes an appearance, bringing along a sack full of toys, which are distributed to all children on board.

A parade of crewmembers representing dozens of different nationalities on board closes the popular show. Holiday menus include oven-roasted turkey with all the trimmings and pecan pie. Other featured events include caroling and readings of traditional holiday stories such as "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by the ship's staff, while holiday-themed movies such as "The Polar Express" are shown on the in-cabin televisions.

The New Year's cruises feature a traditional countdown with complimentary noisemakers, party favors and champagne.

Short cruises are priced, for example, from $499 per person for a four-day Bahamas cruise aboard the Sensation from Port Canaveral, a five-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Fantasy from New Orleans, or a five-day Key West/Nassau cruise on the Celebration from Jacksonville.

For those looking for a longer cruise, seven-day Caribbean cruises from San Juan by the Carnival Destiny or from Miami by Carnival Victory are priced from $749 per person. Seven-day Caribbean voyages from Tampa aboard the Carnival Miracle or from Miami aboard the Carnival Valor are available from $799.

The above prices are based on double occupancy for an interior (category 4A) stateroom and are subject to change without notice. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit the travel agent site at www.bookccl.com.