Carnival Plans First South America Program

Carnival Cruise Lines for the first time will operate in South America aboard the new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor beginning in January 2009.

The 14- to 18-day cruises will feature extended visits to destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru.

Representing a new class of "Fun Ship," the 3,006-passenger Splendor will offer innovations including a 21,000-square-foot health club and the line's first spa staterooms and suites.

Carnival Splendor will operate three South America departures in 2009 - a 17-day, six-port cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires departing Jan. 31, 2009; a 14-day, six-port voyage from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile, departing Feb. 17, 2009; and an 18-day, six-port South America/Mexican Riviera cruise from Valparaiso to San Francisco March 3, 2009. The Jan. 31 voyage, which will cross the equator, will visit Dominica and Barbados as well as day-long calls at four Brazilian ports - Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.

The Feb. 17 voyage begins with an overnight call in Buenos Aires and then visits Montevideo, Uruguay, and Puerto Madryn, Argentina, followed by scenic cruising of Cape Horn, South America's southernmost point. The voyage continues with a visit to Ushuaia, Argentina, another day of scenic cruising of Cape Horn/Beagle Island, and a call at Punta Arenas, Chile, which lies at the entrance to the Straits of Magellan and is considered the gateway to Antarctica. Highlighting this voyage is a day-long cruise of Chile's fjords and a visit to Puerto Montt, Chile.

Carnival March 3 departure will visit Arica, Chile; Lima (Callao), Peru; Manta (Quito), Ecuador; Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Long Beach, Calif.; and its final destination of San Francisco.

Prior to its new South America program, Carnival Splendor will launch the line's first-ever Northern Europe cruise program from London (Dover) July 13, 2008, followed by a series of voyages to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles through October 17, 2008. The Splendor will then sail a transatlantic voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Fort Lauderdale, positioning the vessel for a series of seven-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning November 22, 2008.

After the South America voyages, the Splendor will reposition to Long Beach to launch year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises beginning March 29, 2009. Carnival will begin accepting reservations for the South America cruises beginning July 10. Prices for the 14-day cruise start at $1,399, the 17-day voyage $1,199, and the 18-day sailing $1,099 per person, based on double occupancy. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit www.bookccl.com.