Carnival Triumph Moving to New Orleans

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Carnival Cruise Lines — which operates the only year-round cruise program from New Orleans — will increase capacity by 34 percent when the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph replaces the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy from the Big Easy in November 2009.

In addition to providing an exciting new “Fun Ship” cruise option from New Orleans, Carnival Triumph will introduce new seven-day eastern and exotic western Caribbean schedules to complement the line’s popular four- and five-day cruises to Mexico.

The Carnival Triumph’s seven-day cruises will depart on Saturdays, with exotic western Caribbean voyages visiting Belize City; Isla Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel; and eastern Caribbean cruises calling at Key West, Freeport and Nassau. Four-day cruises will depart Thursdays to Cozumel, while five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.

Carnival Triumph will operate 65 departures annually from New Orleans, carrying approximately 200,000 passengers — the most of any cruise line. Carnival Fantasy, which currently sails from New Orleans, will be deployed to Mobile, Ala., to operate four- and five-day cruises beginning in November 2009.

Four- to Seven-Day Cruises from New Orleans

Carnival Triumph will make its New Orleans debut with a special four-day cruise departing Tuesday, Nov. 10, then launch its new year-round four-, five- and seven-day schedule beginning with a weeklong voyage departing Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009.

Four-day Carnival Triumph cruises departing Thursdays visit Cozumel, a 308-square-mile island offering world-class beaches, myriad watersports and a diversity of restaurants, shops and nightspots. Five-day cruises departing Mondays and Saturdays feature both Cozumel and Progreso, located along Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula offering access to centuries-old ruins and archeological sites, including Chitzen Itza, recently named one of Seven Wonders of the World.

Seven-day exotic western Caribbean cruises departing Saturdays visit Belize, a tropical paradise where guests can visit Mayan ruins and enjoy myriad eco-tourism opportunities; and Isla Roatan, a breathtaking Honduran island distinguished by gorgeous white-sand beaches and lush countryside. A daylong visit to Cozumel rounds out this weeklong itinerary.

The eastern Caribbean route will feature Key West, the southernmost city in the U.S. known for its excellent shopping and watersports and perpetually laid back atmosphere. The itinerary also includes two popular Bahamian ports — Freeport, the island chain’s second largest city offering stunning beaches and exciting golfing, shopping and dining opportunities; and Nassau, the bustling capital known for outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and historical landmarks.