As part of an ongoing effort to streamline the embarkation process, Carnival Cruise Lines has installed self-service check-in kiosks at its Port of Miami cruise terminal.

The state-of-the-art kiosks provide guests with a fast and convenient way to check in for their “Fun Ship” cruise.

To use Carnival’s self service kiosks, guests must have pre-registered online and be a U.S. or Canadian citizen, or from a Visa waiver country.  To access their booking information and check in via the kiosk, guests simply swipe their passport or the credit card used to pre-register online. Additionally, the kiosks accept cash deposits for guests’ shipboard Sail & Sign accounts. Once guests have successfully checked in, the station prints a receipt confirming that their registration process is completed and directs them to pick up their stateroom keys at a nearby desk.

The kiosks are part of a pilot program at the Port of Miami and, if met with positive response from guests, will be expanded to the line’s other year-round homeports.

The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, Carnival Cruise Lines’ largest ship, is shown here conducting sea trials in the Adriatic Sea in preparation for its Sept. 21 debut from Europe.

Currently under construction by the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, near Trieste, the 3,646-passenger vessel had a full contingent of officers, technicians and engineers on board who thoroughly tested the Carnival Dream’s sophisticated navigation and mechanical systems. Following sea trials, Carnival Dream returned to Monfalcone, where it will undergo final interior outfitting.

Carnival Dream will usher in an exciting new era of “Fun Ship” cruising and offer a host of innovations, including Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor café and entertainment venue, cantilevered whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s sides, and a variety of accommodation categories, including cove balconies that are closer to the water line and five-berth, two-bathroom staterooms that will be ideal for families.

Carnival Dream is scheduled to enter service in Europe Sept. 21 operating a series of Mediterranean cruises before repositioning to New York for eight-day cruises Nov. 15 and 23. The ship will operate a special nine-day cruise from Port Canaveral Dec. 3 then launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from that port Dec. 12.

This amateur video was posted on YouTube.

And we while have no idea who these people are or what they are saying, we do know that this footage shows the Carnival Dream in the Adriatic on her sea trials which run through July 2.

We only wish that these folks could have held their camera a little steadier! And while we’re unclear on their narration of the video, we only have one word to describe the massive 3,646-passenger ship – FABULOSO!

The largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed, Carnival Dream is carrying a full complement of technicians and engineers during her sea trials and these highly skilled individuals are putting the 130,000-ton cruise ship through a variety of exercises to check the engines and other machinery on board.

Set to debut in Europe Sept. 21, Carnival Dream will offer a host of innovative features and facilities, ushering in an exciting new era in “Fun Ship” cruising.

With Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships returning to Mexico earlier this month, the line is currently offering some exceptionally attractive rates on its  shorter itineraries departing from Long Beach and San Diego.

Early Saver rates starting from only $169 per person are available on three- and four-day mid-week voyages aboard the Carnival Elation from San Diego, as well as four-day voyages on the Carnival Paradise from Long Beach.

Early Saver rates are available up to three months prior to sailing date for cruises of five days or less and up to five months prior to sailing date for longer length voyages.  The special fares include all stateroom types, including suites, and come with a rate protection feature if rates later drop below what the consumer originally paid.

Attractive rates are also available on Carnival Elation’s new four-day weekend and five-day cruises that begin next month featuring extended visits to the beautiful Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas.  Unique to this program is the five-day itinerary departing Saturdays that features two full days in Cabo San Lucas. 

Carnival’s West Coast shorter cruise options include:

• Three- and four-day Baja cruises aboard the Carnival Paradise year-round from Long Beach, providing a fun getaway at an excellent value. Three-day cruises departing Fridays call at Ensenada, while four-day voyages departing Mondays visit Ensenada and Catalina Island.  Early Saver rates start at $219 per person for three-day cruises and $169 per person for four-day cruises.   
• Three-, four- and five-day Baja or Cabo sailings on the Carnival Elation year-round from San Diego. Three-day cruises departing Fridays visit Ensenada. Four-day cruises departing Mondays call at Ensenada and Catalina Island, while four-day weekend cruises depart Thursdays and feature Cabo San Lucas.  Five-day cruises departing Saturdays offer two full days in Cabo San Lucas, while five-day cruises departing Mondays stop at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.   Early Saver rates start at $169 per person for three-day and four-day mid-week cruises; $259 per person for four-day weekend cruises; and $299 per person for five-day cruises.

Rates are based on double occupancy, reflect category 4 (interior) accommodations for select fall sailings and are subject to change without notice.      

For additional information and reservations contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Isaac Levy certainly knows a good thing when he sees it! 

The 90-year-old resident of Redondo Beach, Calif., has been sailing on Carnival Cruise Lines’ four-day Baja Mexico itinerary once a month for the past 14 years, dating back to when the cruise ship Holiday first began the program from Southern California in 1995. 

Aside from taking an annual break from Carnival cruising during the summer, Levy has sailed on nearly 100 four-day “Fun Ship” Baja cruises over the past 14 years, most recently on the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise which currently operates the program.

Levy (third from left) is pictured here with several members of the Carnival Paradise’s management team, including F&B Manager Ganesh Khalipe (far left); Guest Services Manager Kua Ngamkamolrat (second from left); Captain Vito Garuccio (third from right); Cruise Director Felipe Couto (second from right); and Housekeeping Manager Malgorzata Palucka.

Carnival Paradise sails year-round from Long Beach, Calif., offering four-day cruises departing Mondays to Ensenada and Catalina Island and three-day cruises departing Fridays to Ensenada.

The 35^th anniversary of Cherie Weinstein, Carnival Cruise Lines’ vice president of group business development, was marked with a surprise reception at the company’s Miami headquarters. Weinstein is the longest tenured employee at Carnival Cruise Lines.

Weinstein’s contributions to Carnival were recognized with a number of gifts and accolades, including her 35-year anniversary pin which was presented to her by Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill.  Weinstein also received a ship’s bell from the Carnival cruise ship Celebration, which was retired from the fleet, among numerous other gifts.

Weinstein joined Carnival Cruise Lines in 1974 when the company had only one ship, the TSS Mardi Gras.  Over the years, she has played a critical role in the growth and success of the company, which now operates 22 ships and carries 3.8 million passengers annually – the most in the cruise industry.

The 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor departed the Port of Long Beach, Calif., yesterday on a seven-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera, marking the resumption of cruises to Mexico on Carnival’s newest and largest ship.

On this route, Carnival Splendor visits three of the Mexican Riviera’s most popular ports of call:  Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, each of which is known for its excellent beaches and watersports, as well as outstanding shopping and dining opportunities.

The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor began service from Long Beach in April of this year and operates weekly round-trip cruises departing every Sunday.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, which launched year-round seven-day service from Long Beach, Calif., in April, received a perfect 100 score on its most recent inspection by the United States Public Health Service.         

The largest ship in the Carnival fleet, the 3,006-passenger vessel received perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the U.S. Public Health Service’s comprehensive Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) checklist. 

The unannounced inspections, which are conducted twice a year and required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a U.S. port, evaluate vessels in a wide variety of areas, including adherence to proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, and overall galley cleanliness.  Ships’ potable water supplies used in spas and pools are evaluated, as well.

Following the tremendous success of a laser tag pilot program on the Carnival Valor earlier this year, the line has expanded the attraction to two additional ships – Carnival Elation, which sails from San Diego, and Carnival Conquest, departing from Galveston. Another laser tag installation is scheduled for the Carnival Victory, which operates year-round from San Juan, beginning next week.

The inflatable laser tag arena, which operates at various times throughout the day and evening in the ship’s main lounge, has been met with outstanding response from guests sailing on the Carnival Valor.

Each session allows four players at time – either individually or in teams of two — to battle it out against each other in a fog-filled dome for an exciting five minute session. The cost is $5 per person.

The attraction is planned for other Carnival ships in the future.

The 46,000-ton Holiday became the first Carnival Cruise Lines ship to resume visits to Progreso this week, part of a five-day voyage that departed Mobile, Ala., on Saturday.  

The ship’s arrival was marked with a special reception attended by a number of local dignitaries, including the Yucatan Governor Ivonne Ortega Pacheco.

Cruise guests enjoyed a warm welcome from local mariachis and folklore dancers. Captain Carmelo Marino is pictured here being interviewed by local media who also attended the festivities.

The Holiday departs year-round from Mobile on four-day cruises departing Thursdays to Cozumel and five-day voyages departing Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen or Progreso.