Carnival Freedom's European Cruises Offer Fun-Filled Family Vacations

Today's families are seeking interesting vacation options that offer exciting and rewarding experiences. European cruising – combining the opportunity to explore centuries-old cities with the amenities and conveniences of a “floating resort” -- offers the ideal all-ages vacation.

To cater to this growing market, Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom will offer fun-filled activities and expansive facilities for children of all ages, along with two distinctly different European itineraries featuring the region’s most magnificent destinations.

The new 2,974-passenger SuperLiner is set to debut March 5, 2007, with a nine-day Mediterranean voyage, then launch a schedule of 12-day Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises beginning March 14, 2007.

“Families have moved beyond the summer road trip and are gravitating toward enriching cultural experiences they can share together,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. “A ‘Fun Ship’ cruise to Europe is the perfect choice for families, who can enjoy all the region has to offer - famous art, architecture and culinary experiences – then return to familiar surroundings where they can enjoy Carnival’s unique shipboard environment, including complimentary programs for children and teens,” he added.

Expansive 4,200-Square-Foot Play Area

A spacious 4,200-square-foot play area is the focal point of the Carnival Freedom’s “Camp Carnival” program. The facility is divided into five distinct areas: a “movie room” featuring a 16-monitor video wall displaying kids’ favorite films and cartoons; an arts-and-crafts center with spin and sand art and candy-making machines; a “soft play area” with padded play equipment for the under-2 set; a gaming room with PlayStation 2 consoles; and a children’s library with youth-oriented books.

The play area is also the site for “Camp Carnival” activities, including programming focusing on music, reading, art, geography, science and physical fitness.

New Club O2 Teen Club, Special Amenities for Teens

Aboard Carnival Freedom, teens have a place to call their own with “Club O2,” the ship’s 1,800-square-foot teen club. Designed for kids ages 15 to 17, the facility includes a dance floor, a DJ, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, a lounge serving non-alcoholic specialty drinks, and a video game room with 60 of the latest video and arcade games. There will also be a library with popular teen-oriented books and magazines.

As part of Carnival’s youth spa program, children ages 12-14 and their parents can enjoy soothing body and beauty treatments together on port days. Through Carnival’s popular teen shore excursion program, teen counselors will accompany kids ages 12-17 who can partake in a variety of “just-for-teens” shoreside experiences during Carnival Freedom’s European voyages.

Other Family-Friendly Amenities

Sure to be popular with kids and adults alike are Carnival Freedom’s four swimming pools, including a pool on Panorama Deck featuring Carnival’s signature 214-foot-long “Twister Waterslide.” Also featured will be “Carnival’s Seaside Theatre,” a 270-square-foot LED screen located poolside on Lido Deck and displaying movies, concerts and other programming.

For parents, grandparents and children who want to spend some quality time together as a family, multi-generational activities such as arts and crafts sessions, “family water play” and make-your-own-sundae sessions, will also be available.

Carnival Freedom will also offer dozens of interconnecting accommodations – ideal for large families or family gatherings – along with special discounts for third and fourth guests staying in the same stateroom.

In addition to the line’s popular fleetwide stroller rental program, babysitting will be available at a nominal per-hour fee and will take place in the children’s playroom. Bouncy seats, travel swings and GameBoy Advance portable gaming units will be available for rent, as well.

Special kid-friendly dining options include children’s menus in the main dining rooms, 24-hour pizza and ice cream at the poolside restaurant, a children’s turn-down service providing freshly baked cookies at bedtime, and Carnival’s “Fountain Fun Card,” which, for a one-time fee, provides unlimited soft drinks throughout the voyage. Children can also have dinner with the youth counselors in the Lido restaurant.

Exciting Cruise Itineraries to the Mediterranean, Greek Isles and Turkey

Carnival Freedom is slated to debut on March 5, 2007, with a nine-day Mediterranean voyage then launch a schedule of 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” and “Mediterranean & Greek Isles” cruises March 14, 2007. All voyages operate round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).

The nine-day Med voyage begins with an overnight call in Venice March 5 and includes stops at Dubrovnik, Croatia; Katakolon and Athens, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; and Naples, Italy.

The 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” cruises visit Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. The 12-day “Mediterranean & Greek Isles” cruises include Naples, Italy; Rhodes, Greece; Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; and Livorno, Italy, as well as an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia).

More than 80 different shore excursion choices, along with a variety of pre- and post-cruise land stays in Rome, are also available.

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