By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Cruise Lines is to base two ships year-round at the Port of New Orleans until at least 2019.
Superseding the operator’s existing three-year homeporting contract with the port, which was signed in 2013, the new agreement became effective on 1 July 2014. It offers three one-year options that could guarantee Carnival homeports at least two ships of equal, or greater, size than the ships it currently bases at the port until 2022.
“This is a clear demonstration of Carnival’s belief in New Orleans as one of its top home ports,” said Gary LaGrange, the port’s president and CEO. “We look forward to helping Carnival grow its business in the Crescent City for the long-term.”
Carnival currently has two vessels sailing year-round from New Orleans’ Erato Street Cruise Terminal, which was recently renovated to accommodate the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream. In April 2014, Carnival Dream began sailing a series of seven-day eastern and western Caribbean cruises, while Carnival Elation offers four- and five-day voyages to Mexico. Together, the ships carry more than 400,000 passengers annually from New Orleans, which is more than any other cruise line operating at the port.
“Carnival is excited to continue our outstanding relationship with the Port of New Orleans,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. “We greatly value the professionalism of our partners at the port, the ease of operating from New Orleans and the tremendous support we receive from the local community and our valued travel agent partners. Our guests – particularly those from Louisiana – love cruising from the Crescent City and we look forward to continuing our New Orleans programme for many years to come.”