By
Elizabeth Robinson |
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle has started a year-round programme of seven-day cruises from Tampa, doubling the line’s capacity at the Florida port.
Carnival Miracle joins Carnival Paradise, which offers voyages to the Caribbean and Cuba, at Port Tampa Bay. The two ships will carry an estimated total of 280,000 passengers annually from the port.
“Carnival Cruise Line has been sailing from Tampa for nearly 25 years and we’re thrilled to add a second year-round ship to provide our guests with an even greater variety of fantastic cruise vacation choices from this convenient homeport,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We would like to recognise our partners at Port Tampa Bay and the Tampa community, as well as our valued travel agent partners, for their efforts in making Tampa one of our most popular and successful embarkation ports.”
“We’re delighted that Carnival Cruise Line will have two year-round cruise ships dedicated to the Tampa market,” said Paul Anderson, president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay. “It speaks to the record-breaking demand of passengers in the Tampa Bay area wanting to get on a Carnival cruise.”
On the week-long Tampa-based cruise programme, Carnival Miracle departs from Port Tampa Bay and calls at four Caribbean ports: Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay and Belize.
Carnival recently added several six- to 14-day sailings aboard Carnival Miracle visiting ports throughout the Caribbean. Guest will also have the opportunity to experience a partial transit of the Panama Canal.
Carnival Miracle will also offer a 14-day Carnival Journeys Panama Canal cruise round-trip from Tampa in December 2018, featuring Cozumel and Limon prior to a partial Panama Canal transit followed by visits to Cartagena, Aruba, Curacao and Montego Bay.
Guests sailing aboard Carnival Miracle can visit the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, Nick and Nora’s steakhouse, a 14,500-square-foot spa, and a Serenity adults-only retreat. Of the ship’s 1,062 staterooms, 80% feature an ocean view or private balcony.
Family-friendly options include Seuss at Sea, an exclusive partnership with Dr Seuss Enterprises, Hasbro, The Game Show, with adaptations of the company’s games and complimentary programming for children.