Carnival Takes Delivery of New 130,000-Ton Carnival Magic

Carnival Takes Delivery of New 130,000-Ton Carnival Magic

Carnival Cruise Lines on April 27 accepted delivery of the corporation’s 100th ship, the Carnival Magic, in ceremonies at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, where the vessel was built.

In recognition of this achievement, on April 29 all guests sailing aboard Carnival Corp. & plc’s 100 ships will enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at dinner to commemorate this milestone. All told, more than 227,000 guests across the company’s 10 cruise brands will participate in the toast, believed to be the largest celebration of its kind at sea.

Following the traditional maritime hand-over ceremony in Italy, Carnival Magic will debut on May 1 with a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice to Barcelona.

Prior to the departure of its inaugural voyage, the 130,000-ton vessel will be named by its godmother, Lindsey Wilkerson, a former patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who now serves as an employee and ambassador of the organization. The choice of Wilkerson as godmother is a tribute to Carnival’s ongoing partnership with St. Jude, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

As the line’s newest ship, Carnival Magic will introduce several innovations, including the RedFrog Pub, a Caribbean-inspired watering hole with its own private-label draft beer; Cocina del Capitano, a family-style Italian restaurant that brings the heritage of Carnival’s captains to the table; and SportSquare, an open-air recreation complex with the first ropes course and outdoor fitness area at sea.

Other features include a WaterWorks aqua park with a 312-foot-long spiral water slide and other attractions; The Lanai, a wraparound promenade with an outdoor barbeque area and whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s sides; and Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue.

“The delivery of a new cruise ship to one of our brands is always a proud and exciting moment,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. “It is particularly meaningful that delivery of Carnival Corporation & plc’s 100th ship is for the Carnival Cruise Lines brand, which provided the foundation upon which Carnival Corporation & plc was established and, ultimately, grew into the largest cruise operator in the world with 10 global brands.”

Following the May 1 inaugural voyage from Venice, Carnival Magic will sail a series of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean departures from Barcelona through Oct. 16, then reposition to Galveston for year-round seven-day Caribbean departures beginning Nov. 14, becoming the largest ship ever based at the port year-round.