Carnival Cruise Lines will build upon its distinction as New Orleans´ number-one cruise operator when it deploys a second year-round ship to New Orleans, the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph, in August 2007. Carnival will be the only cruise line to operate year-round from New Orleans and, with the deployment of the line´s 2,056-passenger Fantasy to New Orleans in October, will now offer four-, five- and seven-day cruise to one of the most attractive destinations in the western Caribbean.

A few months ago we reported that Aruba is to become homeport for Pullmantur Cruise Enterprises, Spain´s leading cruise operators, for one year starting November 4. The 181-meter-long, 800-passenger cruise ship “Blue Moon” will use Aruba as homeport while the passengers will be flown in directly from Spain on a 747 plane.

Carnival Cruise Lines announced that the 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom will operate year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from the Port of Miami beginning in November 2007, becoming the newest “Fun Ship” to operate from that port. Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Maghera, Italy, the 2,974-passenger Super Liner will launch alternating weeklong eastern and western Caribbean cruises from the Port of Miami beginning November 17, 2007.

Oceania will make its first foray to the waters off Australia and New Zealand in January 2008, an Oceania spokesman confirmed. Oceania executive vice president Bob Binder revealed the news itinerary during the line´s annual Oceania Club Reunion cruise, a sailing at the end of June to the British Isles and Iceland that was predominately filled with past Oceania guests.

Celebrity Cruises is partnering with local Australian tour operators to provide two pre- or post-cruise Australia land tours in its inaugural season in Australia and New Zealand starting November 2007. Guests on the Celebrity Mercury, which will operate six 15-day sailings in the region, can choose between two “cruise tours” out of Sydney.

For consumers seeking a fun, affordable vacation aboard one of the cruise industry´s most modern “floating resorts,” Carnival Cruise Lines´ new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom will offer a 14-day transatlantic crossing in fall 2007, with prices starting at low as $799 per person. The Carnival Freedom´s transatlantic crossing will depart Rome October 28, and arrive in Miami November 11, 2007.