Carnival Takes Delivery of Carnival Miracle

Carnival Cruise Lines has taken delivery of its 20th Fun Ship, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle. The delivery took place during traditional handover ceremonies in Helsinki at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, the Finnish shipyard that constructed the massive $375 million SuperLiner. Carnival Miracle is the sixth cruise ship in the Spirit class series of new Panamax-size cruise ships for Carnival Cruise Lines (four ships) and Costa Crociere (two ships). The first ship in the series, Costa Atlantica, was delivered in year 2000. Carnival Spirit and Carnival Pride were delivered in 2001, Carnival Legend in 2002 and Costa Mediterranea followed in 2003 Following a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Helsinki to Jacksonville, Fla., Carnival Miracle will be officially named February 27, 2004, by former Army private Jessica Lynch, then depart on its inaugural three-day voyage from Jacksonville, marking the first time that Carnival has ever operated from this Northeast Florida port. Carnival Miracle will operate three-, five- and six-day departures from Jacksonville through April 17, followed by a series of seven-day cruises from Baltimore and New York through the fall. The ship will then reposition to Tampa to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises Nov. 7, 2004, becoming that port's newest and largest cruise ship. "Not only is the Carnival Miracle a spectacular 'Fun Ship' with all the features and facilities desired by today's discriminating vacationers, it also will operate a truly innovative inaugural schedule with departures from four convenient U.S. homeports, including our first-ever voyages from Jacksonville," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "We are also very honored that Jessica Lynch, who represents the thousands of brave men and women of our armed forces, will be naming this vessel in Jacksonville, a city that possesses a storied maritime and military history," he added. Of the ship's 1,062 staterooms, 80 percent offer an ocean view with 80 percent of those featuring private balconies. Carnival is accepting reservations on all of the Carnival Miracle's 2004 departures.