Dec. 14, 2001 — Carnival Cruise Lines on Wednesday added another ship, the 2,124-passenger Pride, to its "Fun Ship" fleet.
Carnival took delivery of the Pride, the line's 16th Fun Ship, in a traditional maritime hand-over ceremony at Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland. The 88,500-ton Pride departed Helsinki on Thursday on a 13-day transatlantic crossing, arriving in Miami Dec. 26. The Pride will sail on its inaugural cruise, a six-day western Caribbean voyage from Miami, Dec. 30. It will then reposition to its permanent homeport of Port Canaveral, Fla., from where it will launch seven-day eastern and western Caribbean service, becoming the newest and largest cruise ship to operate year-round from Port Canaveral.
Following the hand-over ceremony in Finland, Carnival Pride's sister ship, the 88,500-ton Carnival Legend, was floated out of her building dock. Now in the final stages of construction, Carnival Legend will inaugurate the line's first-ever European sailings in August 2002.
"For these two events – the delivery of the Carnival Pride and the float-out of the Carnival Legend – to take place on the same day is truly special and marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of Carnival Cruise Lines," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president.
In addition to the Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend, the line has four other vessels scheduled for delivery between now and 2004 — the 88,500-ton Carnival Miracle and the 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory and Carnival Valor.
Carnival Pride offers a variety of resort-style amenities and facilities, including 16 themed bars and lounges. Other features include a 13,700-square-foot health spa, a duty-free shopping mall, an Internet café, four swimming pools, and a high-tech children's play area. A wedding chapel and conference center are included, as well.
Dining options range from a poolside eatery and a 24-hour pizzeria, a two-deck-high formal dining room, and a "steakhouse-style" supper club.
Additionally, 80 percent of the ship's 1,062 staterooms offer an ocean view with 80 percent of those featuring private balconies.
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