More Carnival News - Carnival Dream to Homeport in Port Canaveral

Looks like today is a Carnival News day. I try to post a maximum of 3 items in a day (so those of you on news readers won't miss something because it scrolled down before you saw it), so might as well finish off today with one last piece of Carnival news.

The new Carnival Dream, the first of a new class of vessel debuting in Fall, 2009, will call Port Canaveral, Florida, home. The 3,652-passenger ship still does not have announced itineraries, nor do we know if she will replace Carnival Glory which currently also sails from Port Canaveral.

This port has been growing in popularity, with Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney ships all homeporting there. With Disney's expansion, the Freedom of the Seas moving there in 2009, and this possible addition by Carnival, this could be a very busy port indeed.

Carnival’s Spa Staterooms to be Non-Smoking

If you think about it, this new policy really shouldn't surprise anyone. Carnival announced that their new Spa staterooms and suites, debuting on the Carnival Splendour later this year, will be non-smoking:

"The Carnival Splendor Cloud 9 Spa will be the perfect place for guests to relax and rejuvenate. Created to provide a heavenly atmosphere and ensure all guests enjoy their stay, the Cloud 9 Spa will be promoted as a smoke-free environment. Thus, all Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites have been designated as non-smoking areas with smoking strictly prohibited.

Guests who are currently booked will be notified and all marketing materials are being updated. Moving forward guests will be informed at time of booking, through marketing material and via "No smoking" signs prominently placed in each spa stateroom.

In order to preserve the Cloud 9 Spa standards and ensure staterooms are free of smoke residue, Carnival will assess a $250 reconditioning fee per spa stateroom for guests that do not comply with the non-smoking policy. This fee will cover the cost of deep-cleaning required to restore the room back to its original smoke free condition. In our efforts to accommodate guests wishing to smoke, they may do so on the outdoor decks and in lounges (excluding the main show lounge)."

Wave of the future? Definitely. Smoking costs the cruise lines in many ways. While entirely non-smoking ships were economically unviable (just think back to the Carnival Paradise - popular among her fans, but overall an operational failure), limited smoking onboard makes sense financially and otherwise to the cruise lines.

Carnival Revises Dress Code

Perhaps in an attempt to clarify what is and is not expected onboard, but probably more specifically to prohibit the use of those wheeled shoes (sometimes called Heelies) onboard (thank you, Carnival!), Carnival has released a new dress code policy for all their ships effective May 19, 2008:

What to wear?

Casual attire is the order of the day. We suggest shorts, sundresses, tank
tops, etc. for the ladies, and for men; shorts, polo shirts, T-shirts, etc. will do.
We suggest you wear rubber-soled, low heeled or flat shoes for extra traction
while onboard. The use of any footwear with wheels, including but not
limited, to Heelys© shoes, is prohibited on board our ships. For dining you
may want to dress up a bit and/or bring along a light sports jacket or
cardigan.

Most evenings we have a Cruise Casual dress code, but there are those
Cruise Elegant evenings one or two nights throughout your "Fun Ship"
voyage, where you will have the opportunity to showcase your more elegant
attire. For those who want casual attire for dinner time, the Seaview Bistro on
the Lido Deck is open nightly, and has a more relaxed theme. Both dress
codes for the dining rooms are described below.

Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis,
jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual
dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants,
dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in the dining room during the
Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball
shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts
for men.

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress
shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or
tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses,
pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you`d like to show off your evening
gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise
Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops,
bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear,
and baseball hats.

Special Sailings
For Canada/New England/Alaska cruises: Sweaters, lightweight jackets
and raincoats are suggested. Casual clothes that can be layered easily are
highly recommended. Bring a heavier sweater if you are traveling to the
glaciers, along with a raincoat and umbrella, because it is often cold and
windy in such areas.

For South America and Europe cruises: Comfortable shoes and a just-incase
raincoat. Bring a sweater if you are traveling to the glaciers, along with
a raincoat and umbrella, because it is often cold and windy in such areas.

Special note: It is essential that you wear the proper apparel when visiting
the Vatican and other religious sites (no bare legs or shoulders).