Carnival To Launch First Of Three New Cruise Ships In 2017

Carnival Corporation & plc recently launched the Seabourn Encore, the first of three new ships that will enter service in 2017 across three of its 10 global cruise brands. Carnival Corporation will also launch Majestic Princess from Princess Cruises in April, which will be the world’s first cruise ship built specifically for the Chinese market, and its Germany-based AIDA Cruises brand in July will launch AIDAperla, one of the world’s most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced ships.

Following the launch of Seabourn Encore, the upcoming 2017 additions of Majestic Princess and AIDAperla are part of the 17 ships scheduled for delivery for Carnival Corporation and its brands through 2022, creating measured capacity growth over time that enables the company’s global fleet to meet accelerating demand for cruise vacations in every region of the world.

“On the heels of launching three new ships in 2016, it is exciting to have three more new ships join our fleet in 2017 as we re-invest on multiple fronts to continue raising the bar in providing our guests with a great vacation experience at an exceptional value,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation.

Added Frizzell: “Introducing new ships is part of our long-term strategy to build state-of-the-art vessels that are highly efficient to operate while creating excitement and demand among consumers. Of course, as stunning and beautiful as our new and existing ships are, what matters even more is the passionate focus of our 120,000 employees on providing our guests with extraordinary experiences to over 700 ports around the world that land-based vacations simply cannot match. All in all, it is rewarding to see more and more consumers recognizing that cruising is the world’s best vacation and vacation value.”

The three new ships scheduled to join Carnival Corporation’s fleet include:

Seabourn: Seabourn Encore – Official launch date of January 2017

Seabourn Encore, the fourth all-suite ship in Seabourn’s fleet, was launched Jan. 7 at a festive evening ceremony pier side at Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore, a key Asian shipping hub and popular homeport in southeast Asia for Carnival Corporation cruise ships. The launch featured international recording artist and world’s best-selling soprano Sarah Brightman presiding over the naming ceremony as godmother of the new 600-guest ship.

The vessel was designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany and features contemporary interiors and modern design elements and innovations consistent with the line’s reputation for understated elegance. Tihany is also designing a second ship, Seabourn Ovation, which is currently under construction and scheduled to launch in spring 2018.

Seabourn Encore will expand and build on the line’s award-winning Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. The 40,350-gross ton ship is configured with one additional deck, expanded public areas and a private veranda for every suite.

Seabourn Encore will maintain the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalized service by its exceptional crew.
The new vessel continues Seabourn’s reputation as the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line. Seabourn has been named the “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” by readers of both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines. Cruise Critic named Seabourn “Best for Luxury,” and numerous other publications have recognized the brand for its luxurious accommodations, extraordinary level of service, exceptional dining and unrivaled spa facilities.

Princess Cruises: Majestic Princess – Official launch date of April 2017

Majestic Princess will be the world’s first cruise ship built specifically for the Chinese market, where Carnival Corporation, led by Princess Cruises and Italy-based Costa Cruises, maintains industry leadership in a market expected to eventually become the world’s largest cruising region. The 143,000-ton vessel, with capacity for 3,560 guests based on double occupancy, will showcase the exclusive Princess Class experience enhanced with features designed specifically for Chinese travelers.

Majestic Princess will also offer the international flavor of cruising with Princess Cruises, drawn from the brand’s award-winning expertise as the world’s leader in premium destination cruising.
Majestic Princess will be the only cruise ship that offers two specialty dinner menus designed by Michelin star chefs at sea in China.

One offering is Harmony, created in partnership with Richard Chen, former chef of Wing Lei – the first Chinese restaurant in North America awarded a Michelin star. Harmony will feature haute Chinese cuisine paired with pristine ocean views and modern décor, serving Chen’s interpretation of classic Cantonese dishes. The second Michelin star dining experience will be “La Mer – A French Bistro” from three-Michelin star chef Emmanuel Renaut.

The ship will also offer Princess’ signature Movies Under the Stars, with the largest outdoor screen at sea, and the exciting Princess Water Color Fantasy fountain and light show.

Guests will also experience the signature SeaWalk, the industry’s first glass-floor walkway at sea, and SeaView Bar featuring “flair” bartending with the best views at sea.

The Piazza Atrium, the central focal point of the ship, features live entertainment throughout the day and evening. It is a grand spectacle surrounded by The Shops of Princess, nearly 1,100 square meters of luxury boutiques, which include designer brand shops from Cartier, Bvlgari and Chopard and leather goods from Burberry and Gucci, to name a few.

Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families and multigenerational travelers, and all outside staterooms will have private balconies.

AIDA Cruises: AIDAperla – Official launch date of July 2017

AIDAperla is the 12th and second of a new-generation vessel in the fleet for AIDA Cruises, the most recognized cruise brand in Germany and one of the country’s fastest-growing and most successful tourism businesses that has pioneered the “green cruising” concept. At 124,500 tons with 1,643 cabins, AIDAperla will be among the world’s most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly cruise ships.

AIDAperla will – like its sister ship AIDAprima — feature the revolutionary hull design that significantly enhances energy efficiency. It will also use the Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS), which was a first in the cruise industry on AIDAprima. This modern technology enables the ships to glide on a cushion of air, further reducing fuel consumption.

The ship will also feature AIDA’s Spray Bar, an exclusive, all-white champagne lounge, which is spread across two decks and operated via partnership with Moët & Chandon.

More New Ships to Join Fleet in 2018

In 2018, Carnival Corporation plans to launch three new ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Seabourn. The Carnival Horizon, sister ship of the Carnival Vista, from Carnival Cruise Line is scheduled for delivery in March 2018; the Seabourn Ovation from Seabourn is scheduled for delivery in spring 2018; and ms Nieuw Statendam, sister ship of ms Koningsdam, from Holland America Line is scheduled for delivery in November 2018.

Princess Cruises To Debut Ocean Medallion Class – Offering The Next Wave Of Vacation Travel

First Carnival Corporation Brand to Provide Elevated Experience Personalization, Customization 

and Simplicity

 Princess Cruises, a long-time innovator of cruise industry products, will be the first Carnival Corporation

 brand to feature the Ocean Medallion™, a wearable device powered by a first-of-its-kind interactive 

technology platform within the O·C·E·A·N, One Cruise Experience Access Network. The Ocean Medallion

 enables a new level of personalization that delivers an enhanced guest experience previously not 

available in the global vacation industry.

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald unveiled the Ocean Medallion today during his opening

 keynote at CES 2017, the world's largest consumer technology trade show. The Ocean Medallion

 is the only accessory needed to elevate the guest experience on cruises. Ocean Medallion Class™

 will be available November 13, 2017, onboard Regal Princess, followed by Royal Princess and 

Caribbean Princess in early 2018.

"We are in the business of providing our guests incredible vacation experiences that create memories

 that they will cherish for a lifetime," said Jan Swartz, president, Princess Cruises.  "Ocean Medallion Class

 will deliver an elevated cruise vacation experience by connecting people, places and cultures from 

around the world in a more profound way. The service Princess guests have always loved will be amplified

 by the Ocean Medallion."

Medallion Class makes Ocean Vacations more personal, immersive, simple and seamless than previously

 considered possible. At the heart of this personalized experience is the Ocean Medallion, which enables 

endless vacation possibilities. The Ocean Medallion has no discernible technology – no on-off switch, no

 charging, no menu to navigate – and can be worn as a pendant on a wristband in a clip or simply placed

 in a pocket to reveal enhanced services and personalized experiences without guests having to push a

 button or take any action. The pre-cruise engage will allow guests to provide preferences that detail

 their wants, needs and desires so that their onboard experience can be personalized. 

Pairing with the Ocean Medallion is the Ocean Compass™ (for both guests and crew). The Ocean Compass

 is a personal digital experience concierge accessible by all guests using interactive displays throughout the

 ship, on stateroom TVs or via guests' own mobile devices.  For example, guests can find their way to

 venues around the ship; make reservations at the Lotus Spa, specialty dining restaurant and shore

 excursions; arrange celebrations; view photographs; learn about the destinations they will visit and 

activities at each port of call and more. The Ocean Compass via Ocean Concierge will invite guests to

 experiences based on their individual needs, wants and desires.

Loyal Princess cruisers and potential future cruisers collectively feel having an exceptional vacation

 occurs when guests' vacation time is spent doing more of what they love. With Ocean Medallion

 Class on Princess Cruises, there is endless possibility for personalized attention and the ability to

 truly relax knowing everything will be handled. Some of the initial service innovations include:

• Ocean Ready: The Ocean Medallion expedites embarkation as required information is added
•  to the guest profile at home.
• Stateroom Access: The Ocean Medallion will also unlock a guest's stateroom door – replacing
•  the key card and its sign and sail functions.
• HERE and NOW™: Guests can place dining orders and have them delivered to their
•  current location. For example, by using the Ocean Compass guests can order select
•  food and beverages from a lounge chair and not miss a moment of Movies Under The Stars.
•  While Stargazing with Discovery at Sea™ on the top deck, parents can order and surprise the
•  kids with hot chocolate without interrupting a moment of the family fun.
• THERE and THEN™: Guests can place a beverage order and have it delivered to where
•  they plan to be at a designated time.  For example, guests wanting to enjoy a glass of wine
•  at the theater can place an order prior to the show and it will be delivered to them at their seat.
• Crew at Your Service: With the OCEAN Medallion, from the moment you embark, your
•  experiences will be curated in alignment with your preferences allowing the crew to assist
•  at all times. For example, a room attendant or bartender will have the ability to assist a
•  guest with booking Lotus Spa services or specialty dining reservations.
• Ocean Navigate: Accessed through the Ocean Compass, guests can learn the whereabouts
•  of their family as they enjoy activities throughout the ship and be guided seamlessly in finding
•  their way around the ship. Friends and family will also be able to easily communicate with each
•  other through seamless messaging service.
• 
  

More announcements surrounding innovations and enhancements from Medallion Class Ocean

 Vacations will be announced in the months leading up to the first sailing on Regal Princess.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by

 calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tour company

 operating a fleet of 18 modern cruise ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of

 choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided with the experience of exceptional

 customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 2.0 million guests

 each year to more than 360 destinations around the globe on more than 150 itineraries ranging in

 length from three to 114 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

About O·C·E·A·N:From sailing to and exploring exotic places to being immersed in authentic cultures with family and

 friends, cruising has always appealed to people who value the travel experience. Now, with 

O·C·E·A·N — One Cruise Experience Access Network™ -- Carnival Corporationis helping

 them transform those experiences into a way of life. Carnival Corporation's new experiential media

 content portfolio features a range of inspirational family- and travel-related TV shows that highlight 

the great destinations, exciting adventures, authentic cultures and cuisine, and beautiful vistas that

 make cruise vacations the fastest growing segment of the vacation sector. Ocean Medallion Class

 is the pinnacle of Ocean Experiences. Ocean Medallion Class leverages Carnival Corporation's

 revolutionary Ocean Medallion™ and Ocean Compass™ to deliver personalization on a level never

 before considered possible. Based on a strategy to make vacations more simple, personal,

 immersive and authentic.

Travelore News: Agreement Signed Between Carnival And Port Authority Of Barcelona

Carnival Corporation Signs Agreement with Port Authority of Barcelona to Build and Operate New Cruise Terminal in Europe's Largest Port
World's largest travel and leisure company will invest more than 30 million euros to construct and operate its second private cruise terminal at Port of Barcelona

Expanding one of five global ports operated by Carnival Corporation, the new Barcelona cruise terminal will be ready to accommodate the company's new class of cruise ships arriving in 2018 and 2019

Carnival Corporation & plc , the world's largest travel and leisure company, today announced it has signed an agreement with the Port Authority of Barcelona to invest more than 30 million euros to build and operate its second private cruise terminal at the Port of Barcelona, which is used by seven of the company's 10 cruise line brands as both a destination and home port. As part of the agreement, the Port Authority granted Carnival Corporation administrative concessions to operate the cruise terminal and all-new parking facility at Europe's largest port and the fourth busiest port in the world.

With the agreement, Carnival Corporation has been granted approval to begin the final design process and start construction of the new terminal in 2016. Scheduled to open as early as 2018 in the Port's Adossat wharf, the new terminal will be one of Europe's largest at 11,500 square meters.

In addition, Carnival Corporation will collaborate with the Port to build and open the first public parking facility located on the cruise pier, providing guests embarking on cruises convenient access to over 300 parking spaces.

"As an all-new, next-generation cruise facility, the terminal will be designed to enhance the overall cruise experience for Carnival Corporation's guests," said Michel Nestour, managing director of Carnival Corporation terminal operations in Barcelona. "This will include making it easy and convenient for guests, whether they are arriving at the terminal to begin a cruise vacation, disembarking following the completion of a cruise or visiting Barcelona as one of the ports of call on a cruise. In all cases, our goal is to exceed guest expectations through every stage of the cruise experience, and this new terminal will be built to meet that goal."

"We are excited about our ongoing partnership with Carnival Corporation to enhance our facilities at the Port of Barcelona and continue our momentum as one of the top cruise destinations in the world," said Sixte Cambra, president of the Port Authority of Barcelona. "This new agreement ensures that we will continue to meet the growing popularity of cruising to and from Barcelona, accommodate the latest in cruise ship designs and most importantly provide cruise passengers with the highest levels of quality and service."

Added Giora Israel, senior vice president of global port and destination development for Carnival Corporation: "In the past several years Barcelona has seen a consistent surge in growth as a very popular destination for our cruise guests. And as the largest port in Europe, it continues to be a great city and port for both our guests and our cruise line brands. We are excited to expand our operations at the Port of Barcelona with our second private terminal, as it enhances our ability to provide a great experience for our guests. Based on our very positive working relationship with our partners in Barcelona, we see a truly bright future for the cruising industry in Barcelona and look forward to continuing to work with the Port and the city of Barcelona to welcome our cruise guests to one of the most beautiful, vibrant and popular cities in Europe and the Mediterranean."

Across its six existing terminals in 2014, the Port of Barcelona had 764 cruise calls and over 2.36 million passenger movements. Overall, according to studies by the Barcelona's Tourist Office in 2013, cruise passengers had an economic impact of nearly 257 million euros in Barcelona based on spending on restaurants, transport and trade in the city. A large percentage of cruise passengers are experienced travelers who take vacations as couples, single-unit families, multi-generational and extended families and friends, and who enjoy exploring cities such as Barcelona on their own or on organized shore excursions to visit museums, churches, restaurants, shops and more.

When Carnival Corporation's terminal is launched in 2018, it will represent a significant expansion of the company's presence in the Port of Barcelona. Carnival Corporation operates four additional global ports, including Puerta Maya in Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Turk Cruise Center in Turks and Caicos Islands; Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras; and Long Beach in California. Carnival Corporation also operates two private island destinations in the Caribbean, Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay.

Carnival Corporation will open Amber Cove in October 2015 in the Puerta Plata region of the Dominican Republic, which will be the company's sixth global port operation. The company is also expanding operations at its Puerta Maya port in Cozumel, adding a third pier to be able to receive three ships simultaneously starting with the upcoming winter cruising season. In total, Carnival Corporation cruise ships visit over 725 ports of call around the world.

Princess Cruises' New Ship To Be Based In China Year Round

Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest cruise company in the world, announced that the new ship currently under construction for Princess Cruises will be based in China year-round when introduced in summer 2017. Based in Shanghai, the ship will be the first year-round international luxury vessel designed and built specifically for Chinese guests.

The as-yet-unnamed ship is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, and will carry approximately 3,600 guests on a variety of itineraries, to be announced at a later date. Based on the design of its highly-acclaimed ships Royal Princess and Regal Princess, the new vessel will feature a number of new innovations customized for the growing number of Chinese cruise vacationers.

"Deploying our next new ship in China underscores our strong commitment to growing the China cruise market and providing discerning travelers with amazing vacation experiences at sea," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

Princess ships began home port cruising in China just last year, with a successful inaugural season of Shanghai-based cruises aboard Sapphire Princess. This ship returns for a second China season which begins on June 4 and runs through October 2015.

The ship will be based on the design of the company's new Royal Princess and Regal Princess which have been enthusiastically received by guests from all over the world for their luxurious and beautifully-designed spaces, array of entertainment and activity options, and multiple culinary venues.

The new ship will share many of these special features which include a dramatic multi-story atrium serving as the social hub of the ship; an over-the-ocean SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; the Princess Live! interactive studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; Princess Watercolor Fantasy, a fountain and music show; Movies Under the Stars featuring the largest outdoor screen at sea; and balconies on all outside staterooms. Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families and multi-generational travelers.
In addition, the new ship will showcase the exclusive Princess Class experience designed specifically for the Chinese market that the company introduced during its first season. Delivered by the ship's dedicated and caring crew, Princess Class enriches the travel experience of each cruise guest, enabling them to participate in unique cultural, culinary, entertaining and inspiring programs including the World Leaders Dinner, traditional English afternoon tea, a Lobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, an ocean-view hot pot dinner option, ballroom dancing, and an unparalleled duty-free shopping experience.

Additionally guests will enjoy the international flavor of cruising with Princess, including experiencing cuisines from China, Japan, Italy, France, and North and South America among other regions; as well as an array of international festivals re-created to celebrate cultures around the world.

"And as this ship is still in the design phase we are looking forward to creating other new and exciting venues and experiences catering to the Chinese vacationer, which we will reveal in the coming months," Swartz added.

Travelore News: Carnival Corporation Expands Presence In Caribbean With $85 Million Port In Dominican Republic

Carnival Corporation, the world's largest travel and leisure company, today announced it will begin welcoming guests at its newly developed Amber Cove port in the Dominican Republic beginning October 2015. Six of Carnival Corporation's nine brands will call on Amber Cove along the country's Amber Coast – a partial filming location for the original Jurassic Park movie – to give cruise passengers another exotic location to explore as part of their vacation experience.

With the opening of the new Amber Cove port, passengers will be able to make stops along the Dominican Republic's north Amber Coast, which has not been regularly visited on cruise itineraries since the 1980s. It will open expanded itinerary options in the Caribbean, the world's most popular region for cruise vacations1, and will pair with the company's Grand Turk Cruise Center only 100 miles to the north to anchor new central Caribbean itineraries for Carnival's nine global brands. In looking to the future, the port is strategically located to be incorporated into itineraries featuring potential stops in Cuba.

The new $85 million facility represents the largest cruise industry investment ever made in the Dominican Republic, and will feature a two-berth port able to accommodate the largest cruise vessels in operation today. Carnival Corporation has monitored the various stages of the port's construction progress with the use of drones, an innovative development that is being used for the first time as part of the company's port development process. The facility, a joint project between Carnival Corporation and the Rannik family of Grupo B&R, is expected to host more than 250,000 cruise passengers in its first year of operation. It will provide approximately 430 local jobs.

"The construction of the cruise port at Amber Cove has been an incredible project for our entire country, as well as the Caribbean region as a whole," said Francisco Javier, tourism director of the Dominican Republic. "Carnival Corporation's investment in Amber Cove has already proven beneficial to the economy, and we expect the investment to have a positive long-lasting economic impact. The new port will also give cruise passengers an opportunity to see another part of the Dominican Republic, our Amber Coast, which hasn't been available as part of cruise itineraries in nearly 30 years. This is a very exciting development."

The port will open with a visit from Carnival Victory from the company's Carnival Cruise Line brand on October 6, 2015. Following this inaugural visit, five additional Carnival Corporation brands are scheduled to make calls on Amber Cove -- including Cunard's Queen Mary 2 on November 22, P&O Cruises' (UK) Azura on December 5, AIDA Cruises' AIDAvita on December 11, Costa Cruises' Costa Deliziosa on December 31 and Holland America Line's ms Eurodam on January 19.
Additional ships from the company's brands are scheduled to call on the port in late 2015 and through 2016 including Carnival Cruise Line's Fantasy, Splendor, Valor, Sunshine, Conquest and Breeze and Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam. These visits will consist of 57 calls by 13 different ships across the six brands taking place between October 2015 and April 2016, accounting for more than 155,000 guests during this period.
As the world's largest cruising market – representing more than 37 percent of the global cruise business2 – the Caribbean is a strategic geographic region for Carnival Corporation and the overall cruise industry and is highly popular for vacationers.

This new port facility in the Dominican Republic underscores the company's focus on creating great vacation experiences, as passengers sailing the Caribbean will have an exciting new destination to visit. It will also give Carnival Corporation's nine global cruise brands the ability to create more diverse itineraries, another important part of the cruise experience. More than 60 percent of cruisers are repeat passengers, and offering robust itineraries keeps the experience fresh and engaging for them.

"There are several markets that are becoming increasingly important to the cruise industry, but today the Caribbean is the single largest share of our business," said Giora Israel, senior vice president of global port and destination development for Carnival Corporation. "We are constantly looking for new ways for our guests to enjoy their cruise experience, and it is always exciting to add new destinations to our itineraries, especially in the Caribbean where many of our passengers have been before. We are confident that our guests will love visiting Amber Cove, which we believe will quickly become a very popular port of call for our guests. And because Amber Cove is easily accessible, it will give our guests a convenient gateway to the Puerto Plata region, which is spectacular. And importantly, Amber Cove will allow us to offer our guests a new option in our Caribbean itineraries."

The opening of Amber Cove adds to the portfolio of cruise destinations Carnival Corporation has developed in the Caribbean. This includes the Grand Turk Cruise Center in the Turks & Caicos Islands, Puerta Maya on the Island of Cozumel, Mexico, and Mahogany Bay on the island of Roatan, Honduras. It is one of roughly 60 ports Carnival Corporation's brands visit in the region.

The Amber Cove port is located in the heart of the Dominican Republic's North Coast just outside the historical town of Puerto Plata, which was discovered by Christopher Columbus in the 1490s and was recently named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the "Best Places to Travel in 2015." This newest Caribbean destination was developed to re-establish the Dominican Republic's North Coast as a popular cruise destination – the last cruise ship to call at Puerto Plata was nearly 30 years ago.

Amber Cove will feature a waterfront welcome center with a variety of retail offerings, including a marketplace for Dominican crafts and souvenirs, as well as a wide range of unique food and beverage establishments. The port will also include a recreational area featuring amenities such as a pool, splash zone and green space areas. The transportation hub -- the single largest component of the port -- will provide visitors easy access by land and sea to the surrounding destinations and attractions.

The new port will host one of the most extensive shore excursion programs available in the Caribbean, offering roughly 40 different landside experiences including beaches, water sports and special culinary, cultural and adventure options. Many of these excursion offerings will come from well-established local operators. Nearby Ocean World, one of the region's largest marine adventure parks, offers guests popular ways to experience and interact with a variety of marine animals.

We Are Pleased To Report, In Reversal Of Stance, Carnival Says It Will Pay US For Disabled Ships

Contributed by Curt Anderson

 Carnival Corp. said Monday it will repay the U.S. government an unspecified amount for the costs to taxpayers of responses to disabling accidents on its Triumph and Splendor cruise ships, both of which left thousands of passengers stranded at sea for days.

The world's largest cruise line company said the payments were being made voluntarily to the U.S. Treasury Department and that no government agency had requested reimbursement for either accident.

But Carnival had come under pressure from U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., who was highly critical last week of Carnival's indirect responses to his inquiries about its willingness to pay.

Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, estimated the Coast Guard's costs in dealing with the crippled Triumph earlier this year at nearly $780,000. The 2010 engine fire that left the Splendor adrift off of Mexico, he said, cost the Coast Guard and Navy about $3.4 million. The Navy work in that case included delivering food from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.

In both cases, passengers were left in uncomfortable and even squalid conditions before the ships made it back to port.

Carnival's statement did not say if it would pay those amounts or something else. But the company insisted that it never flatly rejected the idea of reimbursement.

"It should be clearly noted that at no point in time has Carnival stated that it would refuse to reimburse federal agencies if they sought remuneration," the company statement said.

Last week, in response to written questions from Rockefeller about repaying the costs, Carnival released letters responding to the senator stating that its policy in such situations is to "honor maritime tradition" requiring assistance to those in need at sea from all maritime interests. Carnival also said in those letters that it frequently participates in rescues at Coast Guard request and strongly defended its safety record.

Rockefeller had labeled that initial response as "shameful" and indicated then that he might hold hearings or propose legislation.

He didn't immediately return messages from The Associated Press seeking comment on Carnival's decision.

The 900-foot Triumph was disabled during a February cruise by an engine room fire in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving thousands of passengers to endure cold food, unsanitary conditions and power outages while the ship was towed to Mobile, Ala. It is still undergoing repairs there.

The 952-foot Splendor was also hobbled by an engine fire in January 2010, leaving its thousands of passengers to endure similar difficult conditions for three days in the Pacific Ocean while it was towed to San Diego. The Splendor is now back in service and cruises out of New York, according to Carnival's web site.

In both cases, Carnival gave passengers refunds, free cruise vouchers and other forms of reimbursement.

Carnival is also dealing with last year's grounding and capsizing of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy, which killed 32 people and spawned both criminal investigations and lawsuits. Costa is one of Carnival's six cruise brands.

Carnival Tells Rockefeller It Won't Pay U.S. For Rescues

Contributed by Dennis Schaal , Skift.com  

New letters from Carnival Corporation to Senator Jay Rockefeller indicate that the cruise line has no intent to reimburse the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy for assistance in the recent Carnival Triumph accident, the 2010 Carnival Splendor incidents, or any future problem where they require help from the U.S. government to aid a distressed vessel.

The senator from West Virginia penned a letter March 14 to Carnival CEO Micky Arison alleging that the U.S. Coast Guard responded to 90 “serious events” involving Carnival ships over five years, and that the Coast Guard and Navy had shelled out $4.2 million to cover the CarnivalTriumph and Carnival Splendor incidents. The senator asked whether Carnival, since it pays “little or nothing in federal taxes,” will reimburse the Coast Guard and Navy.

Without giving a specific “yes” or “no” answer to the question, James Hunn, Carnival’s senior vice president, corporate maritime policy, wrote: “Carnival’s policy is to honor maritime tradition that holds that the duty to render assistance at sea to those in need is a universal obligation of the entire maritime community.”

Read more about Carnival's letters to Rockefeller at Skift

For example, the Carnival Breeze diverted from its scheduled course on March 25 and helped the Coast Guard respond to two individuals requiring medical help in a small boat off the Florida coast, Hunn wrote.

Of the 90 incidents that Rockefeller cited in his letter to Arison, Hunn replied that only seven — including those involving the CarnivalSplendor, Costa Concordia, Carnival Triumph and four others — amounted to “serious maritime incidents,” as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations.

Hunn dodged the issue of how much Carnival pays in federal taxes, but replied that cruise industry ships that call at U.S. ports “pay hundreds of millions of dollars in annual fees and taxes to federal, state and local government agencies in the form of port head taxes, dock fees, wharfage and other fees.”

Carnival Corp. is the largest cruise company in the world.

In his letter, Hunn notes Carnival’s safety record, outlining remedial steps Carnival and the cruise industry took in the wake of the CarnivalSplendor, Costa Concordia, and Carnival Triumph incidents.

Arison wrote his own, shorter letter to Rockefeller in which the cruise and Miami Heat owner stood his ground.

Arison wrote to Rockefeller that his letter “seems to cover much of the same ground we discussed” at a meeting a year earlier. Arison indicated he thought the Senator had been satisfied with Carnival’s responses at that earlier meeting, although he characterized the meeting in the senator’s offices as involving a “frank discussion.”

“I assure you, as I did during our discussions, that we remain committed to the safety and comfort of our guests and we are proud of our ability to provide millions of people with safe, fun and memorable vacation experiences,” Arison wrote in a letter dated March 29.

Senator Rockefeller, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, wasn't pleased with Carnival's responses to his letter.

"Carnival's response to my detailed inquiry is shameful," Rockefeller told Skift. "It is indisputable that Carnival passengers deserve better emergency response measures than they experienced on the Triumph. I am considering all options to hold the industry to higher passenger safety standards.”

Read the letters in full here.