<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Carnival Cruise  Lines officially launched its new, year-round cruise schedule from  the historic city of Charleston today. Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and  seven-day voyages to The Bahamas and Key West, Fla. from the Passenger  Terminal in historic downtown Charleston.&nbsp; In 2011, Carnival will also  offer a series of Bermuda cruises from Charleston on the Carnival  Fantasy.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;"><span></span>The Carnival Fantasy sailed into the city&rsquo;s port early  in the morning, accompanied by a fleet of local maritime industry  vessels.&nbsp; The Spirit of South Carolina, Charleston Water Taxis, Moran  Tug Company, SpiritLine Cruises and the Charleston Harbor Pilots all  joined in welcoming Carnival  Cruise Lines to the port and celebrating the city&rsquo;s unique maritime  history.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Carnival&rsquo;s Senior Cruise Director John  Heald emceed the luncheon event, with City of Charleston Mayor Joseph P.  Riley, South Carolina State Ports Authority President and CEO Jim  Newsome, and Carnival Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer  Jim Berra on hand. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">&ldquo;Charleston is a beautiful, historic  city within easy reach of millions of U.S. residents who will now have  convenient access to Carnival&rsquo;s fantastic and affordable cruise vacation  options year-round,&rdquo; said Jim Berra. &ldquo;The events today were a  celebration of the fun and excitement that both Carnival and the City of  Charleston will provide to our guests.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">In the spirit of Carnival&rsquo;s &ldquo;Fun For  All. All For Fun&rdquo; mantra, several Charleston area leaders and Carnival  team members participated in competitive races down the 82-foot-long  dual racing water slides. &nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">&ldquo;Carnival Fantasy&rsquo;s year-round service  is a welcome addition to the Port of Charleston and fits well within the  context of the internationally acclaimed Charleston tourism market,&rdquo;  Jim Newsome said. &ldquo;Cruise business benefits Charleston because it  provides a positive economic impact in the form of jobs, investment and  visitor spending. We look forward to continuing our successful,  long-standing relationship with Carnival.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">&ldquo;Carnival&rsquo;s year-round service provides  an important opportunity not only to enhance our local economy but also  to introduce new visitors to our historic city,&rdquo; said Mayor Riley. &nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy features a host of on-board  amenities and facilities including a 12,000-square-foot health spa,  extensive children&rsquo;s facilities for kids in three age groups, a variety  of formal and casual dining options and 12 lounges and bars.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Also featured is Carnival WaterWorks, an  expansive, all-ages aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide,  82-foot-long dual racing slides and a splash zone.&nbsp; Carnival Fantasy also offers Serenity, an exclusive  adults-only retreat, and a resort-style main pool area.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Carnival Fantasy will sail this afternoon on a  five-day voyage from Charleston to Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas.&nbsp; <br /></span></p>