<p>Carnival Cruise Lines was named the &ldquo;top contemporary cruise line&rdquo; at the recent WAVE (Western Agents Votes of Excellence) Awards presented by TravelAge West Magazine.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>The annual awards, which recognize travel companies in a wide range of product- and service-related categories, are based on feedback from TravelAge West readers, which include travel agents from 14 western U.S. states, as well as information gleaned from the publication&rsquo;s editors.</p><p>Carnival &ndash; the West Coast&rsquo;s number one cruise line with four ships based within the region on a year-round or seasonal basis &ndash; was recognized for providing guests with memorable, high quality vacations at affordable prices.&nbsp; Its &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet offers guests a variety of on-board facilities and features &ndash; a diversity of full-service and casual dining options, expansive spa and children&rsquo;s facilities, spacious accommodations, and fun-filled activities for guests of all ages.&nbsp; </p><p>Pictured here at the WAVE awards ceremony held earlier this week in Beverly Hills, Calif., are (from left):&nbsp; Carnival&rsquo;s Vice President of Sales &ndash; Western Region Vicki Tomasino; TravelAge West Editor Michele Rosenberg; and Carnival&rsquo;s Senior Vice President of Sales and Guest Services Lynn C. Torrent, and Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships Edie Bornstein.</p><p>Carnival&rsquo;s West Coast-based ships include the Carnival Pride and Carnival Paradise based in Long Beach, Calif., and Carnival Elation and Carnival Spirit in San Diego.&nbsp; In March 2009, Carnival will continue is West Coast expansion when the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor &ndash; the largest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; to date &ndash; replaces the Carnival Pride on year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach. </p><p>These four ships are part of the line&rsquo;s 22-vessel fleet which operates three- to 18-day voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Europe and other popular destinations.</p>