<font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Carnival Cruise Lines &ndash; which operates the only year-round cruise program from New Orleans &ndash; will increase capacity by 34 percent when the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph replaces the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy from the Big Easy in November 2009.<span></span></font></font> <p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In addition to providing an exciting new &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; cruise option from New Orleans, Carnival Triumph will introduce new seven-day eastern and exotic western Caribbean schedules to complement the line&rsquo;s popular four- and five-day cruises to Mexico.<span>&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The Carnival Triumph&rsquo;s seven-day cruises will depart on Saturdays, with exotic western Caribbean voyages visiting Belize City; Isla Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel; and eastern Caribbean cruises calling at Key West, Freeport and Nassau.<span>&nbsp; </span>Four-day cruises will depart Thursdays to Cozumel, while five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.<span>&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Carnival Triumph will operate 65 departures annually from New Orleans, carrying approximately 200,000 passengers &ndash; the most of any cruise line. Carnival Fantasy, which currently sails from New Orleans, will be deployed to Mobile, Ala., to operate four- and five-day cruises beginning in November 2009. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re very pleased to bring a newer, larger ship to New Orleans as well as expand our operations with new seven-day western Caribbean itineraries that will provide exciting new &lsquo;Fun Ship&rsquo; vacation options,&rdquo; said Terry Thornton, Carnival&rsquo;s senior vice president of marketing planning.<span>&nbsp; </span>&ldquo;In addition to serving as an excellent homeport for Carnival for nearly 15 years, New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind vacation destination and we&rsquo;re delighted to continue our relationship with this wonderful city,&rdquo; he added. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>&ldquo;The Port and the entire New Orleans tourism community is thrilled by Carnival&rsquo;s decision to homeport the Carnival Triumph here,&rdquo; said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange.<span>&nbsp; </span>&ldquo;This community has demonstrated its resilience and proven once again it is an international tourist destination.<span>&nbsp; </span>This business decision by a valued partner such as Carnival only reiterates the bright future of cruising in New Orleans.&rdquo;</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><strong>Four- to Seven-Day Cruises from New Orleans</strong></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Carnival Triumph will make its New Orleans debut with a special four-day cruise departing Tuesday, Nov. 10, then launch its new year-round four-, five- and seven-day schedule beginning with a weeklong voyage departing Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Four-day Carnival Triumph cruises departing Thursdays visit Cozumel, a 308-square-mile island offering world-class beaches, myriad watersports and a diversity of restaurants, shops and nightspots. Five-day cruises departing Mondays and Saturdays feature both Cozumel and Progreso, located along Mexico&rsquo;s Yucatan peninsula offering access to centuries-old ruins and archeological sites, including Chitzen Itza, recently named one of Seven Wonders of the World.<span>&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Seven-day exotic western Caribbean cruises departing Saturdays visit Belize, a tropical paradise where guests can visit Mayan ruins and enjoy myriad eco-tourism opportunities; and Isla Roatan, a breathtaking Honduran island distinguished by gorgeous white-sand beaches and lush countryside. A daylong visit to Cozumel rounds out this weeklong itinerary. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The eastern Caribbean route will feature Key West, the southernmost city in the U.S. known for its excellent shopping and watersports and perpetually laid back atmosphere.<span>&nbsp; </span>The itinerary also includes two popular Bahamian ports &ndash; Freeport, the island chain&rsquo;s second largest city offering stunning beaches and exciting golfing, shopping and dining opportunities; and Nassau, the bustling capital known for outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and historical landmarks. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><strong>A Truly Magnificent &lsquo;Fun Ship&rsquo;</strong> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph offers a host of resort-style facilities and features: a 14,500-square-foot spa, a jogging track, ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service, a duty-free shopping mall, and three restaurants, including twin two-level main dining rooms with extensive menus and wine lists and a 1,200-seat casual eatery with full breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and a 24-hour pizzeria.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Also featured are 18 themed lounges and bars &ndash; including a wine bar, sports bar, piano bar and a multi-level theatre showcasing lavish revues &ndash; all with dramatic interiors inspired by the world&rsquo;s most famous bodies of water. A golf program offering professional instruction and opportunities to play top Caribbean courses is available, as well. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Family friendly amenities include programming for children in three age groups &ndash; &ldquo;Camp Carnival&rdquo; for youngsters, &ldquo;Circle C&rdquo; for 12- to 14-year olds, and &ldquo;Club O2&rdquo; for older teens &ndash; with activities and facilities dedicated to each.<span>&nbsp; </span>Additionally, Carnival Triumph offers a variety of accommodations, including a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites.<span>&nbsp; </span>All staterooms feature the exclusive Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.</span></span></p>