<p>Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; Carnival Triumph arrived in New Orleans on Nov. 11, a day later than anticipated due to Tropical Storm Ida. The 2,758-passenger ship represents a 34 percent increase in capacity, as it replaces the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy, which will now sail from Mobile, Ala. Mike Julius, Carnival&rsquo;s vice president-central region, said the world&rsquo;s largest cruise operator has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the port and the city. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re very pleased to launch year-round service from New Orleans -- albeit a day later than scheduled -- aboard the Carnival Triumph, which will be the port&rsquo;s largest year-round cruise ship,&rdquo; Julius said. &ldquo;Carnival has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Port of New Orleans for the past 15 years and during this time our passenger counts have increased significantly.&rdquo;</p>
<p><br />Carnival Triumph departed on its inaugural three-day cruise from New Orleans on Nov. 11, and will launch a year-round schedule of four-, five- and seven-day Caribbean departures Nov. 14. The four-day cruises depart on Thursdays and call at Cozumel, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Progreso and Cozumel. Seven-day cruises depart on Saturdays, with exotic Western Caribbean itineraries to Belize City, Isla Roatan (Honduras), and Cozumel. Eastern Caribbean cruises call on Key West, Freeport and Nassau.</p>