Carnival Cruise Lines will launch ayear-round program of eight-day cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from NewYork beginning in April 2012 – the line’s first year-round sailings from thatport, the company said in a statement.

On this schedule, Carnival Miracle willoffer three uniquely different eight-day itineraries that visit a diversity ofbeautiful islands throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas. The itinerariesinclude:

Eastern Caribbean departures to San Juan,St. Thomas and Grand Turk, offered on a rotating basis April through October.

Bahamas sailings featuring stops at theprivate Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau, offered on arotating basis April through October

Bahamas/Florida cruises with port calls toPort Canaveral (Orlando), Nassau and Freeport, offered November through April

While these Caribbean itineraries areuniquely different, each offers beautiful white-sand beaches, excellentshopping and dining experiences, world-famous landmarks, historical sites andattractions, and myriad sightseeing and shore excursion opportunities,including snorkeling, scuba-diving, and water sports.

These cruises also offer the convenienceand affordability of sailing from New York on a year-round basis. Residentsthroughout the Northeast can simply board the Carnival Miracle in New York andstart their vacation right away.  Thisprogram also represents a tremendous savings in airfare cost for theseconsumers who avoid the inconvenience often associated with air traveltoday. 

In addition to extended visits to sunny,tropical islands, guests on these voyages can experience Carnival Miracle’swide variety of on-board amenities and facilities -- delicious dining choices,captivating entertainment, extensive spa and children’s facilities, andfun-filled top-deck amenities, including the line’s signature TwisterWaterslide.

According to Carnival President and CEOGerry Cahill, Carnival has offered seasonal voyages from New York for more thana decade but the convenience of sailing from the Big Apple on a year-roundbasis, combined with its unique appeal as a pre- and post-cruise destination,strongly influenced the decision for the new year-round program.

“New York is one of the highest-ratedhomeports for ‘Fun Ship’ cruising. Carnival Miracle’s new year-round eight-daydepartures offer consumers the best of both worlds -- a choice of threeattractive year-round Caribbean and Bahamas itinerary options with theopportunity to depart from one of the world’s great cities,” he said.