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Vaal, undergoes $30 million refurbishment, begins service for Carnival as the largest and fastest vessel sailing from Miami to the Caribbeanġ982 – Debut of the Tropicale, the first new cruise ship the cruise industry has seen in many years ship marks the beginning of an industry-wide multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding boomġ984 – Carnival becomes first cruise line to advertise on network T.V.
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Carnival was launched with a converted transatlantic ocean liner and a dream of entrepreneur Ted Arison, a pioneer in the modern-day cruise industry who set out to realize his vision of making a vacation experience once reserved for the very rich accessible to the average person.ġ972 – Maiden voyage of Carnival’s first ship, the TSS Mardi Gras, which runs aground on sandbar outside the Port of Miamiġ975 – Carnival purchases Empress of Britain, enters service as the TSS Carnivaleġ978 – The Festivale, formerly the S.A.
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Carnival Cruise Line is the most successful cruise line in the world, carrying more passengers than any other.īut the Carnival of today is a vastly different company than the one started from humble beginnings more than four decades ago.
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