Carnival Cruise Line Launches Airship

Carnival Cruise Line, on August 29, launched the Carnival AirShip: an over 120-foot-long red, white and blue blimp to support the cruise company’s Homeport Advantage campaign. This program is designed to raise awareness of new ships homeporting in markets along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

The AirShip was introduced at Carnival’s Sixth Annual Day of Play at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. This is the blimp’s first destination. It is making a 30-day airborne journey across seven U.S. states. After Memphis, the AirShip will go to DallasHoustonGalveston, New Orleans, Mobile, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville and Charleston. The journey ends in Atlanta.

During the campaign, travelers will get the chance to win free cruises, VIP event passes and gift cards when they take a picture or video of the AirShip and post it on social media with the hashtag #ChooseFun. Those who use the metadata tag will also trigger a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

During the trip, the Carnival AirShip will stop in Miami on September 20 to welcome the new Carnival Horizon to its yearly homeport. Programs on the ship will include events hosted by NBA Hall of Famer and Carnival Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal with Miami Heat players.

Four ships will go to their new homeports in September. These include:

  • Carnival Horizon (Miami): Carnival’s newest ship that made its U.S. debut in New York in May will launch year-round home six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning Sept. 22 following a two-day cruise to Nassau Sept. 20.
  • Carnival Vista (Galveston): Carnival Vista starts its new year-round sailing seven-day Caribbean schedule from Galveston Sept. 23.
  • Carnival Breeze (Port Canaveral): Carnival Breeze will go from Port Canaveral with seven-day and 14-day itineraries starting Sept. 30.
  • Carnival Magic (Miami): Carnival Magic begins new schedule of week-long Caribbean cruises Sept. 30. 

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