Cruise, Carnival | featured news

Carnival Corp. on Wednesday announced it will implement a $700 million-plan to upgrade its fleet and avoid incidents like the the disabling of the Carnival Triumph. The Carnival Cruise Lines overhaul --which is expected to cost $300 million--will include significant enhancements to emergency power capabilities, new fire safety technology and improved operating procedures, the company said in a release. The parent company, Carnival Corp, also will be making improvements to other ships in its line, including Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and Cunard. Overall enhancements company-wide could be as much as $700 million, said the company.

Carnival Corp. (CCL) is offering a Caribbean cruise for as little as $38 a night, less than a stay at Motel 6, after an engine fire on the Triumph stranded passengers at sea for several days. A four-night trip on Carnival’s Imagination, leaving Miami on April 22, costs $149 a person, including meals and some beverages, according to the cruise company’s website yesterday. The lowest nightly rate at the budget-priced Motel 6 chain was $39.99, according to an online ad.

Carnival, the world's largest cruise operator, has rejected a request from a powerful U.S. senator that it reimburse the U.S. government for the costs it incurs for rescuing the company's ships when they become disabled.