Carnival plans to expand its New York operation a bit in 2009 with a new Caribbean itinerary that includes a stop in the Turks & Caicos.
The eight-night voyages, on the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle, will include stops in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private island of Half Moon Cay; and Nassau in the Bahamas.
Carnival has offered eight-night cruises from New York to the eastern Caribbean since 2003, first on the Carnival Legend and then on the Miracle. Until now the trips have stuck to the ports of San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Carnival says the Miracle will follow the new itinerary about once a month between May and September of 2009. The rest of the time it will continue to offer the ship's traditional itinerary.
What's behind the new routing? In a statement accompanying the announcement, Carnival said the Turks -- a relatively new port for the major lines -- has quickly become a popular destination with its customers.
Another reason the line may be eager to switch to the new itinerary is that it will require less fuel than the Miracle's existing route. Oil prices have been soaring in recent months, forcing Carnival and other lines to pay millions of dollars more in fuel costs.
