Festivale

[steandbee]

I sailed on Carnival Festivale in 1993. Anyone remember that one? Its a pile of steel in India now. I heard it was one of Carnivals First ships. Going on Valor 5/21. This should be quite a change from a converted freighter.

[LisaP]

Yes, sadly the former Festivale was scrapped in 2004, making her the first Carnival ship to meet this fate. Prior to joining the Carnival fleet in 1977, she was built as Transvaal Castle. In 1996, she was sold to Dolphin (my all-time favorite line) and named IslandBreeze. She eventually became Premier Cruises' Big Red Boat III. We nearly booked a cruise on her when she homeported in NYC for awhile -- I forget why we never did.

As beautiful as she was, I am sure you will find your upcoming cruise much different.

[Cruise Fanatic]

My very first cruise was on the Festivale in October 1981. I sailed on her again in October
1991. I could have died when Premier named her Big Red Boat III. You don't call classic ships "boats"!! I cringe everytime I am on a ship and hear someone call it a "boat"! Just my little pet peeve. I think that was part of Premier's demise though, when they went and named on the ships Big Red Boats-bad marketing move. Cruising has come a long way since 1981. I'm not sure all the change is for the good. The Festivale was a large ship back then. I miss the good old ships sometimes.

[tamaralea]

The Festivale was my first cruise in the mid 80's (think "Love Boat"). My husband and I had an upper/lower inside cabin on the lowest deck of the ship. I remember the small bathroom. You couldn't even stand in it and have room to stretch your arms out. The shower had to be no more than 30 square inches. We're going on our second cruise next week (Victory) and look forward to seeing the changes. We even got a window and can push the two twin beds together.