Carnival Breeze offers guests over 180 shore excursions for inaugural European season

Carnival Breeze cruises in Europe until November 6, 2012

June 3, 2012 marked the beginning of an exciting Mediterranean cruise season for Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Breeze. To keep the momentum going strong, Carnival Cruise Line has designed dozens of new shore excursions to match the excitement of sailing on this innovative ship.

While traditional shore excursions are offered at all of the countries visited on the twelve-day  inaugural season cruises to Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, France, Spain and Monte Carlo, Carnival Cruise Lines created “Select Experiences” shore excursions for those who seek a more personalized, unique and active day ashore.

In total, guests can choose from over 180 land tour options, aimed to provide Carnival Breeze guests with an enormous selection of memorable shore tours, with something for everyone. Whether they appreciate a tour of ancient ruins and castles, day-long trips into the scenic, rolling countryside or have a penchant for cuisine and wine, Carnival aims to create the perfect experience.

For guests seeking a more active day ashore, they can kayak along the coastlines of historic, medieval cities, bicycle through the countryside and even trek to explore dormant volcanoes.

Exciting new “Select Experiences’ for shore excursions in Europe

Take a look at what Carnival Breeze guests can choose from in Europe this year.

Three Island Yacht Cruise (Dubrovnik, Croatia)

A live-hour excursion, guests can explore the stunning Elaphati Islands – Lokrum, Kolocep, and Lopud – while sipping chilled wine aboard a luxury yacht. The islands have a rich history – legend has it that Richard the Lion Heart was cast ashore here in 1192 after surviving a shipwreck while returning from the Crusades. The day begins with a visit to Lokrum Island, where guests can tour a 12^th century monastery built by Benedictine monks, while Kolocep, the smallest of the Elaphiti islands, is distinguished by 15^th century mansions, vineyards and olive groves. Concluding the tour is a stop at Lopud where guests can swim, stroll along the promenade, or savor local Croatian delicacies.

Essence of Tuscany (Livorno, Italy) –  Guests can create their own “Under the Tuscan Sun” experience visiting the magnificent town of San Gimignano, the stunning backdrop for the popular book and movie about the fabled city which is distinguished by the “Manhattan of Tuscany,” a skyline dotted with towers dating back to the 11^th to 13^th  centuries. After enjoying a traditional Italian meal in a nearby farmhouse, guests explore Siena, amazingly rich in masterpieces of art and nestled atop three hills with ancient structures such as the Torre del Mangia bell tower rising more than 300 feet high and Duomo of Siena and the Battistero, both adorned with a variety of frescoes, sculptures and painting masterpieces created by some of the country’s most famous artists.

Mt. Etna at 2,900 Feet (Messina, Italy) – On this seven-and-a-half-hour excursion, guests are taken to Europe’s largest active volcano where they can tour Mt. Etna’s famous Silvestri Crater located 2,000 feet above sea level. From there, guests board a six-person cable car for the journey down into the crater before embarking on a 4 x 4 Mercedes ride to reach the ultimate peak at an awe-inspiring 2,900 feet above sea level. Following an exhilarating off-road adventure, guests are taken on a guided tour where they are provided a detailed overview of Mt. Etna’s history followed by a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Secrets of Naples (Naples, Italy) – During this five-hour journey,  guests can stroll along the narrow streets of the Spacca-Napoli quarter, full of life with boutiques specializing in antiques and books, tiny grocery stores and fruit stands. The day continues with a visit to San Domenico Square and its namesake church, and an exploration of the underground caves of Naples, home to the ancient Roman Aqueducts. No visit to Naples is complete without a sampling of the city’s famous pizza and guests will learn how to prepare the delicious pies using traditional wood-burning ovens.

Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s & Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy) — The amazing Vatican Gardens and the beauty of Rome are on full display during this private 10-hour tour, which also includes a typical Italian lunch. After arriving in breathtaking St. Peter’s Square, guests enter Vatican City through the gate of St. Uffizio Square where they enjoy panoramic views of its magnificent gardens and enchanting fountains before touring St. Peter’s Basilica. The day concludes with a tour of Roman highlights such as the Spanish Steps, Navona Square, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.

Starting on June 15, the Carnival Breeze will relocate to Barcelona, sailing twelve-day Mediterranean cruises through October 25. At the conclusion of the summer season in the Med, the Carnival Breeze will cross the Atlantic to arrive in her new homeport in Miami. Then, beginning November 24, the Carnival Breeze will offer guests six and eight day Caribbean cruises and will be the largest Carnival ship based in South Florida.

The 12-day Mediterranean cruises include the ports of Marseilles or Monaco; Livorno; Naples or Salerno, Italy; Dubrovnik; Venice; Civitavecchia (Rome), and Messina (the June 15 and Sept. 7 departures add a stop in Palma de Mallorca, Spain; while the Aug. 14 and 26 voyages also visit Olbia, Italy). Select voyages also overnight in Venice or Civitavecchia (Rome). On August 26, 2012, the Carnival Breeze will offer a one-time departure from Venice.