Carnival Talks Up Fantasy Benefits

CHARLESTON – Carnival Cruise Lines rolled out a red carpet today for business and political leaders who support the cruise line and its continued docking of the Fantasy at the Port of Charleston.

Members of the Cruise Business Council dined on a four-course lunch aboard the Fantasy while Carnival and Ports Authority officials talked up the link between cruise passengers and the local economy.

Carnival unveiled a coupon book meant to drive ship passengers into local shops, hotels and restaurants.  The Port rolled out its survey of passengers meant to show how much business they contribute to the local economy.

“We want to demonstrate how much we value this partnership,” said Jennifer de la Cruz, Carnival’s senior vice president of public relations. “This is a really important group to Carnival. These are local business and tourism leaders who are supportive of our industry. In any community, we want to thank our base of support.”

Carnival and the Port of Charleston face a lawsuit from plaintiffs who oppose a plan to build a $35-million passenger cruise terminal in the Charleston Historic District. On Wednesday, Carnival footed the bill for the lunch and then offered a tour of the 20-year-old Fantasy.

The Port’s survey, which sampled 1,800 passengers, contends 50 percent of cruise passengers dined in more than 115 restaurants before and after sailing on the Fantasy. Forty percent of passengers said they visited local attractions while in town. And 98 percent said they would come back to Charleston.

“Sailing on the Fantasy is a great introduction to Charleston,” said Byron Miller, port spokesman. “This type of tourism translates to real jobs and real money for our economy. … We want and need these ships.”