Carnival increasing cruise capacity in New Orleans, Carnival Triumph joins Carnival Dream

NEW ORLEANS – Carnival Cruise Lines said Monday it is increasing its cruise capacity in New Orleans by replacing the smaller Carnival Elation ship with the Carnival Triumph.

Carnival Triumph will shift from Galveston to New Orleans to launch year-round four- and five-day cruises to Mexico beginning April 4, 2016. On this route, four-day "long weekend" cruises depart Thursdays and call at Cozumel while five-day cruises depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Cozumel and Progreso.

The Carnival Triumph will join Carnival Dream which operates year-round seven-day cruises from New Orleans. Together these two ships are expected to carry 450,000 guests annually from New Orleans.

"New Orleans is one of our fastest-growing cruise markets and deploying Carnival Triumph not only expands capacity on this highly attractive short cruise program but also provides our guests with a variety of on-board innovations and our valued travel agents with an exciting new choice to market to their clients," said Christine Duffy, Carnival's president.

In February 2013, the Triumph lost power in an engine-room fire and the 4,200 passengers spent five days endured overflowing toilets, food shortages and foul odors before the ship could be towed to Mobile, Alabama. The ship was repaired and returned to service in June.