Carnival Cruise Lines to return to Europe with Vista

Carnival Corporation’s flagship line, Carnival Cruise Line, is to return to Europe in 2016 after the launch of Carnival Vista, its new ship, next year.

The vessel will begin European sailings on May 1, 2016, with 18 cruises before heading to New York in October.

The announcement comes after the line pulled its ships out of Europe for 2014 and 2015, complaining that increased airfares had meant its mostly US passenger base were incorporating too high a cost to get to Europe.

Carnival Vista will come with features including an iMax cinema, Carnival’s Red Frog Pub, and an expanded Havana Bar area.

It will also include SkyRide, a pedal-powered open air attraction where guests can cycle around an 800-foot suspended track that takes them 150-foot above the sea.

Carnival Vista will also have Kaleid-O-Slide, the largest water park of any ship within the Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. Rides will include a 455-foot slide that can taken by one or two riders.

The ship will be the second Carnival Cruise Line’s ship to feature Dr. Seuss Bookville.

Carnival Vista will also have a class of stateroom dedicated to families, called ‘Family Harbor’. The rooms will accommodate five people.

Its homeport is yet to be announced.