The 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph arrived in New Orleans today – a day later than anticipated due to Tropical Storm Ida.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ ship represents a 34 percent increase in capacity, as it replaces the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy – which will now sail from Mobile, Ala.

“Carnival Cruise Lines’ commitment to New Orleans underscores the City’s attractiveness as a top destination for cruise passengers,” said Gary LaGrange, President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans. “Cruising from the Crescent City is literally two vacations in one. Passengers typically stay a few days before or after their cruise to take in the sights, sounds and cuisine of New Orleans. Carnival’s new itinerary to the eastern Caribbean and Bahamas gives the Port exciting new options to market to an already robust base of potential cruise passengers.”

Mike Julius, Carnival’s vice president – central region, said the world’s largest cruise operator has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Port and the City.

“We’re very pleased to launch year-round service from New Orleans – albeit a day later than scheduled – aboard the Carnival Triumph, which will be the Port’s largest year-round cruise ship,” Julius said. “Carnival has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Port of New Orleans for the past 15 years and during this time our passenger counts have increased significantly. New Orleans is an excellent departure point for ‘Fun Ship’ cruising – as well as an exciting tourist destination itself. We look forward to providing guests with a wonderful cruise experience aboard the Carnival Triumph.”

Carnival Triumph will depart on its inaugural three-day cruise from New Orleans on Wednesday, Nov. 11, then launch a year-round schedule of four-, five- and seven-day Caribbean departures Saturday, Nov. 14.

On its New Orleans-based program, four-day cruises depart on Thursdays and call at Cozumel, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Progreso and Cozumel. Seven-day cruises depart on Saturdays, with exotic western Caribbean itineraries visiting Belize City, Isla Roatan (Honduras), and Cozumel. Eastern Caribbean cruises call on Key West, Freeport and Nassau.

The Carnival Triumph offers a truly unique vacation experience, with a host of “resort-style” amenities and an exciting array of stunning public rooms and facilities, each with a character all its own.

In addition to a diversity of “themed” bars, lounges and nightspots, Carnival Triumph features myriad full-service and casual dining choices, an on-board health and fitness facility, complimentary children’s programs in three different age groups, and a comprehensive golf program offering golf excursions and personalized lessons. Cell phone service and ship-wide Wi-Fi access is also available. Of its 1,379 staterooms, 60 percent offer either an ocean view or balcony.