bermuda.JPGIn what may be a sign that cruise lines are already anticipating difficulty filling Europe cruises next year, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that Carnival Freedom won’t be returning to the region as scheduled.  Instead, the ship will sail on year-round Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale.

Effective Nov. 22, 2008, Freedom will sail on six- and eight-day itineraries.  The eight-day eastern Caribbean voyage visits San Juan; St. Thomas; Antigua; Tortola and Nassau.  Six-day Western Caribbean sailings visit Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios.