Carnival Cruise Lines is to dramatically expand its service to Bermuda next year.

The cruise line currently offers one trip to the Island out of New York.

It was announced today that 16 voyages would be made to Bermuda in 2011.

Ships will leave from four ports on the US East Coast — Baltimore, Norfolk, Virginia, New York and, for the first time ever, Charleston, South Carolina. The ships will berth at King’s Wharf, Dockyard, while here.

The 16 Bermuda voyages are the most the line has ever offered. The closest was in 2003, when 11 trips were made to the Island.

On offer next year are a variety of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises from April through November.

Said Carnival president and CEO Gerry Cahill: Bermuda is one of the world's most desirable cruise destinations, and offering three different cruise lengths from four East Coast home ports provides our guests an unprecedented variety of choices for visiting this beautiful island paradise.