Carnival invites Australians to the party
Carnival Cruise Lines expects to emulate the company’s success in the United States by attracting first-time cruisers when Carnival Spirit begins a year-round deployment in Australia in 2012.
In the US, Carnival is the No 1 brand for first time cruisers, says Jennifer Vandekreeke, newly appointed director, Carnival Australia.
Vandekreeke said Carnival worked hard to break down the barriers and misconceptions about cruising among rookie cruisers.
“People want to know whether they will have enough to do, whether they will be bored, or feel confined. We take the trouble to explain the many different spaces on board and the facilities on our ships, such as mini-golf, water slides and kids’ club. It’s impossible to get bored.â€
This will be the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise line, has permanently deployed a ship outside the United States.
Carrying 2,667 passengers and weighing in at 88,500 tons, Carnival Spirit will be the largest ever to sail year-round in Australia.
The ship will arrive in Sydney in October 2012 to sail a schedule of eight- to 12-day Pacific Island voyages and 13-day New Zealand sailings.
“We aren’t looking to claim a specific market share in Australia, our goal is to grow the entire pie.
“We are planning on booking 100,000 guests on Carnival Spirit’s Australian itineraries by March of 2013 and the vast majority will be sourced from Australia and New Zealand,†Vandekreeke said.
Most recently Carnival Cruise Lines’ director of advertising, based in Miami, Vandekreeke said Australia and the Carnival ethos had much in common.
“Australians are lively, social, gregarious and have great respect for quality. We’re a perfect fit.â€
Carnival Cruise Lines currently has two 130,000-tonne ships on order – Carnival Magic, set to debut in Europe on May 1, and Carnival Breeze, scheduled to enter service in (northern) spring 2012.
By Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
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