Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Splendor Livery Updates

Carnival Splendor has just completed her dry dock in Singapore, and Carnival Cruise Line is excited to unveil a sneak peek of her stunning new livery. The ship now features the red, white, and blue hull design introduced by Carnival in 2021. In addition, both sides of the ship also feature a distinctive Southern Cross design —a signature marking from the P&O Cruises Australia ships that will soon be joining the Carnival fleet.

Carnival Cruise Line rescues group left stranded in Vanuatu

Carnival Cruise Line has come to the aid of a group left stranded in Vanuatu, following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The group, consisting of eight Australians and one New Zealander, were visiting the island of Santo when Air Vanuatu cancelled all flights, leaving them without a way home.

Kids Sail Free in Carnival’s Family Friendly Summer Sale

Proving why it’s the world’s leading family cruise line, Carnival Cruise Line has announced that kids will sail for free as part of its family friendly summer sale.

On sale until December 9, 2016, the third and fourth guests in a room will cruise for free on select sailings from Sydney in 2017.

Fares start from $549* for a three-night Weekend Sampler cruise on Carnival Spirit departing Sydney on February 24, 2017, adding up to just $1098 for a family of four – a saving of more than $1000.

South Pacific cruises are also available with an eight-night cruise to New Caledonia on Carnival Spirit departing Sydney on May 9, 2017, priced from $999* per person for the first two guests, with the total for a family of four adding up to just $1998 – a saving of almost $2000.

Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke said the cruise line carried more families than any other cruise line and was proud to put the fun into family cruising.

“Australian families have embraced our fun and free-spirited holidays at sea and we're thrilled to be able to offer even more families the opportunity to experience a Carnival cruise with the Kids Sail Free offer,” Ms Vandekreeke said.

Carnival’s locally-based ships Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend offer an array of family highlights including:

Carnival WaterWorks™ on the top deck, including the jaw-dropping Green Thunder waterslide – the steepest and fastest water slide at sea – and Carnival’s Twister Waterslide™

A fun new line up of family-friendly entertainment including Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea, 80s Rock’n’ Glow theme nights and life-sized Hasbro, The Game Show classics including Trivial Pursuit and Cluedo

A variety of family-friendly destinations from longer Pacific Island holidays to short escapes close to home including Tasmania and Moreton Island, as well as cruises to New Zealand, Singapore and Hawaii

Scores of interconnecting rooms and quad-share rooms with flexible configurations that include the option of a king bed for Mum and Dad, with two singles for the kids

Free supervised youth programs for children aged between two and 17, as well as a late-night program of activities. Unlike many other cruise lines, all of Carnival’s youth programs are available on port days

Seuss at Sea™ including a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends; a special selection of classic Dr. Seuss books, toys and themed activities; showings of beloved movies such as “The Cat in the Hat” and the Seuss-a-Palooza Parade™ of characters

Family-friendly comedy shows and early broadway-style Playlist Production performances in the main show lounge, featuring the likes of Epic Rock and 88 Keys

Free 24/7 pizza and ice cream

A miniature putt putt golf course and multi-purpose sports courts, plus table tennis

Early dining for young families in the main restaurant and supervised kid’s only dinners in the International Food Plaza

For more information visit www.carnival.com.au

*subject to availability, conditions apply

A Legendary Experience: Carnival Legend to Arrive in Sydney

Carnival Spirit's sister ship, Carnival Legend, is arriving in Sydney next year from the East Coast of America. The ship has been custom-built to create history-making holidays, and pays tribute to some of the world's greatest legends throughout the ages. Guest can take a dip in the Camelot and Avalon pools, wish for magic at Club Merlin Casino, and taste iconic flavours at Truffles Restaurant. Music lovers can head for Satchmo's Lounge and Billie's Piano Bar, then dance the night away at Medusa's Lair Dance Club.

Carnival Legend will offer multiple ports of call (Los Angeles and Tampa), diverse cultures, exciting cities and activities on one cruise. Onboard features include a wide range of bars, dining choices and a variety of fun outdoor activities including the iconic Water Park and Green Thunder Waterslide, as well as indoor and relaxation options and exciting entertainment. 

 

Carnival Legend will sail from the East Coast of America mid-August 2014 arriving in Sydney on 22 September 2014. Itineraries on offer: 

·         13-day cruise from Tampa to Los Angeles sailing through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Mexico departing on 17 August 2014 with prices from $1925 per person, twin share.

·         23-day cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney sailing through Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea departing on 30 August 2014 with prices starting from $2,795 per person, twin share.

 

Travel the World is also offering Carnival Legend guests the opportunity to combine the two itineraries for a legendary 36-day cruise experience sailing from Tampa to Sydney through Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea. By booking through Travel the World, clients can access competitive airfares; from Australia to Los Angeles from $1,450, or Australia to Tampa from $1,610

 

For further information on bookings, please contact Travel the World on 1300 950 622 or www.traveltheworld.com.au. (Australian Dollar fares include taxes and gratuities).

 

Carnival names newbuild Carnival Vista

Dream-class cruise ship, Carnival Magic (Carnival)

Carnival Cruise Lines has announced its next Dream-class ship will be named the Carnival Vista, debuting in 2016 at 135,000 tons and being built at Fincantieri.

Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill made the announcement on July 21 on board the Carnival Sunshine in Europe.

The Carnival Dream and her sisters, Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze, measure 130,000 gross tons (GT) and are the largest ships ever built for Carnival and for Fincantieri. The vessel's design is an evolution from the Conquest class cruise ships. The fourth ship in this class will be Costa Diadema for Carnival brand, Costa Cruises, due for launch in 2014.


The Vista will carry 4,000 passengers and will be the 25th vessel in the Carnival fleet.

Micky Arison leaving Carnival

Carnival Corporation has announced its plan to split the roles of chairman and chief executive officer.

Present incumbent Micky Arison will continue to serve as chairman of the company, while Arnold Donald, a highly experienced and respected business leader, who has served on the company’s board for the past 12 years, will assume the chief executive role from July 3rd.

Arison became chief executive in 1979.

At that time the company was privately held and operated three cruise ships under one brand, generating $44 million in revenues and carrying approximately 160,000 passengers a year.

By 1987, Carnival Cruise Lines had become the world’s largest cruise operator and Arison took the company public.

Working in partnership with current vice chairman and chief operating officer Howard Frank, Arison led the company through an aggressive expansion that included the acquisition of several iconic cruise brands, including Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard and Seabourn.

In 2003, a merger between Carnival Corporation and P&O Princess Cruises plc – comprised of Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK), P&O Cruises (Australia), and German cruise brand AIDA – was completed, creating the first global cruise operator and one of the largest leisure travel companies in the world.

In addition, the company undertook an ambitious schedule of new ship introductions. Under Arison’s leadership, Carnival Corporation & plc has grown to more than 100 ships, carrying ten million passengers a year and generating more than $15 billion in annual revenues.

In his role as chairman, Arison will continue to provide board level oversight for the company and will remain the company’s largest shareholder.

Donald will lead the executive team, initially focusing on achieving the company’s long-term strategic goals while working directly with the operating brand executives.

Frank will continue to serve in his current role as vice chairman and chief operating officer of the company, supporting Donald in working with the corporate level executive team.

The move has received unanimous approval from the company’s nominating and governance committee as well as the full board of directors.

“I have been discussing this with the board for some time now and feel the timing is right to align our company with corporate governance best practices and turn over the reins after 34 years as chief executive,” said Arison.

“Arnold is an exceptional professional with extensive experience in organizational leadership who will bring a fresh perspective to the company.

“I have come to value and rely on his judgment and insight during the 12 years he has served on the company’s board and I am very confident in his ability to move the organization forward,” Arison added.

“As chairman, I will still be working closely with Arnold to ensure a great future for all our stakeholders.”

Seven metre giant red nose sails into Sydney

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES SHOWS SUPPORT FOR AUSTRALIA'S 26th ANNUAL RED NOSE DAY

Carnival Spirit, the newest and largest ship to be home ported in Australia, sailed into Sydney this morning proudly sporting the largest-ever red nose on a cruise ship, to mark today's 26th annual Red Nose Day.

Spanning seven meters in diameter and illuminated from within, the giant red nose celebrates Carnival Cruise Lines' partnership with national charity SIDS and Kids, as they encourage all Aussies to get silly for a serious cause today and don their own red noses.

SIDS and Kids is dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and to supporting bereaved families. Red Nose Day is the charity's major fundraising event held annually on the last Friday of June, raising money for vital research, as well as education and bereavement support services for Australian families.

Over the last 26 years SIDS and Kids has helped save thousands of babies' lives through education and community awareness programs, and has contributed $16 million to research.

Jennifer Vandekreeke, Director Carnival Cruise Lines Australia and New Zealand is thrilled to mark Carnival Cruise Lines' ongoing partnership with SIDS and Kids on Red Nose Day: "By supporting SIDS and Kids we hope to give back to Australian families. In addition to Carnival Spirit getting into the Red Nose Day spirit with her own red nose, we are giving away a cruise for two onboard Carnival Spirit for the person who has the most fun creating an image on rednoseme.com."

Guests and crew sailing on Carnival Spirit will show their support for SIDS and Kids by participating in kids colouring in competitions, Red Nose find-a-word games, Red Nose desserts served onboard by the Captain, and fundraising walks around Spirit's outer decks.

Carnival Spirit guests, crew and passers-by will enjoy the carnival atmosphere at the Overseas Passenger Terminal today with Red Nose Day celebrations including clowns, face painters, a fire eater, unicyclist and more.

"Since Carnival Spirit made her debut in this market just eight months ago, she has proved a huge hit with Aussie families. Therefore it's only fitting that we support this great Australian charity. The mantra of Red Nose Day - 'get silly for a serious cause' - resonates strongly with Carnival Cruise Lines because we are serious about providing playful (and sometimes even silly) experiences for our guests" said Ms Vandekreeke.

SIDS and Kids CEO, Leanne Raven, is delighted with the Carnival Cruise Lines partnership: "Red Nose Day is all about being silly for a serious cause and the enormous red nose on Carnival Spirit certainly does that! We hope this gave people a giggle whilst encouraging them to show their own support for SIDS and Kids on Red Nose Day."

For further information or to book your next cruise visit www.carnival.com.au

Carnival Cruise lines now selling 2015 itineraries

Get in quick!

Overboard case reveals truth about falling from cruise ships

The young Australian couple who plunged from the cruise ship Carnival Spirit into the ocean on the high seas last Wednesday night was even by the weekend presumed dead.

Paramedic Paul Rossington, 30, and his girlfriend Kristen Schroder, 26, both of Barraba, 90 kilometres north of Tamworth in New South Wales, were on the cruise with seven family and friends.

Their disappearance overboard happened on the final day of the 10-day cruise. The final day is statistically the most likely day for such events to occur, for reasons that remain unclear.

With the search having been called off at the weekend, their deaths off the NSW coast seem destined to remain forever a mystery, with CCTV footage aboard revealing that they went overboard separately, though close together.

Surveillance video showed them going over the railing about the same time, with a brief pause between them, NSW Police Superintendent Mark Hutchings said.

Police said initially that it was hard to tell who went overboard first, but images were enhanced and the Sydney Morning Herald surmised that Rossington “was believed to have been valiantly trying to save his girlfriend when they both went overboard”.

The paper continued: “Reports say that Ms Schroder fell from the Carnival Spirit at 8.50pm on Wednesday night and that Mr Rossington fell only seconds later while trying to save her.”

The Herald attributed to a “senior police source” a report that CCTV taken in the ship’s casino on Wednesday evening showed the couple having “a short but heated argument”. Friends said the couple were known to argue frequently, but only for about five minutes a time. The newspaper said other CCTV footage later showed Schroder climbing over the railing, falling or jumping (not clear which), hitting a lifeboat on the way down, and Rossington jumping in shortly afterwards, perhaps to try and save her.

The circumstances and motives seem bound to remain forever a matter of conjecture. Note that the Herald report uses the word “fell”. It is standard journalistic practice to use that word, unless there is overwhelming evidence that the event was intentional, rather than misadventure or accident. The word is also used, quite understandably, out of consideration for the victims’ families and friends, who have enough to contend with at so tragic a time.

However the word “fall” could suggest to readers unused to cruising that a passenger could trip on a cruise ship deck and fall overboard. The truth is that anything like that would be profoundly difficult, if not impossible, on a cruise ship. Railings are built above waist height, even for a tall person.

Chief executive of Carnival Australia, Ann Sherry, said the railing over which the couple went was five centimeters higher than industry safety regulations mandate.

“It’s designed really to prevent accidental tripping” overboard, she told reporters.

“We want to make sure that it’s not possible for people to fall overboard or to trip and fall overboard … so I think it would be highly unlikely, but again, in this case, the police are conducting a full investigation,” the US Huffington Post reported.

Carnival Spirit has about 600 surveillance cameras that are constantly monitored. Sherry said at least four crew were monitoring the ship’s surveillance cameras at any time.

“There is also a balance, of course, around privacy. We don’t watch what people are doing in their private spaces.”

That is a very good point. Most passengers enjoy the privacy of their cabins and balconies. They don’t want crew observing what they do there in private – especially when they know there is not the slightest chance they will fall or jump overboard.

It was the last night of a fantastic cruise, Sherry noted. “Virtually everybody else was in the public spaces on the ship, and they’re the areas that we focus on in those times.”

The final night of the cruise is when such things tend to happen.

About 18 months ago, the US-based International Cruise Victims Association estimated that 165 people had gone missing at sea since 1995. In the same period, over 180 million passengers worldwide have taken cruises. Even taking into account repeat passengers, the chances of going overboard still appear to be less than one in a million.

Cruisepage.com, which lists some of those who have gone overboard, makes several observations. Males are much more likely to go overboard than females, the average age of a passenger who goes overboard is 41 years and – crucially – “you are most likely to fall overboard on the last night of your cruise”.

Peter Needham

Carnival Cruise Lines to deploy Carnival Legend down under

Carnival Cruise Lines has just announced that its Carnival Legend will sail the summer season from Sydney effective from 24 Sep 2014.

Legend is a sister ship to the 2680-passenger Carnival Spirit which already operates year-round from Sydney, with the second vessel heading to Australia after a dry dock in 2014 when she will be upgraded "to ensure she's perfectly suited for the tastes of the Aussie market," according to Carnival Cruise Lines director Australia/NZ, Jennifer Vandekreeke.

"We will be using our valuable learnings from the first year of Carnival Spirit's deployment to decide on the best features and enhancements for Australians," she said.

Vandekreeke said Legend would operate a series of 8-12 day cruises, then spend the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere before returning again to Australia in the spring of 2015.

Bookings for the second ship will open next month.

More information in today's issues of Travel Daily and Cruise Weekly.This Cruise Weekly breaking news brought to you by Cruise Weekly.

Carnival cancels cruises

Carnival cancels a dozen cruises following fleet-wide review

Carnival Triumph passengers take to the decks to escape the conditions inside

Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled 10 sailings on and two European cruises on Carnival Sunshine as part of its fleet-wide comprehensive operational review prompted by technical problems on three of its ships.

Passengers already booked on the affected cruises will receive full refunds, reimbursement for non-refundable travel costs and a 25% discount on a future cruise.

The cruise line said it was making "significant investments" to enhance the level of operating redundancies and the scope of hotel services that can run on emergency power. Earlier this year, passengers on the Triumph were stranded at sea for five days when the ship lost power.

Carnival Dream and Carnival Legend have subsequently suffered power shortages.

Carnival is also further improving each ship's fire prevention, detection and suppression systems.

"Given the necessary lead time to source needed materials and implement the enhancements, Carnival will extend the current out-of-service period for these two ships," it said.

Carnival Triumph will not return to service until June 3 and Sunshine, which is currently undergoing a multi-week dry dock to complete a comprehensive full-ship makeover, will now enter service on May 5.

"We sincerely regret canceling these cruises and disrupting our guests' vacation plans," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival Cruise Lines' president and CEO. "We are fully committed to applying the recommendations stemming from our fleetwide review and to make whatever investments are needed despite the difficult decision to impact people's vacations.

"Our team of experts has worked virtually around the clock to determine the best set of solutions and rapidly develop an effective implementation plan for both of these ships. Moving forward, we will have the ability to source materials and schedule improvements much more expediently, thus minimizing the scheduling impact on other vessels.

"I would like to provide continued assurances that all of our vessels have fully effective safety systems, equipment and training in place. Additionally, our ships receive regular inspections from the United States Coast Guard and other regulatory authorities.

"The changes we are implementing are focused primarily on improvements to better support continued power and hotel services should unexpected issues arise.

"In addition, we are applying new learnings and making enhancements in the area of fire suppression and extinguishing.

"Going forward, the review will focus on the balance of our fleet. While this process will take time, it is our highest priority and has the full support and resources of Carnival Cruise Lines and Carnival Corporation."

Carnival Triumph operates year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises from Galveston, Texas. Four-day cruises visit Cozumel while five-day cruises call at Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.

Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to operate a series of nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises May 5 to October 20, either round-trip from Barcelona or sailing between Barcelona and Venice.

The ship will sail on a 16-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to New Orleans November 17, positioning the vessel for a special six-day Caribbean cruise followed by the launch of year-round seven-day Caribbean service from New Orleans.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers 24/7 customer service

Carnival Spirit in Sydney (Flickr user: bluehorizon99)

In an Australian first, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced their call centre for Carnival Spirit will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a move that provides guests and agents with constant access to the dedicated call centre team.

The change highlights Carnival Cruise Lines' commitment to providing superior guest service at a time that best suits Australians' busy lifestyles.

The change also strengthens Carnival Cruise Lines' commitment to support their loyal agent partners; many agents work long hours and throughout the weekend, and will appreciate continual call centre support.

Jennifer Vandekreeke, Director Carnival Cruise Lines Australia and New Zealand is confident the change will be a major help. "We know Aussies lead busy lives and we also know holiday inspiration can strike at any time.  For these reasons, and as part of our ongoing commitment to quality customer service, we will now be available for guests and agents whenever they need us."

Carnival Spirit currently sails from Sydney offering eight to 12-day cruises to the Pacific Islands with limited sailings to New Zealand and select cruises from Melbourne.

Deck 10: Getting into the ‘Carnivore’ Spirit

Carnival Spirit arrives in Sydney (Carnival)

Roderick Eime

The arrival of Carnival Spirit into Sydney has set the city abuzz and media is all a-twitter about the largest ship ever to home port in Australia.

This middle-aged writer joined hundreds of excited young travel agents and a number of media for a one night sampler cruise last Friday and it was clear from the outset, it was going to be party time.

We’ve heard all about the “Aussification” (pro’s and con’s) and Green Thunder, but what about some of the less obvious aspects of this massive vessel?

I seldom cruise on the large ships and even less frequently with Mrs Travel Reporter (a big ship debutante) in company, so it was an enlightening experience in many respects. One of the most anticipated events was dining in the newly re-christened Nouveau Restaurant, otherwise known as Supper Club or Steakhouse throughout the Carnival family. This is the bookings-essential, $35-surcharge, fine dining, vegetarian-free experience way up on Deck 10 and accessible via a breathtaking, transparent staircase from the deck below.

Guests are greeted by immaculately coiffed and attired hostesses and seated at all correct, silver service tables, so I’m glad I ironed my shirt and brought a tie. Dress up for this occasion, it won’t hurt. Dress code: Cruise Elegant

While the menu remains consistent with other Carnival vessels, the wine list has certainly been tweeked for local (read: parochial) tastes with the addition of AU and NZ reds and whites.

“The Australian and NZ wines are the first to sell out,” laments the sommelier, “no-one seems interested in the French or Californian wines.”

Maybe because most Aussies know nothing about foreign wines and are a bit nervous to venture outside our comfort zone. Talking about ‘comfort zone’, bring on the steaks!

Our waiter manoeuvres a weighty trolley up to our table, full of prime cuts and proceeds to recite a carnivore’s anthem. I listen politely and then declare cowardly “Let chef decide. Whatever he’d cook for himself.” Madame rolls her eyes. She’s heard this before, but with such a daunting array, it’s a timid strategy of mine that never fails. An Ahi tuna tartare with Houghton’s Wisdom Sav Blanc to begin, followed by the [drum roll please] 500g spice-rubbed, prime rib eye with pepper sauce. Medium rare, of course. Good call chef. Mme chooses the petit 250g filet mignon with lobster tail. “Perfect”. A Rufus Stone Shiraz chases it down. It turns out to be one of the best steaks I’ve ever had, perfectly cooked, ideally seasoned. My only wince was it came on a cold plate, although every other plate on the table was piping hot. Desserts are to die for. Chocolate ‘sampler’ be damned, it’s a dish for two.

Thinking this must be several cuts above the regular dining experience, I am able to consult cruise veteran, John Pond, who just sailed in with Spirit from Hawaii.

“I can tell you,” John declares with some authority, “the meals downstairs are none too shabby either, particularly the prime rib and roast duck, plus the thin crust pizza (on the buffet deck) is always fun at midnight.”

Takeaways: Choose ‘anytime dining’ before you board, try room service (small charge) and you MUST do Nouveau at least once.

Book early at : www.carnival.com.au