NZ gets designs on its first Carnival Cruise Lines Ship

MEDIA RELEASE
August 17, 2011

New Zealand gets designs on its first Carnival Cruise Lines Ship

Changes to include thrill slide, splash park and spacious Serenity area

Carnival Spirit, Carnival Cruise Lines first ship to be based outside the United States, will be transformed to create a new, unique cruise product for New Zealand families and couples that will be home-ported in Sydney, and undertake year-round cruises from October 2012.

Before heading down-under for the first time, the world’s most popular cruise line undertook research with New Zealanders and Australians to find out their holiday preferences and what they want most from a cruise holiday.

Overwhelmingly, Carnival Cruise Lines found they are a great fit with the Kiwi audience and share a similar outlook on life. Firstly there’s a desire to explore the great outdoors, try out new experiences and be adventurous. Plus, there’s a mutual respect and appreciation for quality.

Armed with this knowledge, Carnival Cruise Lines is making some major enhancements to Carnival Spirit whilst in Dry Dock in January 2012.

Action adventure
Carnival Cruise Lines knows Kiwis love to be active in the water and that’s why the biggest addition to Carnival Spirit will be two new water firsts for the New Zealand market, a thrill slide and a splash park. Carnival WaterWorks™, onboard Carnival Spirit, will have the steepest water slide at sea. It will have a vertical drop set to send pulses racing, kids screaming with excitement and bigger kids screaming even louder. Plus, there’s a giant soaking water bucket in the splash park – perfect for the young ones.

Social fun
Kiwis can enjoy good times with friends and family by indulging in the full onboard entertainment programme, which has been tailored specifically to suit the taste of New Zealanders.

We all know Kiwis are spoilt at home when it comes to wine, coffee and world class cuisine. For this reason, Carnival Spirit has ensured the onboard offering will be up to Kiwi standards with cuisine sourced locally in Australasia and flat whites available around the clock!

Apart from the food, Kiwis can laugh the night away at ‘The Punchliner’ comedy club, featuring some of the best comedians on the Australian circuit, test out their vocal skills in the ‘Superstar live karaoke’ or explore Carnival Spirit’s 16 bars and lounges.

The entertainment programme continues all day long with live music, art auctions, exclusive retail sales, family ping pong tournaments, dance classes, wine tasting and destination seminars to ensure guests get the most of their time ashore.

Kids will be entertained throughout the day at one of Carnival Spirit’s three dedicated kids clubs and well into the evening with babysitting services from 10pm to 3am.

Chilled time
Carnival Cruise Lines knows that sometimes Kiwis just want to kick-back, relax and be child-free. The new SerenityTM area offers the ultimate in chilled out time, minus the kids. This large open-air deck has a pool, spa, comfortable lounges and a bar so you can enjoy a cocktail or two and watch the world go by.

Plus, two-thirds of Carnival Spirit’s staterooms have their own balconies so you can experience your own private space with expansive ocean views.

The changes don’t stop there!
Guests can experience a dedicated menu with some well-loved iconic dishes made from the freshest local produce. Even the coffee is being refined by working with popular baristas to get the perfect blend of latte, cappuccino and flat white.

Carnival Cruise Lines has even nailed the fine print by featuring New Zealand power points so there’s no need to travel with an adaptor.

And of course, the Carnival Cruise Lines commitment to fun and quality doesn’t stop at its products. One of the cruise liner’s top-rated cruise directors worldwide has been carefully selected to be the first Cruise Director for Carnival Cruise Line’s itineraries departing from Australia.

As a born and bred Sydneysider, Stu Dunn knows what Kiwis call fun and has a legion of fans from all over the globe. Stu will be the Carnival Spirit’s first Cruise Director when she sails out of Sydney. He will be responsible for coordinating the onboard entertainment programme so guests can enjoy their type of holiday every day.

Bookings are available now by visiting www.carnival.co.nz or calling the Reservations Hotline on 0800 442 095 (from New Zealand).

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