Carnival Cruise Lines plans
to tone down the American
aspects of its first Australianbased
ship, Carnival Spirit.
ALTHOUGH THE TERMS “THRILL SLIDE” AND
“splash park” sound suspiciously American,
Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) promises that
Carnival Spirit will be “Aussified” by the time
it arrives down under next year.
The ship will have the steepest, verticaldrop
waterslide at sea and a children’s pool
area with a “giant soaking water bucket” –
fun features never seen before in Australian
cruising.
For adults, an open-air deck called
Serenity will have a child-free pool, spas, sun
lounges and a bar.
The company has also revealed that
tipping will not be required.
To be home-ported year-round in
Sydney from October 2012, Carnival
Spirit is CCL’s first ship to be based
outside the US.
“We decided to come to Australia
because we saw a great fit between the
social, gregarious and free-spirited
Aussies and the Carnival experience,” CCL’s
new Australia-based director, Jennifer
Vandekreeke told Cruise Weekly.
“What truly made us comfortable about
the decision is the Australians’ respect for
quality in terms of dining, accommodation
and service,” she added.
According to Vandekreeke, Carnival Spirit
offers passengers more onboard space.
“Two-thirds of staterooms have their own
balconies so you can experience your own
expansive views of the Pacific Ocean,” she
said.
The “Aussification” also includes local
cuisine, beer and wine, a cruise director
from Sydney, Australian comedians in the
comedy club, and Australian dollars as the
onboard currency.
Bookings are available now by visiting
www.carnival.com.au or calling 13 31 94.
