Australia’s biggest ever cruise season is officially underway, with Sydney staging a spectacular welcome this morning to mark the maiden arrival of the latest ship to call Australia home – Carnival Cruise Lines’ superliner Carnival Legend.
In keeping with its name, the 88,500-tonne ship enjoyed a legendary entry into Sydney Harbour with the Australian Girls Choir performing a medley of well-known Australian tunes, along with the American and Australian national anthem, with 3000 guests and crew singing along.
Carnival Cruise Lines Vice President Australia and New Zealand Jennifer Vandekreeke said the biggest chorus at sea was a truly fitting arrival for Australia’s latest ship as she sailed into the iconic Sydney Harbour.
Carnival Legend is the first international ship to arrive in Australia for the 2014-15 summer cruise season which will see a record flotilla of more than 35 different ships sailing in local waters, making more than 600 calls to Australian ports and injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy.
In a move which underlines the surging demand from Australians for cruise holidays, Carnival Legend is the second ship to be based in Australia by Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, which deployed Carnival Spirit in Sydney in 2012.
Carnival Legend will sail on 22 cruises from Sydney over the next seven months, giving 55,000 Aussie families and couples a fun-packed holiday and injecting an estimated $20 million into the local economy through passenger and crew spending, supplies, port fees and charges.
Ms Vandekreeke said the cruise line had carried more than 190,000 Australians and New Zealanders on local cruises since 2012.
“Australians have shown a real affinity for Carnival Cruise Lines because we share a similar outlook on life – a passion for fun, new experiences and adventure. It’s because of this great fit that we decided it was time for an encore, bringing Carnival Legend out to join sister ship Carnival Spirit,” Ms Vandekreeke said.
Before reaching Australia, Carnival Legend undertook a massive $47 million “Aussification” to ensure the ship was right for this market, combining the best mix of award-winning American innovations tailored to suit Australian tastes. The ship has been kitted out with great features including the jaw-dropping Green Thunder water slide – the fastest and steepest water slide at sea – as well as bespoke menus, coffee and wine to meet Australian tastes.
Carnival Legend also boasts a number of features and facilities never before seen in Australia, including a Bonsai Sushi restaurant and the Red Frog Pub with locally brewed ThirstyFrog Summer Ale. For the kids, Hasbro, The Game Show, the whimsical Seuss at Sea program and the Cherry on Top lolly shop are exclusively available in Australian waters on Carnival Legend. Spanning 12 decks, the 293-metre superliner also offers a sports court, jogging track, two-deck fitness centre, 20 restaurants, bars and lounges and world class entertainment.
Fares on Carnival Legend start from $779* per person twin share for a 10-night Pacific Islands cruise departing Sydney October 27, 2014. For more information call 13 31 94, see a travel agent or visit www.carnival.com.au
*subject to availability, conditions apply
SOURCE Carnival Cruise Lines