| Carnival over for Vandekreeke

CARNIVAL Cruise Line Vice President & General Manager Australia, Jennifer Vandekreeke, will leave the company in the coming weeks to take up a yet-to-be announced role within the local travel industry.

Vandekreeke launched the Carnival business in Australia, having undertaken feasibility studies on the local operation prior to announcing the deployment of Carnival Spirit in Aus (TD 12 Jan 2011).

She was subsequently named as the brand’s first ever Director Australia (TD 19 Apr 2011), relocating down under and settling here with her family.

“After 13 fun-filled years of waterslides, cucumber sunrises and the occasional sing-along with [shipboard cruise band] Music Manila, I will be leaving the Carnival team to take on a new challenge,” Vandekreeke told CW.

“It was the opportunity of a lifetime to launch the Carnival business in Australia and to play a role in the growth story of cruising in this market.

“It has been an honour, a privilege and a joy to lead the team as we built the Carnival brand from zero to one million Australian guests,” she said.

“I am leaving the brand and the business in the very best of hands with the local Australia team, and I can’t wait to see where they take our fun brand next.

“I’ll be cheering on from the sidelines every step of the way.”

Vandekreeke, who a decade ago told Cruise Weekly her favourite onboard activity is Superstar Live Karaoke (CW 25 Aug 2011), also paid tribute to Australian travel advisors.

“I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to the travel agents who supported us every step of the way…our agent partners not only made us successful, they also made the job a lot of fun.”

She said she takes away some great memories of Sail Away Parties, partnership summit sing-a-longs and “the never ending passion and dedication of the Australian and NZ travel agent community”.

Vandekreeke is pictured sharing a refreshing beverage with Christine Duffy, Carnival President during a visit to Australia in 2016.