Carnival Spirit aerial

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry announced this morning that Carnival Spirit will be based full time in Australia from October 2012.

In a move that represents the first time Carnival Cruise Lines has ever ventured into Australian waters, the Carnival Spirit is also the first cruise ship to call Sydney home full time that is too tall to sail under the Harbour Bridge.

Carrying 2,667 passengers and approximately 930 crew, Ms Sherry said, “the Carnival Spirit adds another dimension to cruising in Australia.”

Currently scheduled for year round 8 to 12 days cruises to the Pacific Islands and selected 13-day sailing to New Zealand, itineraries will be confirmed midyear.

With the Australian cruise market growing exponentially in recent years, Ms Sherry said that it was a seemingly natural progression for Carnival Cruise Lines to base one of their ships here.
28 cruise ship visits in 28 days are scheduled in February 2011 which further demonstrates the growth of cruising not only in Australia but specifically in Sydney. The one ship market of the past is no longer.

As the youngest ship to be based here, the Carnival Spirit will be ‘Australianised’ subtly with an increased offering of Aussie beers and changes in lingo, entertainment style and kids activities.

Ms Sherry shared with e-Travel Blackboard that whilst 70% of the market segment in the cruise industry may be families, singles and couples are also catered to on board the Carnival Spirit with adult exclusive areas.

“The Carnival Spirit takes ship quality to another level,” Ms Sherry said and further re-iterated her belief that the vessel will secure a strong position in the Australian market.

In another first for an Australian based ship, approximately two-thirds of its cabins offer private balconies and many are adjoining which suits families and larger groups.

Whilst the Overseas Passenger Terminal will need to work better in the capacity that it was built for prior to Carnival Spirit’s launch, Ms Sherry said that she believes Garden Island will also play a part in porting the 88,500 tonne ship.

Primarily targeted to Australian & New Zealand travellers, it is expected that Carnival’s strong brand recognition in the USA will play a part in attracting additional tourism to the country.