Tag Archives: Carnival Corporation

Carnival Corp Inks Deal to Develop Dubai Cruise Terminal

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At the signing ceremony

Carnival Corporation has signed a deal with Meraas for the Dubai Cruise Terminal, which will become the company’s primary hub for its homeporting and transit operations in the region, according to a statement.

The partnership will also result in both parties “working together to identify and grow the cruise tourism business in the Arabian Gulf region,” with operations starting in late 2020.

Speaking on the agreement, Arnold W. Donald, Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation said: “We have a long history in Dubai with our world-leading cruise brands. We are excited to be part of this important venture that will drive new tourism opportunities for Dubai and the region through cruising.”

Carnival Corporation will launch new cruises from “Dubai Cruise Terminal” and aims to attract new source markets from India and China, the company said.

The cruise terminal is designed as a strategic maritime centre, providing easy access to and from the city, while offering passengers an unparalleled view of iconic landmarks, such as Ain Dubai and the upcoming Dubai Lighthouse, as well as the Dubai’s stunning urban skyline.

Dubai Harbour will be home to two cruise terminal buildings, spanning a total of 30,000 square meters, joined by a single quay of about 1 kilometer, capable of accommodating up to three cruise ships concurrently, including Carnival Corporation’s newest and most advanced cruise ships, as well as up to 13,200 passengers at a time. In anticipation of an upsurge in cruises, Meraas has planned for the addition of two more terminal buildings that will increase capacity to six cruise ships at the same time.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that mega projects being implemented in the UAE are reinforcing the country’s profile globally as a model for sustainable growth driven by diversification, innovation and productive partnerships with the private sector.

“We welcome visitors from across the world and provide them with an exceptional tourism experience. We want them to leave with lasting memories that they can share in their countries and communities. The continuous development of infrastructure has enabled our country to be a destination of choice in the region. Supported by the talent and creativity of our people, I am confident that we will be able to establish global leadership in several sectors. The UAE will continue to be a symbol of progress and prosperity,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

HH Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks came as he approved the “Dubai Cruise Terminal” as the main hub for cruise tourism in Dubai. His Highness also attended the signing ceremony of a strategic partnership agreement between Meraas and Carnival Corporation that aims to transform Dubai into a major regional maritime tourism hub, according to a statement.

Under the agreement, signed by His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman of Meraas, and Arnold W. Donald, Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation, the companies will collaborate across several strategic areas including port development, terminal management and new cruise development opportunities at Dubai Harbour and the broader region.

Carnival Unveils Largest Operations Center in Industry

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Carnival Operations Center
PHOTO: Carnival Operations Center (Photos courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival Cruise Line has previewed its new Fleet Operations Center (FOC) in Miami. The 35,000 square-foot facility is the largest and most advanced in the cruise industry. It’s designed to offer around the clock monitoring of the line’s 26 cruise ships.

The FOC’s most impressive features were on display at a ribbon cutting ceremony and interactive demonstration. They include a 74-foot-long video wall made up of 57 LED screens. The high-definition wall displays the status of all ships, including weather, itinerary updates, safety, engine and environmental updates.

State-of-the-art tracking and data-analysis provide real-time information about the status of each ship. Ports, logistics, guest operations and several other functions are monitored, as well.

Seating in the FOC is arranged in “pods” according to ship classes, to facilitate communication and teamwork.

“In designing the FOC, we combined best practices from the military, government and industry to achieve a generational leap in facility design, sophisticated technology and utilization, creating the largest and most advanced fleet operations centre in the industry,” said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our guests and crew, and this new facility enhances our already comprehensive approach to safety and operational excellence.”

Carnival built custom tools for the FOC, including proprietary software applications “Neptune” and “Argos.” Argos is a knowledge management tool which gathers information from thousands of data points to facilitate communication. Neptune analyzes navigational safety data. It enables efficiencies in nautical operations, procedural optimization and sustainability.

“The FOC brings together real-time information for decision making. Integrated shoreside teams support our shipboard officers to act quickly and decisively while significantly increasing the operational efficiency of our ships,” said Gus Antorcha, Carnival Cruise Line’s chief operating officer.

Carnival partnered with Constant Technologies, Inc., a design firm specializing in operations centres. The design of the FOC features an open concept floor plan with sustainable furnishings and ergonomic features such as blue ceiling lighting to decrease eye fatigue. Desks are sitting/stand ready and carpeting is made from recycled fishnets. The FOC also features multiple conference rooms that can be linked to the main LED wall. They are intended for use by support teams in the event of any incidents at sea.

The Miami facility is the third and largest in Carnival Corporation’s global FOC network. Additional facilities are located in Seattle and Hamburg.

Should the need arise, the Miami FOC can monitor the entire 103-ship fleet of parent company Carnival Corporation.

Teen gets Carnival cruise in a swap for a Snapchat handle

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Knowing that Darian Lipscomb likes to cruise, Carnival dangled the possibility of a sailing on the new Carnival Horizon in exchange for the Snapchat rights to @CarnivalCruise.Who owns the Snapchat handle @CarnivalCruise?

It wasn’t Carnival Cruise Line.

Instead, it was a teen in Prospect, Va., who had been on four cruises and named his Snapchat after his favourite brand in 2012 when he was 9 years old.

Needless to say, the social media handle @CarnivalCruise was of some value to Miami-based Carnival. But what would entice Darian Lipscomb, now 16, to part with the name?

Carnival put on a full-court press, using its latest promotional tool, chief fun officer Shaquille O’Neal, on billboards and a mobile advertising truck, which it dispatched to Prospect.

“Hey Prospect, Does Anyone Know Darian?” said the mobile ads, listing Shaq’s own social media handle as the place to respond.

Knowing that Darian likes to cruise, Carnival dangled the possibility of a sailing on the new Carnival Horizon in exchange for the Snapchat rights to @CarnivalCruise.

The day after the billboards hit the street, Carnival surprised Lipscomb in person at his home, to officially extend the invitation for him and his family to sail aboard the Carnival Horizon.

It worked.

Carnival has the @CarnivalCruise handle in time to use it to promote the Horizon’s debut next month in the Mediterranean.

And Lipscomb will depart for Barcelona on March 31 for his first cruise in Europe. Carnival plans to make him the first passenger to board the cruise and promises surprises for the Lipscomb family throughout the voyage.