Tag Archives: Carnival Corporation

Carnival Sunshine begins New Orleans cruises

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Carnival Sunshine begins New Orleans cruises

By Jerry Limone
The Carnival Sunshine will embark on its first cruise from New Orleans on Monday afternoon, sailing to Cozumel and Grand Cayman on a six-day cruise.

Carnival Cruise Lines said the 3,006-passenger Sunshine is the largest Carnival ship to be based in New Orleans. The Sunshine will sail from New Orleans year-round.

Earlier this year, the Sunshine emerged from a $155 million makeover that transformed the former Carnival Destiny. The ship was lengthened and 151 staterooms were added. It also received dining and entertainment upgrades under the Carnival Fun Ship 2.0 program.

Carnival Sunshine officially renamed

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Carnival Sunshine officially renamed

Carnival Sunshine has finally been officially renamed following its major renovation and unofficial rebranding earlier this year.

Back in May, the vessel – formerly known as the Carnival Destiny – underwent a complete overhaul worth $155 million (£96 million), with the creation of new entertainments including a huge waterpark, new dining venues and improved cabins.

Although it has been sailing on Mediterranean itineraries during the summer, the Sunshine arrived in New Orleans this weekend to be officially renamed in a ceremony that included jazz music and godmother Lin Arison; arts patron, philanthropist and widow of the late Carnival Corporation founder Ted Arison.

Cruise Critic reports that she said: “I think one of the most exciting things that happened today, for me, was going around the ship and seeing the transformation.

“I know that it’s going to continue being lucky, which is the most important thing for a ship.”

At the ceremony itself, there was a marching band, as well as an assortment of singers and dancers, with performers hailing from the National YoungArts Foundation, which was established by the Arisons.

When the ship was christened the first time as the Destiny, it was the world’s largest vessel.

Princess Cruises assures agents it’s ‘business as usual’

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Princess Cruises assures agents it’s ‘business as usual’

By Phil Davies

Princess Cruises assures agents it's 'business as usual'UK agents have been assured that it is ‘business as usual’ despite management changes at the top of Princess Cruises.

The new structure will see Jan Swartz (pictured) step up to succeed Alan Buckelew as president of Princess Cruises.

With Buckelew moving to become chief operations officer for parent company Carnival Corporation, Swartz will report to Stein Kruse, who has been promoted to president and chief executive of the newly-formed Holland America Group.

Kruse will provide “commercial and operations oversight” to Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and our Alaska land operations, Swartz said.

Swartz, who has been sales, marketing and customer service executive vice president at Princess for four years, said: “Paul Ludlow, UK director, will continue to lead the Princess Cruises brand in the UK.

“For our travel agent partners, it will be business as usual, and all plans we have discussed regarding 2014 will proceed as agreed.

“I want to assure you that travel agents will continue to play a key role in the success of our company.”

She stressed that there is “absolutely no intention” to combine Princess and Holland America Line.

“In fact, our work together will focus on how to keep them as unique and distinct as possible,” added Swartz.

“I look forward to working with Stein, who is an experienced and dynamic leader, as we focus our team to take Princess Cruises to the next level of success and growth.”