The Carnival Freedom arrived in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, on Dec. 15, marking the line’s first time back to the port since resuming service.
According to a press release, the 2,974-guest Freedom is on a six-day Eastern Caribbean cruise that departed PortMiami on Dec. 12, and featured ports include Half Moon Cay and Amber Cove.
“We are delighted to bring the Carnival Freedom back to Grand Turk and to offer our guests the opportunity to experience all of this port’s beauty once again,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “On behalf of Carnival, I would like to thank the Turks and Caicos Islands government and all our partners on the ground in Grand Turk for working with us to make this opportunity possible.”
By year’s end, Carnival will have 19 ships in operation as the line’s restart of operations continues. All 22 of Carnival’s U.S.-based ships will be back in guest operations by March 2022.
Carnival Cruise Line made a number of health and safety protocol updates that will stay in place through January, according to a letter sent to booked guests.
Carnival said it was responding to the Omicron variant, and now all guests aged two and above will need to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking, or when in their cabins; and when outdoors if in large gatherings and physical distancing cannot be maintained.
As advised by health authorities, guests are recommended to use higher-grade masks indoors, the company said.
In addition, Carnival is banning smoking in the casino through Jan. 31, 2022.
“Lastly, the CDC has strongly recommended that all persons over 16 years obtain a COVID-19 booster vaccination when eligible. We strongly encourage all guests who are eligible to get their booster vaccine at least seven days before boarding,” the company said.
“We expect these measures to be temporary as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and truly appreciate your cooperation as we seek to protect everyone’s health and safety.”
Carnival Cruise Line will launch a new marketing campaign, “Funderstruck,” that invites people to choose fun again by booking and taking a vacation, according to a press statement.
Built upon Carnival’s brand platform Choose Fun, the company introduces an entirely new word – Funderstruck – to “describe the unmistakable feeling uniquely experienced when choosing fun on Carnival.”
Funderstruck will celebrate what travellers want right now and something that Carnival is precision-engineered to deliver – unapologetic fun together with those you enjoy spending time with the most, the company said.
Carnival will introduce Funderstruck first through CRM and owned social followed by a series of back-to-back campaign activations during two pivotal Holiday cultural moments.
The first Funderstruck spots will air on ESPN and ABC during the NBA on Christmas Day games, in addition to the game and pre-game sponsorships.
Funderstruck will then be featured with Carnival sponsoring the iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration, through a collaboration with ABC and the New York Times Square Alliance.
In addition to the Christmas and NYE integrations, the Funderstruck message will be used across all Carnival owned channels, OOH placements in key port and feeder markets, :15 and :30 National TV commercials, and digitally led efforts highlighted by streaming video, streaming audio, podcasts, unique high impact display and video efforts, and social presence across TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook.
In several spots, guests enjoy the many Funderstruck experiences that Carnival has to offer, from riding BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, to simply enjoying a delicious chocolate ice cream, most notably with other passengers who share an unabashed sense of euphoria and delight in being together again.
“Funderstruck is the unmistakable feeling when you choose fun on Carnival, and the kind of joyful experience essential to people’s health and happiness,” said Pete Callaro, senior vice president of brand and product marketing for Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival cruises are the perfect vacation to enjoy with those you’ve missed having fun with over the past year.”
The campaign, created by Anomaly, is an extension of the brand’s Choose Fun campaign that launched in 2018. All paid media and integration elements were created by the Initiative and supported by the public relations consultancy LDWW.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit http://www.carnival.com, or contact your favourite travel advisor or online travel site.
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