Tag Archives: Vista Class

Carnival set to ‘raise the bar’ with tech announcement

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Carnival’s Vista Class ship.

by Phil Davies

A new connected experience that uses the ‘internet of things’ is to be deployed by Carnival Corporation to “raise the vacation bar”.

A new passenger experience level based on personalisation and simplicity at scale is being promised through the use of first-of-its kind technology, according to the cruise giant.

More is due to be unveiled by chief executive Arnold Donald at an event in Las Vegas on January 5, including an in-depth look into the new technology, according to the company.

Details remain sketchy ahead of the formal unveiling at the 2017 US Consumer Electronics Show, where Donald will give the keynote speech.

Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of show organiser the Consumer Technology Association, said: “Carnival Corp’s visibility at CES reflects our focus on ground breaking innovation and underscores that technology no longer has strict, defined boundaries.

“It disrupts traditional business sectors and empowers consumers in ways never before imagined. A recent CTA study found that consumers overwhelmingly use technology to enhance their travel experiences.

“[Arnold] Donald’s address will demonstrate how Carnival Corp and its cruise line brands, in turn, is using innovative tech to provide a more personalised and enhanced experience for its consumers.”

Carnival building two Vista-class ships in China

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Buhdy Bok (left), president of Costa Group Asia, and Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald at the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association conference, after Donald announced an agreement to build ships in China. Photo Credit: Arnie Weissmann
 

Carnival Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding to build two Vista-class cruise ships in China intended for use by a Chinese cruise brand.

The ships have been discussed in general terms as part of an earlier disclosure of a shipbuilding joint venture between Carnival, China State Shipbuilding Corp. and Italian firm Fincantieri.

The agreement was announced at the 11th annual China Cruise Shipping and International Cruise Expo in Tianjin, China.

The memorandum specifies that the first of the two ships would be delivered in 2022. There is also an option to build two more Vista-class ships. The first Vista-class ship, the Carnival Vista, entered service last May.

Carnival said that the agreement is “non-binding.” If the ships are built, it would be a groundbreaking development, marking the first time that sophisticated cruise ships are built in China for the Chinese domestic market.

A Carnival joint venture in China would operate the new ships as part of plans to launch the first multi-ship domestic cruise brand in China.

If the joint venture is finalized, in all likelihood older ships from Carnival Corp. brands would sail for the new brand in advance of the 2022 newbuild, said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corp.

Other partners in the operating joint venture include China State Shipbuilding Corp. and the China Investment Capital Corp.

“Being able to offer cruises on China-built cruise ships represents a new opportunity for us to generate excitement and demand for cruising amongst a broader segment of the Chinese vacation market,” said Alan Buckelew, Carnival Corp.’s global chief operations officer.

Separately, Carnival and its Chinese partners announced that the Chinese central government has granted approval for the cruise joint venture to incorporate in Hong Kong.

Next Carnival ship to be called Horizon

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Carnival Vista entering Valletta Harbor, Malta.

Carnival Cruise Line said the second ship in its Vista class will bear the name Carnival Horizon.

The 133,500-gross-ton ship is scheduled to enter service in March 2018.

Carnival said that in addition to all of the features on Carnival Vista, such as the pedal-powered SkyRide and an IMAX theater, the Carnival Horizon will have a number of innovations unique to the ship.

Carnival Horizon, which will have a double-occupancy capacity of 3,934, would be the 26th ship in Carnival’s fleet and follows the most recent new vessels Carnival Vista, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic and Carnival Dream.

Homeport, itineraries and ship features will be revealed at a later date, Carnival said.