Carnival’s fleetwide enhancement nears completion

MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line has entered its final phase of a US$2 billion fleet enhancement program with the transformation of the Carnival Victory into the upgraded Carnival Radiance.

The refurbishment of Carnival Victory will see the addition of the line’s popular culinary, bar and entertainment offerings. Upon completion, Carnival Radiance will enter service in 2020 following a 38-day dry dock in Cadiz, Spain; its homeport and itinerary details will be announced next month.

As part of the enhancement program, all ships in Carnival’s fleet receive the following amenities:

Casual F&B options: Poolside venues like Guy’s Burger Joint and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Bar-B-Que (in collaboration with Food Network star Guy Fieri); BlueIguana Cantina & Tequila Bar; RedFrog Rum Bar; as well as upgrades to Lido Deck buffets and The Deli
Specialty dining: The Chef’s Table; the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar; as well as Italian, sushi and seafood options
Shopping & personal care: Cherry on Top sweet shops; Pixels photo galleries; expanded retail outlets; and renovated fitness and spa facilities
Outdoor decks & attractions: New water parks with slides and splash zones; Serenity adults-only areas; new miniature golf courses
Youth and family entertainment: Game arcades; dedicated Camp Ocean, Circle ‘C’ and Club O2 facilities
Theatre & live entertainment: Punchliner Comedy Clubs; Playlist Productions shows; Rock Band 2.0; live entertainment; deck parties; onboard programming; piano bars
Technology: Fleetwide rollout of the Carnival HubApp that allows guests to check in online, book dining, spa treatments and shore excursions, and communicate with fellow travellers
Wi-Fi: Award-winning NextGen Connectivity that creates a best-in-class Wi-Fi experience

Carnival first launched its fleet enhancement program in 2011. Since then, it has completed refurbishments to more than 20 ships, taken delivery of three new ships and has three additional ships scheduled for delivery through 2022.

“We have been investing in our products, amenities and experience offerings at unprecedented levels which are driving higher results in guest satisfaction, passenger yields and onboard revenue,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our guests and travel agent partners can count on a high degree of consistency and quality vacation offerings across all our fleet and homeports, regardless of what ship they’re sailing on.”

Since the program’s launch, Carnival’s annual passenger count has grown from 4.1 million to 5.2 million guests, while the number of children under 18 sailing annually has grown from 650,000 to 800,000. Its voyage operations have also grown from 1,400 to 1,700 sailings per year, and its lower berth count has grown from 58,000 to 70,000.

According to Duffy, Carnival’s top-quality offerings across its fleet have attracted more guests that are new to cruise.

“Ultimately, this effort is about driving demand by giving each and every guest a memorable vacation and offering a reason to come back to Carnival again and again,” she said. “And it’s clearly working based on extremely positive feedback from the more than five million guests we carry each year.”