Carnival Spirit to Call Australia Home

mercedes · January 21, 2011

In a major boost for the tourism industry, the world's largest cruise line – Carnival Cruise Lines – has announced that it will base one of its cruise ships fulltime in Australia.

The 88,500 ton Carnival Spirit will be the largest cruise ship ever to sail year round from Australia when she arrives in Sydney in October 2012 to operate a schedule of 8-12 day voyages to the Pacific Islands.

The move – announced globally in Sydney today – represents the first time Carnival Cruise Lines has ever ventured into Australian waters and reflects growing confidence in cruising in the region.

Carrying 2,667 passengers, Carnival Spirit will be the first ship to be based in Sydney year round that is too tall to sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Rising nearly 53 metres above the waterline, Carnival Spirit is more than three metres taller than the specified clearance height for ships passing under the Bridge. Because of its height, Carnival Spirit will be based at the only cruise facility east of the Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay's Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Founded in 1972 and based in Miami, Carnival Cruise Lines is the best known cruise brand in North America and is expected to carry more than four million passengers this year – the most in the global cruise industry.

As the largest cruise ship sailing from Australia year round, Carnival Spirit offers a wide range of onboard facilities and features, with approximately two-thirds of its cabins featuring private balconies – the most of any Australian-based ship.

Aimed at fun-loving Australians seeking vibrant, active holidays with a broad diversity of on-board choices, Carnival Spirit offers a host of areas for outdoor fun, including a 22 metre corkscrew water slide, four swimming pools, a miniature golf course, jogging track and a sport court. Guests have their choice of 16 lounges and bars, including a 1,170-seat three-deck-high theatre. In addition to a two-level main dining room, Carnival Spirit features a reservations-only steakhouse and an expansive casual poolside restaurant. The ship also houses a two-level health spa with wrap-around ocean views and an Internet café.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which represents Carnival Cruise Lines' Australian deployment locally, said the cruise line's move into Australia was testament to both the recent growth and the ongoing potential of the local cruise industry.

"Cruising is booming in this country because it offers passengers a great value holiday that includes accommodation, top quality food and loads of entertainment that appeal to all age groups," Ms Sherry said.

Gerry Cahill, Carnival Cruise Lines' President and CEO, said the cruise line was looking forward to introducing its unique style of cruising to the Australian market.

"Carnival has become the most popular cruise choice among North Americans by offering an experience that is casual, friendly and fun with a wide variety of activities for guests of all ages, including a huge array of options on our expansive outdoor decks," Mr Cahill said.

Carnival Spirit will offer a year round schedule of 8 to 12-day cruises to the Pacific Islands and a selection of 13-day sailings to New Zealand beginning October 25, 2012, with the program expected to go on sale by the middle of this year. The shipboard experience will be tailored to the Australian market with onboard spending in Australian dollars and no tipping required.

Ms Sherry said while the primary market would be Australians and New Zealanders, Carnival's strong brand recognition in the United States would play a role in attracting more US tourists to Australia.

Carnival Spirit's deployment meant there would be seven Carnival Corporation & plc ships cruising fulltime from Australia by the end of 2012, ensuring the industry was well on its way to reaching its target of one million passengers by 2020, if not sooner, she said. Other Carnival Corporation & plc brands operating fulltime in Australia include P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises.

"It is amazing growth considering there were just two ships based in Australia year round in 2007," Ms Sherry said.

"This really underscores Sydney's position on the world cruise map and our resolve to keep growing the market with multiple brands that appeal to customers."

DebbieandJerry · January 21, 2011

I read this last week and have been trying to get cruise information. Carnival has yet to post any itineraries.

mercedes · January 21, 2011

I am looking for that information too. I would love to cruise to Australia.

DebbieandJerry · January 21, 2011

Carmen, Jerry and I found a RCL April 2012 that starts in Australia and ends up in Hawaii. It really is "our backup" dream vacation if we can't get a Carnival one. We're leaning to Carnival because we are platinum cruisers and love the "perks"

mercedes · January 22, 2011

Thank you Debbie, I will check it out.

coloradocruisers · January 22, 2011

Good news from Carnival. Sharon grew up in Australia and sailed to Hawaii, via Tahiti, when she was a girl.

DebbieandJerry · January 27, 2011

I did a google search: Carnival Spirit Moves to Australia. Per the Australian article: Sailing starts October 2012 (not April as the US article stated); various nights (I think 8-15) with Australia and Australia/New Zealand as the ports.

There was an email contact address so I wrote them and asked when they would be starting to advertise the sailings for purchase! I'll report back when I hear back from Carnival.

DebbieandJerry · January 28, 2011

Got a response from Carnival that when the itineraries are set, they will be posted on their website.

Did notice, however, that the April 2012 San Diego to Hawaii on the Carnival Spirit is posted. We did this on Celebrity and loved it. The at sea days are not hot and sunny (more overcast and colder than you would expect). But quite a relaxing vacation! You really feel like you had a vacation when you spend 4 days at sea on the return.

I'll keep looking and let you all know what I find out.

mercedes · February 1, 2011

Got a response from Carnival that when the itineraries are set, they will be posted on their website.

Did notice, however, that the April 2012 San Diego to Hawaii on the Carnival Spirit is posted. We did this on Celebrity and loved it. The at sea days are not hot and sunny (more overcast and colder than you would expect). But quite a relaxing vacation! You really feel like you had a vacation when you spend 4 days at sea on the return.

I'll keep looking and let you all know what I find out.

I did the Hawaii cruise a couple of years ago, and loved the 4 sea days. They went by suprisingly fast.

Orrymain · May 5, 2011

This sounds very enticing. I've been Australia just once and it was way too short of a trip. What a neat way of combining two loves -- cruising and Oz.