MIAMI, Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival
Cruise Line has launched a new free mobile app that provides
vacationers aboard Carnival Breeze with a variety of useful
information to maximize the fun on their next Carnival cruise. The
app includes an innovative "chat" feature that allows guests to
exchange messages with their traveling companions using their
mobile devices throughout the voyage for a low flat fee of
$5 for the entire cruise.
The line is also piloting enhanced Internet access aboard
Carnival Freedom, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine that
dramatically increases bandwidth and speed and also includes a
first-ever social media package providing unlimited access to
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other popular sites for
a fee of just $5 per day or
$25 per voyage during the testing
period.
"Consumers expect a high level of connectivity even while on
vacation and these new enhancements provide our guests not only
with helpful tools for getting the most out of their cruise but
also a convenient and cost-effective way for keeping in touch with
their family and friends while on board," said Gus Antorcha, Carnival's senior vice president
of guest commerce. "We recognize the increasingly important role
that technology plays in people's daily lives and the launch of
this application and new Internet packages provides us with a
strong platform for introducing additional innovations and ways to
use technology to enhance our guest experience even
further."
New Mobile Smartphone App Pilot on Carnival Breeze
Currently being piloted on Carnival Breeze, the new free
Carnival Hub app is designed to provide guests with a convenient,
at-a-glance view of the ship's many shipboard facilities and
features along with updates on events and happenings taking place
on board.
Also available is a "chat" feature where guests can communicate
with anyone on board from their mobile devices. The price for the
chat feature, which includes a group chat option, is $5 per voyage during the testing period.
The app also includes:
- A day-by-day schedule of hundreds of on-board events, from
nightly show times at the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by
George Lopez and Playlist Production
shows to movies and sporting events on the big screen at Seaside
Theatre and Seuss at Sea events
- A "favorites" feature that allows guests to see what events and
activities their sailing companions are participating in
- Information on casual dining options such as Guy's Burger
Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and The Taste Bar, along with details on
the RedFrog Pub and other popular watering holes
- Searchable deck plans with key areas highlighted, providing a
comprehensive layout of the ship's various on-board offerings
- Itinerary details, including current ship time and
arrival/departure times for upcoming port calls
- Real-time information on guests' current Sail & Sign
shipboard account balance
The app is currently available for the Carnival Breeze for
iPhone and Android users via their respective app stores with
fleetwide rollout planned within the next 18 to 24 months.
During this time, the line will continue to add more fun and
functional features to help guests have an even more personalized
and memorable cruise vacation, such as the ability to purchase
shore excursions, view photos taken by the ship's professional
photographers on board, and more.
Enhanced Internet Beta-Testing on Carnival Freedom, Carnival
Breeze and Carnival Sunshine
Carnival is also piloting new Internet access and plans on
Carnival Freedom, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine – including
the cruise industry's first social media package. With these new
choices, consumers are offered a wide range of convenient options
as well as increased bandwidth, providing enhanced service and
connectivity, all at prices that are significantly lower than
previous plans.
With the new social media package, guests can use popular apps
or sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat and
Pinterest for a flat fee of $5 per
day or $25 per voyage during the
initial testing period. Unlike other Internet packages, the social
media package is unique in that it allows guests a convenient,
flexible and highly affordable option for updating their favorite
social media pages during their cruise at one low price.
Guests can also upgrade to a "value" package that includes
unlimited access to the Web for checking email, sports scores,
weather updates and a wide range of other applications.
There's also a "premium" package that provides the fastest
available connection speed allowing guests to access video calling
sites like Skype.
The mobile app and enhanced Internet packages will roll out to
additional ships following successful completion of the initial
pilot programs. Additional features and functionality are
also in development and will be phased in over time.
"In creating both the Internet plans and the app, we spent a lot
of time listening to our guests to understand their needs and
develop these products accordingly," said Gabriela Gonzalez, Carnival's vice president of
guest technology and photo. "While we trusted the plans and the app
would be well received, we are stunned by how quickly and widely
they have been embraced during the pilot period. We're excited to
bring these innovations to more ships over the coming months while
we continue to work to make them even better," she added.
Additional Information
For additional information on Carnival's "Fun Ship" cruises,
contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit
carnival.com.
Carnival can also be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival
YouTube: www.youtube.com/carnival
Journalists also can visit Carnival's media site,
www.carnival-news.com or follow the line's PR department on Twitter
at www.twitter.com/CarnivalPR.
About Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival, a unit of
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is "The
World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" with 24 ships operating three-
to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas,
Caribbean, Mexican Riviera,
Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Australia, New
Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The company currently
has two new 133,500-ton ships on order -- Carnival Vista, set to
debut in 2016, and an as-yet-unnamed vessel scheduled to enter
service in 2018.
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SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line