Carnival Cruise Lines officially confirmed the investment it’s making to ensure Carnival Legend is right for the Australasian market, with dry dock upgrades worth US$17 million.
Confidence in Carnival Legend’s arrival was cemented with the first customer booking just hours after sales opened for the ships’ maiden voyage from Sydney. With the arrival of the new ship, Carnival Cruise Lines has proved its commitment to Aussie and Kiwi cruisers, operating seasonally at double capacity from 2014.
Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise line, hand-picked the most popular features of its 24-strong fleet for the upgrades to Carnival Legend. The features were selected and tailored based on insights from over 80,000 Aussie and Kiwi cruisers garnered from sister ship, Carnival Spirit, which will be celebrating her first anniversary in October.
Highlights of the upgrades include a southern hemisphere first – Carnival Cruise Lines’ own RedFrog Pub. Knowing the pub is a cornerstone of Aussie culture, this laid-back yet lively space will be a popular spot, complete with foosball and live music; pre-requisites for any great pub.
Responding to Australasians’ love of the outdoors and adventure, Carnival Legend will receive the popular Green Thunder waterslide, synonymous with Carnival Cruise Lines after famously gracing Carnival Spirit’s top deck in 2012. Designed and built specifically for Australasians, Green Thunder is the steepest and fastest waterslide at sea, set inside Carnival Waterworks, a splash zone also featuring a giant tipping bucket and racing slides.
With quality Asian cuisine being so popular throughout Australia, Carnival Legend will ensure guests don’t suffer from wasabi withdrawals with the addition of Bonsai Sushi, a Japanese-inspired sanctuary featuring new and classic favourites including traditional sushi, sake and sashimi.
For the sweet-tooths, Cherry on Top is a well-stocked ‘candy-and-more-store’ where guests can indulge on confectionary favourites and collect tasty take-home souvenirs.
Carnival Cruise Lines Vice President for Australia and New Zealand, Jennifer Vandekreeke commented: “The fact that we’ll be operating on double capacity next year with Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend is undoubtedly due to the ongoing support of our valued travel agents.”
Like her sister ship Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend will offer guests the same wide open spaces, child-free Serenity retreat, 16 bars and lounges and upgraded fitness centre. Carnival Legend will receive some of the most popular Carnival Spirit ‘Aussifications’ including no tipping, Australian power points, new menu offerings and an upgrade to the onboard coffee to ensure a perfectly brewed blend.
Agents can now book Carnival Legend holidays in POLAR. Carnival Legend will set sail on her first deployment in September 2014.
Further information about Carnival Legend’s dry dock upgrades will be shared over the coming months.
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