Carnival Panorama: The cruise line’s last Vista-class vessel sailed its maiden voyage along the Mexican Carnival Panorama
‘Profitable passengers will mean more ships in Europe’
C
Gus Antorcha
arnival Cruise Line is open to deploying more ships in Europe, its chief operating
officer has said. The US line has 18 home ports
in North America and has never consistently based ships in Europe. There were no Carnival ships
based in Europe last summer. However, Carnival Legend and Carnival Radiance will operate in the Mediterranean next summer while
For us to have nine
ex-Dover departures [in 2021] – we are going to jump all over that
yet-to-launch 5,200-passenger Mardi Gras will visit the UK as it repositions to the US. Carnival will offer nine departures
out of Dover on 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend in 2021. Speaking on the maiden voyage
of Carnival Panorama in the Mexican Riviera, chief operating officer Gus Antorcha said: “You will see Europe becoming more important.” He said it was vital that when
Carnival tries a market “we should try and stay there for a number of
years” as agents are able to build their knowledge and learn from customer feedback. “It is easier to sell if you’re selling
the same product,” he added. “It gives consistency. Some of our sister lines and competitors are moving ships all over the world and they are adding new itineraries every week. That is harder to sell.” Iain Baillie, vice-president of
international sales, called on agents to encourage the line to base ships in Europe by ensuring passengers were “profitable”. “It is up to us,” he said.
“[Customers] choose [to spend money in] the bars, the casino and the excursions; if we can get those metrics correct we can keep the ships coming. “For us to have nine ex-Dover
departures [in 2021] – we are going to jump all over that.”
PANORAMA HAS ‘SUBTLE CHANGES’
Carnival Cruise Line has opted for subtle new features on its final Vista-class ship, Carnival Panorama. Rather than wholesale changes like on other ships,
Panorama’s new features include the Heroes Tribute Bar, which is designed to appeal to military veterans, trampoline park Sky Zone and onboard cooking school Carnival Kitchen. I don’t think
Carnival has missed a trick by not going all out with eye- catching features.
It knows what appeals to customers. And besides, incoming XL-class ship Mardi Gras will be delivered nine months from now, which is another opportunity to amaze passengers with new features. Panorama is sailing out of Long Beach in a bid to wow the
US West Coast. Some agents expressed reservations about itineraries
operating along the Mexican Riveria, which has not always been a lucrative cruise destination compared with the Caribbean. However, I’d imagine the stunning Long Beach setting coupled with a new ship, the line’s first new build to be deployed in the port for 25 years, will ensure loyal customers flock to sail on the vessel. Harry Kemble
R
Carnival Panorama is welcomed into the Port of Long Beach
Lido Deck
12
19 DECEMBER 2019
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