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Variety Of New Feature Added To Carnival Cruise Lines’ Internet Offerings
Carnival Liberty Departing Port Everglades Cruise Information Center Photo
Highlights Include Redesigned Carnival.com Web Site, Innovative New ‘CarnivalConnections.com' CarnivalConnections.com’ Social Networking/Group Planning Tool Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a variety of enhancements to its Internet offerings, revamping its popular carnival.com Web site and launching an innovative new social networking/group planning tool, "CarnivalConnections.com" – the first site of its kind in the cruise industry. "The Internet has become an indispensable tool for vacation research and planning, used by millions of people each day. The updated carnival.com site delivers enhanced functionality and more comprehensive overview of the ‘Fun Ship’ vacation experience. ‘CarnivalConnections.com’ enables guests to build lasting vacation memories with their family and friends and stay connected to fellow ‘Fun Ship’ enthusiasts using an innovative new social networking/group planning technology," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. Redesigned Carnival.com A host of new and expanded features have been incorporated into the revamped Carnival.com site, including an interactive destination map, destination "virtual tours," guest video testimonials, and a "close-to-home" cruise locator, along with a new "look and feel" mirroring the line’s current advertising campaign. The new destination "virtual tours" offer viewers an opportunity to get an "up close and personal" look at the many sites and attractions available at a variety of Caribbean, Mexican and Bahamian ports. With this helpful tool, guests can even preview select shore excursions offered in a specific region. There’s also a new interactive destination map where, with just a simple click of a button, visitors can navigate directly to various sub-regions and further explore the dozens of different itineraries featured on Carnival’s three- to 16-day cruises. Also new are video testimonials from guests who offer their opinions about their Carnival vacation experience, while a new "close-to-home" cruising page provides detailed information on the line’s embarkation ports, including 18 in North America and one in Italy. The site also reflects the mosaic theme currently employed in Carnival’s current "Million Moments of Fun" print advertising campaign, which depicts different aspects of a "Fun Ship" vacation with dramatic illustrations composed of thousands of smaller images. Rounding out the Web site enhancements are new photographs and content, along with easier-to-view deck plans of the "Fun Ship" fleet. Future plans include an enhanced meeting and incentive group planning section. New ‘CarnivalConnections.com’ On-Line Community "CarnivalConnections.com," the line’s new on-line community, was specifically created to bring family and friends together by helping them plan and manage their "Fun Ship" cruise. Using an innovative electronic invitation tool and insightful guest-written message boards and cruise reviews, the site provides users with a variety of helpful resources to select the "Fun Ship" vacation that matches their interests and lifestyles. Taking its cue from the recent trend of "togethering" – in which families and friends partake in fun, memorable activities to bring them closer together – the site’s customized "e-vites" can be tailored for family reunions, "girlfriend getaways," and a host of other groups. To use the interactive "e-vite" tool, the group coordinator simply selects the cruise of their choice – including ship name, departure point, cruise duration and itinerary – and then forwards the information via e-mail to friends and family members. Recipients can then respond with an RSVP or provide feedback on the cruise through private message boards. Members of the group can even "vote" or answer poll questions on the different aspects of the voyage. The site’s interactive features can also be used by travel agents as an electronic group marketing tool to attract or retain their client base. "CarnivalConnections.com" also features real-time message boards where registered users can ask questions, post responses and offer feedback about a past or future "Fun Ship" cruise to other on-line community members. There’s also a section where users can post longer length ship reviews containing detailed information on their recent Carnival vacation. Carnival has worked in collaboration with Avenue A | Razorfish, the largest interactive marketing services and technology firm, since 2001 on its various Web site initiatives. Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with a fleet of 21 "Fun Ships" operating three- to 16-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda and Europe. The line will expand its fleet with the launch of three new SuperLiners – the 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom in February 2007 and an as-yet-unnamed 112,000-ton vessel and an as-yet-unnamed 130,000-ton ship – the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed – in spring 2008 and fall 2009, respectively. For additional information on Carnival Cruise Lines, please visit their website at Carnival.com
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