Engaging customers with new and exciting destinations aboard new and luxurious ships is a major part of attaining brand loyalty at Carnival Cruise Line.
Part of that demand creation is the excitement around the much anticipated delivery of AIDAprima, according to Carnival Cruise Line CEO Arnold Donald.
“She is well worth the wait,” Donald said during the company’s March 30 first quarter earnings call, according to Seeking Alpha. “The ship is absolutely fantastic, the first of a next generation platform for AIDA that combines leading edge environmental attributes and well-designed features that foster an exceptional guest experience. All of her features, whether racing waterslides, a lazy river, multiple climbing walls an expensive German spa, an ice rink for skating, for hockey, for curling, and even a traditional Christmas market, together create an experience that truly resonates with AIDA’s nearly exclusively German guest.”
What’s more, Donald noted additional opportunity for demand and creation with the delivery of Holland America’s new flagship Koningsdam.
“Koningsdam was designed with our Holland America guests in mind and to reintroduce Holland America for those who have yet to experience our award-winning service, our five-star dining, our extensive enrichment program, and compelling worldwide itineraries,” he said. “Our new flagship will offer fine dining and several alternative restaurants, including a new French seafood brasserie and a new immersive upon the table dinner experience in the culinary art center. Part of enhancing an already great Holland America guest experience includes taking onboard entertainment to a whole new level. We have carefully engineered a Music Walk area which showcases different genres while offering Chamber Music in Lincoln Center Stage, rocking the crowd with chart topping hits and Billboard on board, and bringing the best of Memphis music to sea in our popular B.B. King’s Blues Club.”
Destinations are often a powerful tool for demand creation as well, Donald explained.
“Last week, we made history when we became the first U.S. cruise operator in over 50 years to receive Cuban approval to bring U.S. cruise guests directly from the U.S. to Cuba,” he said. “We made worldwide news showcasing cruises in a very positive light with nearly five billion media impressions and still counting. We very much look forward to launching our historic Cuba inaugural season in May with Fathom, initially with itineraries including Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. We believe there is no better way to experience so much of Cuba in seven days that with an enriching guest experience on our premium fathom brand.”