Cruising News Magazine Cruising News June 2018 | Page 32

Carnival Unveils Miami Fleet Operations Centre
Carnival Cruise Line has previewed its new Fleet Operations Centre ( FOC ) in Miami , the largest and most advanced in the cruise industry . The 35,000-squarefoot facility is custom-designed for hands-on , around-the-clock monitoring and support of the line ' s 26 cruise ships . The Carnival Cruise Line FOC is the first facility of its kind in South Florida and features a state-of-the-art tracking and data-analysis platform that enables real-time information sharing between Carnival ships and specialized shoreside teams designed to support fleet
Multi-Million Pound Makeover
Independence of the Seas arrived at her new home in Southampton , amped up with all new experiences and boasting even more extraordinary features after her amazing , family-focused multi-million pound makeover .
Dubbed ‘ the ultimate family ship ’, Independence of the Seas has an array of stunning new features to delight kids and adults alike . For the first time ever , guests can hop into the Sky Pad , an outof-this-world new virtual reality bungee trampoline experience , and splash away their days at interactive aqua park , Splashaway Bay , which is bigger and better than ever before .
The reimagined ship also includes a host of other new features :
• The Perfect Storm , a duo of racing waterslides called Cyclone and Typhoon .
• Glow-in-the-dark laser tag , an experience in Studio B unlike any other , where friends and family can operations . It was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony and interactive demonstration of its most innovative new high-tech features , which is anchored by a 74-foot-long video wall , composed of 57 LED screens . The high-definition wall displays the status of all ships , including weather , itinerary updates , safety , engine and environmental updates . Additionally the status of ports , ships logistics , guest operations and a host of other functions are also monitored .
" In designing the FOC , we combined best practices from the military , government and industry to achieve a generational leap in facility design , sophisticated technology and utilization , creating the largest and most advanced fleet operations centres in the industry ," said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy . " Nothing is more important than the safety of our
team up to play “ Battle for Planet Z ”.
• Puzzle Break , a new escape room experience where competitors can put their minds to the test , working together to find hidden clues and solve a series of high-tech riddles to unravel a mystery . With only 60 minutes of play , the excitement builds with each tick of the clock- ( extra cost applies ).
• Breathtakingly beautiful new lounges and Panoramic Oceanview staterooms adds an extra bit of extraordinary to Independence . With stunning wall-to-wall , floor-to-ceiling views , guests can soak up the feeling of standing on the bridge of the ship and watching the sunset over the coastline , all from the privacy of their own stateroom .
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade , enables sports fans to enjoy all the biggest live sporting events over icecold beers , wings , sliders and more . guests and crew , and this new facility enhances our already comprehensive approach to safety and operational excellence ."
Carnival built custom tools for use and integration into the FOC , such as the proprietary software applications " Neptune " and " Argos ." Developed in-house , Argos is an always-awake knowledge management tool which harnesses information from thousands of data points and overlays rules-based decision making , predictive alerting and queuing into one visual dashboard .
The result is at-a-glance situational awareness across the fleet which significantly improves communication from ship to shore , enhances safe passage of ships , improves operational efficiencies and supports overall environmental initiatives .
• Izumi Hibachi & Sushi , the exotic Asian-inspired dining experience gives guests the chance to enjoy fresh sushi and experience skilled chefs cooking tableside on teppanyaki grills .
• Fish & Ships , a poolside eatery where guests can grab quintessentially British seaside treats .
• Sugar Beach candy shop , a wondrous world of delicious delights , along with a few exciting surprises .
Guests were welcomed onboard for her first new sailing on 15 May 2018 when the ship embarked on a two-night cruise to Paris from Southampton . Following her inaugural sailing , Independence of the Seas is calling at destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean until November 2018 .
Independence spans 15 decks , encompasses 154,407 gross registered tons , carries 3,858 guests at double occupancy and features 1,929 staterooms .
State-Of-The-Art Duty Free Shopping
Carnival Cruise Line has announced the Asia Pacific follows the success of an launch of a new state-of-the-art duty existing partnership between the two free store available on Carnival Spirit , on brands in the US with similar experiences Australian cruises , from 25 June , 2018 . onboard Carnival Fantasy , Carnival
It is the result of a new partnership
Liberty and Carnival Ecstasy .
between Carnival Cruise Line and Heinemann has been a master Heinemann Asia Pacific , a subsidiary of concessionaire at Sydney Kingsford Gebr . Heinemann . The partnership will Smith International Airport since 2015 , deliver an ideal mix of local and global with the brand building a strong brands such as Seafolly , Quay Australia , reputation with Australian travellers . Swarovski , Swatch , Lacoste and Clinique Using consumer insights , Heinemann to Carnival ' s Australian guests . The move has carefully curated duty free offerings into the Australian market by Heinemann for the Aussie cruising market with a
particular focus on cosmetics , liquor and local brands . Carnival Spirit has undergone a two-week dry dock in Singapore and received new family friendly entertainment features offering new spaces for kids and teens activities onboard , in addition to this new duty free experience . The ship returns to her home port of Sydney on 25 June , 2018 and will resume year-round departures from Australia .
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