Carnival Cruise Lines to base first ship in Australia

By: Johanna JainchillJanuary 12, 2011

Carnival Cruise Lines will base its first ship in Australia in 2012, 

with the 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit operating year-round from Sydney.

At a press conference in Sydney on Tuesday, Carnival said that 

the Spirit will arrive in Sydney in October 2012.

Carnival said the move "reflects growing confidence in cruising

 in the region."

As one of the largest ships in the regions, the 2,667-passenger

 Carnival Spirit will be the first cruise ship based in Sydney 

year-round that will be too tall to sail under the 

Sydney Harbour Bridge, the line said.

Carnival will aim to market cruises to Australians and New Zealanders, 

with a shipboard experience tailored to the Australian market

 and onboard spending in Australian dollars. 

There will be no tipping required.

However, Carnival’s strong brand recognition in the U.S. will play 

a role in attracting U.S. customers, said Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia.

The Spirit will be the seventh Carnival Corp. ship sailing 

year-round from Australia by the end of 2012, along with

 ships from P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, the company said.

"It is amazing growth considering there were just two ships 

based in Australia year round in 2007," stated Sherry. 

"This really underscores Sydney’s position on the world 

cruise map and our resolve to keep growing the market 

with multiple brands that appeal to customers."

The Spirit’s year-round schedule of 8- to 12-day cruises to the 

Pacific Islands and some 13-day sailings to New Zealand will 

begin October 25, 2012. The cruises are expected to go on 

sale by the middle of this year.

The Spirit’s move is another blow to Southern California, 

where the Spirit will operate between San Diego and Los Angeles 

during the 2011-12 winter season.