Carnival Cruise Line has launched a brand new onboard app that cruise passengers can take full advantage of for free.
The new app debuts on the cruise lines latest vessel the Carnival Magic. the app features an innovative “chat” feature that allows guests to exchange messages with their traveling companions using their mobile devices throughout the voyage but for this feature it will cost $5 for the entire cruise.
“Consumers expect a high level of connectivity even while on vacation and these new enhancements provide our guests not only with helpful tools for getting the most out of their cruise but also a convenient and cost-effective way for keeping in touch with their family and friends while on board,” said Gus Antorcha, Carnival’s senior vice president of guest commerce. “We recognize the increasingly important role that technology plays in people’s daily lives and the launch of this application and new Internet packages provides us with a strong platform for introducing additional innovations and ways to use technology to enhance our guest experience even further.”
The app is called “Carnival Hub” and is currently being tested on the Carnival Breeze. Passengers will be able to get more details about the ships facilities including searchable deck plans and a comprehensive layout of the ship’s various on-board offerings. One of the best features about the Carnival Hub is guests are able to find out whats going on around the ship with a daily schedule of onboard activities, shows and events. This will be similar to the “Fun times” that all ships in the fleet already have but an online version. Passengers can also see what their companions are up to using the “Favorites” feature.
Carnival Hub also offers real-time information about the guests Sail 7 Sign Account, Itinerary details with arrival and departure times and finally options on many dining venues around the ship. If you’ve got a Windows Phone then bad luck because for now Carnival’s new app is only available for iPhone and Android but the Miami based cruise line will be adding new features in the future and it will constantly be evolving. Some new features to look forward to is the ability to purchase shore excursions, view photos taken by the ship’s professional photographers on board, and more.
In addition to the new Carnival Hub App Carnival is piloting an improved internet service onboard the Carnival Freedom, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine. A new Social media package is included in this where guests can use services like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Pinterest for a flat fee of $5 per day or $25 per voyage during the initial testing period.
“In creating both the Internet plans and the app, we spent a lot of time listening to our guests to understand their needs and develop these products accordingly,” said Gabriela Gonzalez, Carnival’s vice president of guest technology and photo. “While we trusted the plans and the app would be well received, we are stunned by how quickly and widely they have been embraced during the pilot period. We’re excited to bring these innovations to more ships over the coming months while we continue to work to make them even better,” she added.
Guests can also upgrade to a “value” package that includes unlimited access to the Web for checking email, sports scores, weather updates and a wide range of other applications. There’s also a “premium” package that provides the fastest available connection speed allowing guests to access video calling sites like Skype. The mobile app and enhanced Internet packages will roll out to additional ships following successful completion of the initial pilot programs. Additional features and functionality are also in development and will be phased in over time.
