Carnival Gets Its Buzz Back

As managing director, Canada and International Sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, Justin French has certainly seen his share of ups and downs – but most recently he sees the cruise line sailing high once again, reports assistant editor, Greg Coates in this week’s issue of Canadian Travel Press.

So high in fact that YouGov’s BrandIndex recently ranked Carnival Cruise Lines as the most improved US brand in terms of consumer perception, or “buzz,” in its mid-year 2014 Buzz Rankings Report.

This is due to a lot of hard work and initiatives designed to win back consumer confidence, not only in Carnival, but the cruise industry in general.

French says there are three key factors that have put Carnival back in smooth waters – great value, a great product and a unique “no hassle” Great Vacation Guarantee, which he described as the “greatest sales tool known to man from an agency perspective.”

Carnival is the only cruise line to offer such a program that provides a 110% refund, complimentary transportation home and a $100 shipboard credit for a future cruise if guests are dissatisfied with their cruise for any reason within 24 hours of departure.

“What have you got to lose?” asks French.

Carnival hosts nearly 4.5 million satisfied guests each year and French notes the Vacation Guarantee, which can even be used in the case of a family emergency, has only been used a handful of times.

The Great Vacation Guarantee is valid on all three- to eight-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Canada and New England departing through April 30, 2015.

Throughout the second half of 2013 and in 2014, Carnival has initiated a number of new programs that have resonated positively in the marketplace.

For the full story, check out this week’s digital edition of Canadian Travel Press by clicking here.