As new partnerships and agreements continue to evolve in the cruise industry, they bring new dimensions of “land to sea.” And Carnival Cruise Lines’ recent announcements take that to new, fun levels. They just signed an agreement with Cigar City Brewing, and also announced an exclusive, multi-year partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, making them the Official Cruise Line of this legendary NFL franchise. Carnival’s strong commitment with the Texas market, which includes repositioning the Carnival Freedom there starting February 2015, all ties in well.
Carnival’s exclusive agreement with Cigar City Brewing
The popularity of craft beers throughout the US has been rapidly growing and has also evolved on ships. When the Carnival Magic entered service in 2011, for instance, she included the first pub on a Carnival Cruise Line ship, The Red Frog Pub, along with a private label-draught beer, ThirstyFrog Red. This private label-draught beer was such a hit that Carnival began offering it on their other ships.
Joe Burns, National Sales Manager, Cigar City Brewing and Edward Allen, Carnival Cruise Lines – New Partnership (Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)
And now Carnival Cruise Lines just entered into an exclusive agreement with Tampa based Cigar City Brewing, which was announced at a special event held on July 13 aboard the Carnival Legend. Cigar City Brewing’s Invasion Pale Ale and their Cracker Belgian-Style White Ale are going to be available on 13 of Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships.
These include the Carnival ships sailing on three to eight day Mexico, Bahamas, and Caribbean cruises departing from 5 different Florida ports – Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
More about the 2 special craft beers and packaging
Cigar City Brewing Ales onboard (Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)
The two craft beers offered on Carnival’s 13 ships include Invasion Pale Ale which is gold in color, and Florida Cracker Belgian-Style White, named for the colonial-era “Cracker” cowboys of Florida.
Although most US craft breweries package their beers in glass bottles, Cigar City instead packages most of their beverages in aluminum cans. Where this fits in well on board ships? Cans are shatterproof and allowed where bottles aren’t, including poolside. They chill faster, and with new cans being made from recycled aluminum, they substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Carnival’s New Exclusive Partnership with the Dallas Cowboys
Carnival Cruise Lines is the Texas’ largest cruise operator, and the recent July 24 announcement of the multi-year exclusive partnership with the Dallas Cowboys takes that to new levels. As the Official Cruise Line of the Dallas Cowboys, Carnival Cruise Lines is now going to offer new fun experiences, which will range from activities, and giveaways, to social media promotions. The Carnival brand will be highly visible on digital marquees in the stadium, and for home games will have some new fan experiences for tailgaters.
Carnival Freedom repositions to Galveston in February 2015
Carnival Freedom (Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)
The Carnival Freedom recently underwent an extensive multi-million dollar makeover, is going to be based in Galveston starting February 2015 where she’ll be offering seven day Caribbean Cruises.
Starting February 21, 2014 her seven day Caribbean itineraries from Galveston will include Eastern Caribbean sailings including Key West,Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas, as well as Western Caribbean voyages with stops at Cozumel; George Town, Grand Cayman and Montego Bay, Jamaica. She’ll also have an Exotic Western Caribbean itinerary that includes Cozumel; Belize and Mahogany Bay, Roatan.
Carnival Freedom will also offer a series of four and five day cruises from October 24 through November 21, 2015 as well as January 16, 2016 through February 13, 2016.
Carnival Freedom’s Makeover
Water slide onboard Carnival Freedom (Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)
Carnival Freedom went through her multi-million dollar makeover earlier this spring, where a variety of entertainment, bar and dining innovations were added, part of Carnival’s Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement initiatives. A few of the dining and bar enhancements included adding Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, EA SPORTS Bar, Alchemy Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar and RedFrog Pub. Hasbro, The Game Show lets guests be “part of the show,” and Playlist Productions has added new music reviews and shows. The Carnival Freedom also now offers the first ever Bookville family reading venue, Dr. Seuss Bookville, part of the Seuss at Sea program, a partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Fits for Groups
With diverse options and itineraries sailing from a variety of easily accessible departure ports, including Texas, Carnival Cruise Lines does continue to offer more options for groups.
