FORT LAUDERDALE -- Carnival Corp. brought high energy to Travel Weekly's CruiseWorld on Wednesday with an interactive game show, during which travel advisors won prizes and learned fun facts about the company's brands.
Carnival Corp. presented the game following an address by CEO Josh Weinstein. The categories were the company's five brands in North America: Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess and Seabourn. Carnival cruise director Mike Pack was the host.
Pack read out multiple-choice questions. And every advisor in the audience could play, using their phones. Advisors had to select the correct answer as quick as they could -- the fastest player would get to pick the next category and dollar amount.
The brands' presidents were on stage behind podiums, reading the correct answer after the responses came in: Christine Duffy for Carnival, Katie McAlister for Cunard, John Padgett for Princess and Gus Antorcha for Holland America Line (he also read Seabourn's answers).
Pack kicked things off with Princess for $200. "The Sun Princess won the 2024 Conde Nast Reader's Choice Award in this category."
Travel advisor "Jess" was fastest with the correct answer of "What is best megaship of the year," and she was asked to select the next category. She shouted, "Princess for $1,000," and Padgett promptly informed Jess that she had won a cruise on the Sun Princess with her selection of the $1,000 question.
After that, the free cruises fell quickly, with the $1,000 questions selected in succession for the other brands. Later during the game, advisors compiling the highest total scores also won prizes.
Here's a sampling of more questions and answers during the game:
- Each year Seabourn serves two tons of this indulgent, luxury food item. Answer: Caviar.
- Carnival hosts more of these guests than any other cruise line. Answer: Military members and families.
- In 2025, Cunard will launch roundtrip Caribbean itineraries from this U.S. port. Answer: Miami.
- This Holland America Line amenity package offers guests shore excursions, drinks, specialty dining and WiFi. Answer: Have It All, which is a commissionable product that Antorcha called "the best upsell you can offer your clients."
- This ship-within-a-ship concept recently debuted on the Sun Princess. Answer: The Sanctuary Collection.
- This Cunard ship is the world's only ocean liner still in service, sailing transatlantic crossings. Answer: The Queen Mary 2.
- It will be the first Sphere-class ship to sail Alaska cruises. Answer: The Star Princess, in 2026.
- It's Seabourn's resource for travel advisors, offering insider's knowledge and tips for attracting affluent clients? Answer: Seabourn Academy.
- This demographic makes up almost half of Carnival Corp.'s guests: Answer: Millennials.
- Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy recently did this to support hurricane relief. Answer: skydiving from a plane. Duffy said $175,000 was raised, with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation matching funds. Duffy also gave a shout-out to Cruise Planners for that company's donation.