Carnival Spirit cruise ship heads to Sydney

Carnival Spirit cruise ship heads to Sydney

Cruise ship Carnival Spirit will be revamped to suit Australian passengers before arriving in its new home port of Sydney next year. The biggest physical alteration to the 10-deck ship will be an aquatic park with the steepest water slide at sea.

The 2124-passenger ship will be the first in the Carnival Cruise Line to be permanently based outside the US and will offer 8-12 day Pacific island cruises, 13-day itineraries to New Zealand and sailings from Melbourne.

Menus, entertainment and facilities will all be tailored to Australian cruisers, tipping will be abolished and Australian dollars will become the accepted currency on the ship.  The Carnival Spirit has more than 600 balcony cabins and interconnecting cabins designed for families.

Sydney-born Stu Dunn has been made cruise director for Australian itineraries and will oversee changes to onboard entertainment which will include the serving of local wine and beer in Carnival Spirit's 16 bars and lounges and Australian acts at The Punchliner comedy club.

Passengers will be able to sing up a storm at Superstar live band karaoke while taking advantage of the 10pm-3am babysitting service. A new adults-only area, Serenity, will open with a pool, spa, lounges and a bar. All cabins will be refitted with Australian power points and even the coffee will be changed to suit local tastes.

Carnival Spirit will begin year-round cruising from Sydney in October 2012.