Virtual Reality Cruise Experience Launches

Feb 28, 2016

What:
AT&T, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Carnival Corporation & Plc have teamed up to offer a virtual-reality cruise experience. The 360-degree content is first-of-its-kind, exclusively developed by Carnival and its 10 global cruise line brands. As of Feb. 19, customers can be transported to a tropical locale via the Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus, at 133 AT&T stores across 37 states.

Why It Matters:
Cruising vacations are growing in popularity, even outpacing land-based trips by a 23 percent margin, according to Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. But there are still a plethora of potential clients who haven’t cruised, or who might assume it’s not the type of vacation for them. Encourage them to demo the Gear VR experience — it might convince them that some sunshine and an ocean breeze is all they need. And you know just how to help.

Fast Facts:
- Samsung Gear VR provides an untethered, fully immersive experience with 360-degree content for a high-quality mobile virtual-reality experience. The Gear VR headset, which works with Samsung’s Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5, offers a library of games, apps, photos and videos.

- The virtual-reality content highlights decks, staterooms, entertainment venues and other features of Carnival’s vessels, including those from company brands such as Holland America Line (HAL), Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line brands, as well as beach and excursion offerings in Barcelona, Mexico and other popular destinations.

- Consumers can enter a sweepstakes to win one of 10 seven-day cruises on HAL, Princess and Carnival Cruise Lines brands by trialing the virtual-reality experience and signing up via an in-store tablet or by visiting www.vrcruisewlcl.com. The sweepstakes is available from Feb. 19 to Mar. 11.

- If a customer purchases one of Samsung’s GS6, GS6 Edge, GS6 Edge+ or Note 5 smartphones at one of the 133 AT&T locations offering the promotion (during the time period of the promotion), they will be eligible for onboard credit for a future cruise. The credit will be valid within the next year on select Carnival Corporation brands.

What They Are Saying:
“Globally, the growing popularity of cruising vacations is far outpacing land-based vacations, by a 23 percent margin,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation & Plc. “But there are still many people who have not had a chance to enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience we provide with one of our 10 cruise line brands. With most of the U.S. dealing with winter weather, the timing for this launch is designed to give people a fully immersive look at why cruising is a great vacation — and helps remind them to think about going on a cruise when planning their next vacation.”