Carnival Cruises: 'Carnival Legend' Sails Into Sydney, Australia

On Monday, Carnival Cruise Lines’ superliner 'Carnival Legend' arrived in Sydney… and it was spectacular. Josie's Juice was a guest aboard the incredible, majestic liner and the whole experience was breathtaking. With six year old twins in tow, it blew us away in every way. Our first time on such a super liner, and it won't be our last!

Kicking off Australia’s biggest ever cruise season, Sydney played host to the staging of a spectacular welcome to mark the maiden arrival of the latest ship to call Australia home - Carnival Cruise Lines’ superliner - Carnival Legend.

In keeping with its name, the 88,500 tonne ship enjoyed a legendary entry into the Harbour with the Australian Girls Choir performing a medley of well-known Australian tunes, along with the American and Australian national anthem and Australia’s unofficial anthem, Waltzing Matilda with 3,000 guests and crew singing along. It was nothing short of spectacular. Here's a fantastic clip to bring you right in the moment:

 

Jennifer Vandekreeke, Carnival Cruise Lines Vice President, Australia and New Zealand said, “The biggest chorus at sea was a truly fitting arrival for Australia’s newest ship as she sailed into the iconic Sydney Harbour and I was honoured to be part of the fun.”

Carnival Legend is the first international ship to arrive in Australia for the 2015 summer cruise season which will see a record flotilla of more than 35 different ships sailing in local waters, making more than 600 calls to Australian ports and injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy.

In a move which underlines the surging demand from Australians for cruise holidays, Carnival Legend is the second ship to be based in Australia by Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator.

Carnival Legend will sail on 22 cruises from Sydney over the next seven months, giving 55,000 Aussie families and couples a fun-packed holiday and injecting an estimated $20 million into the local economy.

With cruises starting from just $100 per day, Australians are choosing Carnival Cruise Lines holidays because the all-in cost covers not just comfortable accommodation but dining at a variety of different restaurants, live entertainment and 45 activities to see, do, taste and try, every day.

“Australians have shown a real affinity for Carnival Cruise Lines because we share a similar outlook on life – a passion for fun, new experiences and adventure. It’s because of this great fit that we decided it was time for an encore, bringing Carnival Legend out to join sister ship, Carnival Spirit,” added American-turned- Aussie, Jennifer Vandekreeke.

Before settling in her new home of Australia, Carnival Legend undertook a massive $47 million Aussification upgrade to ensure the ship was just right for this market, combining the best mix of award winning American innovations tailored to suit Australian tastes.

The ship was kitted out with the latest and greatest features including the jaw-dropping Green Thunder water-slide, the fastest and steepest water-slide at sea, bespoke menus, coffee and wine to meet Australian tastes.

The Green Thunder is something to see! It features in the clip above; here is a photo of it:

Carnival Legend will also boast a number of features and facilities never before seen in Australia, including a Bonsai Sushi restaurant (it looks fantastic!) and the Red Frog Pub with locally brewed ThirstyFrog Summer Ale.

For the kids, Hasbro, The Game Show, Seuss at Sea, and the Cherry on Top lolly shop are exclusively available in Australian waters on Carnival Legend. Families and adults alike can also find unlimited activities spanning 12 decks including a sports court, jogging track, two-deck fitness centre, more than 22 restaurants, bars and lounges and world class entertainment to name a few.

A little more about Carnival Cruise Lines: it's the largest cruise line in the world with over four and a half million guests travelling every year. Carnival Legend’s arrival will be the second ship in Carnival’s 24-strong fleet to be based in Australia, following Carnival Spirit’s arrival in October 2012. Aboard the Carnival Legend is 45 daily activities, from Zen to adrenalin - something for everyone, fulfilling whatever you need from a break.

Here are some more facts about the Carnival Legend:

• With a gross registered tonnage of 88,500 tons, Carnival Legend is equivalent in tonnage to 77 Manly ferries
• If tipped on her stern, the 293-metre long Carnival Legend would stretch more than 42 meters above the observation deck of Sydney Tower, the city’s tallest building 
• In a month 400kg or 48,000 coffees are consumed and the onboard baristas receive regular training from the Australian Coffee School to ensure every cup meets high Aussie standards 
• During an average week, Carnival Legend guests consume more than 3000 steaks, 2268kg of chicken and poultry, 442kg of salmon, 1500 tomatoes, 13,700 potatoes, 5320 bananas and 3000 apples. 
• At 12 decks high and three footy fields long, Carnival Legend features three pools, four restaurants, 16 bars and lounges and one crazy waterslide. 
• The ship was christened by British actress Dame Judi Dench in 2002 and originally sailed to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Panama Canal and the South Pacific 

Facts on cruising in Australia 

• Following 11 consecutive years of 20% annual growth on average, Australia is the world’s fastest growing cruise market 
• 2015 will be the biggest year ever for cruising with one million Australians to take a cruise in 2015 
• In 2012 – 2013, cruising generated nearly $3 billion in total economic activity including $1 billion in
  Sydney alone 

Here are some more epic shots from the day: