Winter Blues? Take a Virtual Cruise
02/23/2016 03:38AM ● By Family Features
For many people, the middle of winter makes tropical breezes and beaches something to daydream about – but not any longer. Thanks to Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest leisure travel company, people can melt away the winter blues by checking out a high-tech virtual reality cruise experience that immerses visitors into a vacation filled with sunshine, beaches and exotic ports of call.
It may be the next best thing to going on a real cruise – and is designed to inspire people to consider going on a cruise for their next vacation. People can also register to win a free seven-day cruise vacation.
The virtual reality cruise experience is now available through a partnership between Carnival Corporation – with 10 cruise line brands, including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line – AT&T and Samsung.
Through March 11, consumers can go to select AT&T stores across 37 states to check out a virtual reality cruise experience, where they will be transported on a warm and sunny cruise vacation.
Utilizing the Samsung Gear VR headset, the display showcases decks, staterooms, entertainment venues and other features on ships from Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line brands, as well as beach and excursion offerings in Barcelona, Mexico and other popular destinations throughout the world.
“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. “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 has become so popular as a great vacation at an exceptional value.”
Consumers will also be able to enter a sweepstakes to win one of 10 seven-day cruises on Carnival’s Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line brands by checking out the VR experience and signing up in store or by visiting vrcruisewlcl.com through March 11.
In addition to experiencing the VR cruising simulator, any customer purchasing Samsung’s GS6, GS6 Edge, GS6 Edge+ or Note 5 smartphones at select AT&T locations during the promotion will be eligible for onboard credit for a future Carnival Corporation cruise.
