Click aboard — Carnival Cruise Lines is expecting you.
The Miami-based cruise ship operator has launched FunShipIsland.com, a site that allows potential vacationers to virtually experience many onboard and off-ship activities.
The site, created by Avenue A/Razorfish, takes users into a virtual world where they can do things like shoot down the Twister Waterslide, ride in a Rhino 4×4 Jeep, gamble in a casino, relax in a spa or swim with dolphins.
The idea behind the site is simple, says Christine Arnholt, Carnival's vice president of marketing services, in a statement. “These days more travelers are turning to the Internet to research their vacation options. FunShipIsland.com makes the process fun and engaging for travelers, instead of simply providing them with pricing, itinerary details and a virtual ship tour with photos.”
While visitors interact at FunShipIsland.com, their answers to a few quick, optional questions and individual preferences are gathered, creating a basis for a cruise recommendation.
This is all well and good, but we're surprised that the one part of the cruise experience all our high-seas friends have raved about isn't represented. Where's the virtual round-the-clock buffet?
And of course, a virtual wafer-thin mint wouldn't hurt.
