US. Carnival Corp, the world’s largest cruise company, and Orizonia Corp, Spain’s largest travel company, have finalised an agreement for a multi-ship cruise brand serving the Spanish market.
The transaction is expected to close on 14 September 2007, with Carnival owning 75% of the joint venture and Orizonia owning 25%.
To be called Iberocruceros, the new joint venture combines the two vessels of Orizonia’s cruise operations with a ship from the Carnival group.
Commenting on the deal, Carnival Corp Chairman and CEO Micky Arison said: “The new Iberocruceros joint venture will build upon the tremendous brand awareness of Orizonia’s Iberojet operations – one of Spain’s leading vacation companies – while providing a solid platform for expanding in the fast-growing European marketplace.”
In addition to Orizonia’s 1,244-passenger Grand Mistral and 834-passenger Grand Voyager, the 1,486-passenger Celebration from Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet, will be transferred to the new Iberocruceros company. After an extensive renovation, the Celebration is scheduled to enter service in late Spring 2008.
Alfredo Serrano, currently General Manager of the Iberojet fleet, has been appointed General Manager of Iberocruceros, which will be headquartered in Madrid.
The three Iberocruceros ships will fly the Italian flag. Itineraries for these vessels will be announced shortly, Carnival said.
About Carnival Corp
Carnival Corp, the largest cruise group in the world, has a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprising Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.
Together, these brands operate 82 ships totalling 154,000 lower berths with 17 new ships scheduled to enter service between December 2007 and June 2011. Carnival also operates Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon.
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