Cruise line Ocean Village is to be phased out as Carnival UK reviews its brand portfolio. Starting in autumn 2009, the two cruise ships owned by Ocean Village will be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia brand. The first will be transferred in time for Christmas 2009 and the second a year later.
David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK said the move was about maximising profit: “In reviewing the most effective deployment of our ships, we have recognised the major growth potential in the Australian market and the profit opportunity which awaits. Clearly it is disappointing to wind down our Ocean Village operation which has been superbly created and delivered by an excellent management team, but we must recognise the need to maximise profit performance from our assets.”
Dingle went on to add that Ocean Village had done much to change the face of British cruising and assured that Carnival still has a big future in the cruise industry: “The arrival of new ships for P&O Cruises and Cunard in 2010 and the continuing development of Princess Cruises in Britain will ensure that Carnival UK continues its growth despite the redeployment of the Ocean Village vessels”.
