Interactive 'FunHub' to Debut on New Carnival Dream

[UpstateCruizer]

Please forgive me if this has been shared already. My dh says he's in heaven now as he misses checking his sports scores while we cruise ....

 

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/qp/pr/_a/interactive-funhub-to-debut-on-new/rfid232581272

 

and the story:

 

"

Interactive 'FunHub' to Debut on New Carnival Dream

 

PR Newswire

Posted: 2009-07-16 10:56:00

 

 

 

MIAMI, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The new Carnival Dream will take seagoing technology to an entirely new level with the introduction of the FunHub, a comprehensive shipboard intranet portal featuring the cruise industry's first on-board social network, along with access to a wide variety of information on the ship's services, facilities and daily activities.

 

The 130,000-ton vessel, Carnival's largest ship, is set to debut Sept. 21.

 

Access to the FunHub will be available via 36 state-of-the-art stations located on decks 3, 4 and 5, including 12 within Ocean Plaza, Carnival Dream's spectacular indoor/outdoor cafe and entertainment venue.

 

The FunHub locations will provide guests with free and convenient access to an informative ship-specific intranet portal, and an exclusive shipboard social network, both of which will be available on a 24/7 basis. Guests may also access the sites via their personal laptops or via 10-inch netbooks which are available for rent and can be used anywhere on board.

 

Carnival Dream's on-board social network mirrors the experience one finds on other social networking sites. Guests can create a personal profile and use the application to meet and interact with others on board, send and receive private messages, create groups based on interests, and invite friends to attend shows or participate in on-board events. Guests can also create their own private or public discussion group, inviting others in their traveling party or friends they meet on board to participate.

 

Designed as a convenient resource for wide-ranging information specific to the Carnival Dream, the intranet portal details the ship's numerous on-board activities, including entertainment options, daily events and youth programs. Carnival Dream's extensive food and beverage offerings are showcased with sample menus, hours of operation and more. A filtering application is available to assist guests in planning their day.

 

The portal also includes weather updates for that day and the next port of call; the latest news and sports scores; biographies of key shipboard personnel; ship and cruise director announcements; fun, interactive polls; helpful three-dimensional ship maps, and a frequently asked questions section.

 

A year-long collaboration involving Carnival's hotel operations, marketing, IT and guest experience departments, the Carnival Dream's on-board social network and intranet portal are available on any guest computer or Wi-Fi enabled device free of charge.

 

"Carnival is the industry leader in cruise ship technology and social networking and the FunHub sets a new standard," said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival's executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. "The FunHub provides Carnival Dream guests with an exciting and convenient way to keep in touch, meet new friends and learn all about this spectacular addition to the 'Fun Ship' fleet," he added.

 

Internet access to sites outside the FunHub also is available through all FunHub locations. Netbooks are available free of charge when purchasing a special Internet package on board.

 

Cell phone service, along with bow-to-stern wireless access where guests can check e-mail and surf the Web from any shipboard location, including their staterooms, will be available, as well.

 

To showcase its newest and largest ship, Carnival has created a new micro-site at carnival.com/dream with exclusive images, video, interviews and blogs highlighting the ship's many on-board innovations and features.

 

The line's largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia), followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12.

 

From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, offering weeklong voyages to the eastern and western Caribbean.

 

Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Dream's various European and Caribbean departures. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

 

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

 

 

 

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Lines"

[frazzledrazzle16]

That sounds cool but I'm not sure if I would use it. One of the biggest perks of going on a cruise for me is getting away from all that stuff, the internet, cell phones, tv, etc. I'd rather be meeting people in the hot tub than social networking with them over a computer. :)

[serene56]

Sounds expensive

[jobster71]

It will be a great way to leave a message for each other on where you are and what are we doing next. specially we picked anytime dinning.

[falkcor]

there are some images of the interface if you check the carnival news story here: http://carnival-news.com/2009/07/16/interactive-%e2%80%98funhub%e2%80%99-to-debut-on-new-carnival-dream/

 

 

 

 

[UpstateCruizer]

Sounds expensive

 

It's free!! I won't be using it but my dh will be checking his sports scores I'm sure. I cruise to get away from it all too. This is part of the article I posted :

 

 

 

"A year-long collaboration involving Carnival's hotel operations, marketing, IT and guest experience departments, the Carnival Dream's on-board social network and intranet portal are available on any guest computer or Wi-Fi enabled device free of charge."

[UpstateCruizer]

there are some images of the interface if you check the carnival news story here: http://carnival-news.com/2009/07/16/interactive-%e2%80%98funhub%e2%80%99-to-debut-on-new-carnival-dream/

 

 

Thank you those were awesome to see! Earlier the link wouldn't open for me but it's great to have a sneak peak of what's ahead when we board the Dream next April :)

[navybaby1113]

So if I take my computer and use this, I won't have to pay for internet?

[frazzledrazzle16]

So if I take my computer and use this, I won't have to pay for internet?

 

Good question... maybe we'll have to ask John Heald this one. After hearing more about these hubs, they could be really useful to let family members know where you're going (thanks Jobster! :D)

[UpstateCruizer]

So if I take my computer and use this, I won't have to pay for internet?

 

 

Yes, you will have to pay for internet usage. You won't have to pay for any of the fun hub surfing you do and it will be limited to the content that Carnival has included with this. From the pictures Mark has included I'm wondering if we will have to set up log in accounts or if we can actually walk up to these stations and get information such as weather, sports scores etc.

[templed]

Love it... I see a tremendous amount of potential with this.

 

It would convince me to purchase an internet package for sure. Especially if it would make it easier to pass information along to my group.

[oceanseagle12]

You will not have to purchase internet access to use your computer. WIFI will provide a free link to the intranet- the fun hub stuff. To connect to the internet, you will have to pay like always. Basically, you won't have to worry about paying until/unless you connect to an outside site.

[templed]

Even better.