Starboard Cruise Services has unveiled a lively array of retail experiences aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon, which kicked off an inaugural summer schedule from New York last month. The ship features the most expansive retail space among Carnival’s fleet and showcases some of Starboard and Carnival’s most celebrated brand partnerships, such as the renowned Le Vian jewelry line.
Starboard also has orchestrated a host of firsts on a Carnival ship, including the line’s first Victoria’s Secret boutique and a high-profile presence for prestigious brands such as Breitling, Hublot, Rebecca Minkoff, Michael Kors and Kate Spade.
Committed to take Carnival’s retail offerings to the next level, Starboard worked closely with Carnival’s leadership team to deliver a new retail reality at sea paired with highly personalized service that guests have come to expect of the brand. Product offerings span fashion & accessories, beauty & fragrance, spirits, watches, jewelry and more. USA Today cited Carnival Horizon’s shops as “one of top six things to love about the newest ship.”
“Carnival is all about celebration and fun. The Carnival Horizon retail experience is custom-designed to elicit the same excitement from shopping on board that guests get from all the other wonderful activities on the ship. In keeping with Carnival’s tagline of ‘Choose Fun,’ we say ‘Shop Fun’,” explains Starboard Cruise Services President and CEO Beth Neumann. “At Starboard, we sell memories, not just merchandise. We inspire guests to purchase items that will forever remind them of the joy of their vacation through innovative experiences, entertaining events and an assortment of exceptional brands.”
The breathtaking design of The Fun Shops on Carnival Horizon features a two-level shopping promenade rimming the ship’s atrium on decks 4 and 5, with branded shops boasting the largest and most varied offerings in the fleet. Highly personable and trained sales associates treat guests to exceptional service and bring brands to life through a series of immersive activations including:
Victoria’s Secret Girls Night Out: What could be more fun than a night out with the girls in Carnival’s first-ever Victoria’s Secret boutique? Guests can browse the latest assortment of merchandise and fragrances while sipping champagne and swaying to the beat. They might have the chance to compete in a runway face-off or spin the wheel for fab prizes!
Beauty and Fragrance Bar: Guests are invited to experiment and “play” with make-up and fragrance and walk away with some new favorites… and maybe even a whole new look.
Le Vian Style Me Famous Fashion Event: Inspired by the Le Vian jewelry brand’s reputation for outfitting popular celebrities for the red carpet, this event gives guests the full treatment as they’re styled with signature jewelry pieces and pose for fun photo-ops. Guests will receive a Le Vian gemstone with the option to upgrade to a piece that complements their style.
What’s Your Jewelry Personality? This shopping event helps guests discover which gemstone best matches their spirit and personality while perusing a stunning collection of jewelry.
Rock Envy with Crystals from Swarovski®: Guests can custom-design the perfect jewelry keepsake of their cruise using a huge selection of charms, bracelets, necklaces, rings and watches. Rock Envy with Crystals from Swarovski® is exclusively available on board select Carnival ships.
Wearable Tech: Experts are on hand to help guests discover a variety of watch styles with multi-functionalities in Carnival’s first store entirely devoted to wearable tech.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Life: Everything for the sharp-dressed man: a fine watch, the perfect pair of sunglasses, a sophisticated fragrance and a signature whiskey. Hang out with the coolest cruisers at this ultimate guy’s guide to style.
Happier Hour Daily Tastings: So much more than just “Happy!” Sample some of the world’s top liquors, including coveted Hennessy White, which is only available in travel retail. Take the blind taste test and challenge your taste buds — and perhaps discover a new favorite?
“Carnival Horizon represents our most significant commitment to retail offerings on any Carnival ship,” said William Butler, vice president of retail services, Carnival Cruise Line. “In partnership with Starboard Cruise Services, we created the right atmosphere and introduced the right merchandise assortment and experiences for our brand and guests. The retail environment is designed to further enhance our guests’ vacation experience and we look forward to celebrating many special occasions with an incredible assortment of merchandise. I’m very pleased with the ‘Shop Fun’ concepts we have created with our partners at Starboard.”
As part of a multi-year agreement, Starboard now operates retail services on nine Carnival ships including Carnival Horizon.
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