Andrea Zelinski
On its next Excel-class ship, Carnival will virtually transport travelers to destinations while they dine, drink and people-watch on the seas.
Called The Gateway, the zone is a new space for Carnival, and it is being introduced on the Carnival Celebration, which is due out in November.
Guests will encounter a two-story throwback to the grand terminals that served as hubs for travelers. The muscle behind the Gateway is its transformative powers. With high-definition multimedia "virtual windows," Carnival wants guests to feel a new experience every time they enter the zone on decks 6 and 7, with drinks and dining complementing each night's new theme.
During the day, a dozen 9.5-by-5-foot screens that look like windows might show a sunny sky, a Carnival blimp floating by, or hot air balloons off in the distance. Those "windows" will transform at night to one of several themes, like "Abroad in Europe," "Far East Voyage" and "Mexico Lindo."
A large digital map in The Gateway will display the locations of Carnival's ships around the world in real time. Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
Food and drink will be paired to match these nightly themes. On Mexico Lindo night, the windows will show a journey through ancient Mayan cities, beaches, jungles or towns while guests sip on margaritas and palomas or taste agave spirits.
Other images Carnival plans to display include fireworks, the Eiffel Tower, the Milky Way and -- during Christmastime -- a silhouette of Santa Claus and his flying reindeer.
The Gateway looks like a supersized version of the Atlas Bar on the Azamara Onward. That space shields guests from the natural outdoors while three screens display images of faraway lands. Live musical performances are piped through the speakers while guests sip hand-crafted cocktails and dine on small bites.
The Gateway will also introduce a travel-inspired bar concept. Called Latitudes, the bar is meant to resemble a classic airport or train station.
Carnival is going so far as to introduce a mechanical split-flap word display reminiscent of classic departure board. It will flick new words to life on a black panel as metal sheets clack forward or backward to display menu offerings and support the day's theme. The bar itself will serve cocktails, spirits and wines from destinations around the world.
Emeril's Bistro 1397 will have a larger menu than the Emeril's restaurant on the Mardi Gras. Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
That's not the only bar in The Gateway: the Golden Jubilee bar and lounge will feature artwork, memorabilia and original blueprints from Carnival's earlier vessels.
The space will also feature Emeril Lagasse's second restaurant on a Carnival ship, called Emeril's Bistro 1397. The first Emeril restaurant was introduced on the Carnival Mardi Gras; the restaurant in The Gateway will have a larger menu with international cuisines and flavors.
Another visual attraction in The Gateway will be a large digital map displaying the locations of Carnival's ships around the world in real time.