Earlier today, Carnival Cruise Lines achieved a historic social media milestone, becoming the first cruise line to reach one million fans on its Facebook page .
The unprecedented achievement underscores the site’s tremendous popularity, as well as the company’s commitment to utilizing Facebook as a fan engagement tool, with nearly 300,000 fans “liking” Carnival over the past two months alone.
Carnival was among the first cruise lines to recognize the power of social media when it launched its Facebook fan page in 2007 and the company continually enhances consumers’ on-line experience, adding a host of new features and functionalities.
Facebook also played a key role in the May 1 introduction of the new Carnival Magic, culminating in an innovative day-long social media event that chronicled the ship’s launch and naming through a series of 11 videos, providing viewers with a front-row seat to the festivities.
The page also serves as the venue for fun promotions and contests such as the current Fun-A-Thon sweepstakes awarding 24 prizes in 24 hours, including a free Carnival Magic cruise. Also featured are interactive weekly polls, exclusive videos, and links to the line’s popular YouTube, Twitter and Flickr pages and more.
But most of all, Carnival’s Facebook fan page provides the ideal venue for the line’s spirited fans to interact with the brand and share their own thoughts and experiences with fellow “Fun Ship” enthusiasts.
"Facebook is so much more than just a social media tool to share company news and information. It is a terrific way to engage our fans with us and with each other in fun, entertaining and interactive ways that capture the essence and spirit of the Carnival brand,” said Jim Berra, Carnival’s chief marketing officer. “I would like to extend a tremendous thank you to our one million fans as we celebrate this exciting milestone for our company,” he added.