Leasedrive VELO

Countrywide 'ship shape' for Carnival
18 November 2005

Countrywide Car and Van Rental, one of the largest short-term corporate vehicle rental distributors in the UK, has won the contract to service the vehicle rental requirements of all eligible crew working for Carnival UK, part of the largest and most popular cruise line in the world.  Carnival UK is the parent company of P&O Cruises, operators of Britain’s latest £200m superliner, Arcadia, which was launched on April 12 this year.

Roddy Graham, commercial director, said: “The contract to service the vehicle rental requirements of the crews of Carnival UK, including those working on-board Britain’s most modern and largest superliner, is a prestigious one.  Our ability to flexibly service their needs at short notice anywhere in the UK was of key importance and underlines our customer-focused approach.”

Nick Hartwell, strategic purchasing for Carnival UK commented: “It was important for us to appoint a supplier that offered an all-inclusive pricing policy as our crews tend to move from point to point, often at unsocial hours.  A transparent rate structure made the Countrywide offer a clear winner.”

Arcadia is the largest and most contemporary cruise ship ever built for Britain and is the latest in a long line of achievements for P&O Cruises.  A child-free ship, the 285-metre long Arcadia features an expansive spa with a thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool, a three-tier theatre, a 3,000 piece multi-million pound modern British art collection, 14 bars and six fine dining options including Arcadian Rhodes, a restaurant developed exclusively for P&O Cruises by renowned chef Gary Rhodes.  Carrying 1952 passengers and a complement of 880 crew, she sails to destinations in the Mediterranean, Atlantic Isles, Baltic, Norwegian Fjords, USA, Caribbean and Central America. 

Countrywide customers benefit from a special all-inclusive pricing policy including free unlimited mileage.  A single reservations number – 0871 271 8855 – covers both local or national vehicle rentals.  Deliveries can be arranged with as little as two hours’ notice.

P&O Cruises offer predominantly British passengers the most stylish and friendly holidays afloat with destinations including the Caribbean, South America, Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Round the World cruises.  P&O Cruises has been operating cruise ships for 160 years and combines innovation, professionalism and unrivalled experience on its fleet of five superliners.  Its latest superliner is Arcadia.

P&O Cruises are part of Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the largest and most popular cruise line in the world. 

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