As the CEO and President of Dr. Seuss, Susan Brandt has been on over 15 Carnival cruises , and knows a thing or two about hitting the high seas as a family. Since 1998, she's been at the helm of the company's expansion from books to films, television, stage productions, theme parks , as well as Carnival's Seuss at Sea program.
The much-loved program, which was first launched in Sydney aboard Carnival Splendor, is celebrating ten years. 9Travel caught up with Susan about her travels around the world during that time. READ MORE: There's so much more than just whales at Australia's whale-watching capital "I have been very fortunate to be able to travel the world for Dr.
Seuss and experience how fans around the world embrace our characters and stories," Susan tells us. "I have so many wonderful memories including seeing families come dressed in their ugly Grinch sweaters for a Grinchmas in July sailing, to walking into a bookstore in Romania and seeing our Oh, the Places You'll G o in Romanian, to visiting South Korea and seeing the kids watching our The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That TV program. "It's a testament to our universal themes, messages and stories which translate across cultures.
" READ MORE: The ultimate winter travel guide to Hobart Susan's love of cruising has been a decade in the making, but it all began on a trip with her son. "I took my youngest son on a Caribbean cruise out of Miami on Carnival Sunshine. My son, who was about nine at that time, had had the good fortune to travel extensively with us as a family, but never on a cruise.
"On the last night on the ship I asked him, 'Are you ready to get off the ship?' and he said, 'No Mum, this was the best vacation of my life!'." For families thinking about heading a cruise, Susan says to "bring the extended family". "There's something for everyone and it's an amazing way to create memories, from kids, to parents, to grandparents.
Plus, having grandparents or aunts and uncles to help look after the little ones is a bonus," she says. "There's also so much included in the fare when you book a Carnival cruise so it really is a great value holiday for the family." Over the past decade, the Seuss at Sea program has grown to include appearances from a variety of Dr.
Seuss' beloved characters, like Thing 1 & Thing 2, The Cat in The Hat and Fox in Socks. There are also special onboard activities, including Grinchmas in July – a special celebration tailored for Australian cruisers. "Coming from the US, Australia's Christmas in July festivities are a novelty to me," Susan, who travelled to Sydney this year to join in the celebrations.
says. "Who wouldn't want to experience all the festive fun of Christmas twice a year?! My highlight from the cruise was dancing with green glowsticks at the Grinchmas green deck party. The kids (and maybe me too) were having a blast.
" As for what remains on her travel bucket list? "Personally I would like to travel throughout Latin America. I have not spent much time in that wonderful part of the world filled with countries with rich histories, diverse cultures, delicious cuisines and beautiful people. "Plus, Dr.
Seuss is currently expanding our presence in Latin America so it would be amazing to see how the launch performs.".
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