CARNIVAL

Carnival Cruise Line is the world’s largest cruise corporation – and the most fun. 2022 marked Carnival’s monumental 50th birthday. Their team set out for the largest birthday celebration the company could imagine. They built a massive 1,130-foot ship, the Carnival Celebration, that can accommodate over 5,000 guests across 18 decks. The coolest area on board the Celebration is The Gateway, and it is home to the first Split Flap at sea.

The Oat Foundry Split Flap display found its permanent vacation spot above Latitudes, the transit-inspired bar. They originally specified a static sign. When the experience team discovered Oat Foundry’s Split Flap, they realized it could have a starring role as part of the dynamic performance that happens every evening at the bar. The board rotates through messages about the ship, schedules, and current happenings. It also connects to the audio-visual experience throughout the space. Each nightly show has a theme to teleport the guests into different locations and cultures around the world. The Split Flap pairs with custom software that helps tie it into the space’s MIDI feature – a tool that synchronizes the audio and visuals.

One of the experiences is a journey through time from the far past to the far future with Split Flap guiding the way. The windows show immersive visuals, making The Gateway feel like a massive time machine. The audio creates an IMAX atmosphere, except this time you’re a part of the story. The 4 Row and 64 Column sign flips to different messages to pinpoint the millennium through which you are traveling.

Our CEO had the opportunity to see it in action on opening night. “I was blown away,” said Oat Foundry CEO, Mark Kuhn. “The way the New Builds and Entertainment teams timed the iconic Split Flap with the MIDI system for open mic night songs and for the traveling-through-time show –people were just mesmerized.” 28 " x 185 "