The Carnival Group Cruises' multibrand account includes P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village and Cunard.
The decision ends a six-year relationship with incumbent Starcom. Vizeum also successfully pitched against Omnicom's Rocket in the final stages and a late submission from WPP's Mindshare.
Aegis Media sibling Carat was dropped at an earlier stage of the review, handled by Fairbrother Lenz Eley, while Starcom contends it was still in the running until the last gasp.
A spokesman for Carnival Group Cruises confirmed the appointment, but would not comment further.
The process was led by Philip Price, head of brand marketing at P&O Cruises, and completes a wider review of all Carnival suppliers, which has also seen the reappointment of its creative agency of record Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy.
According to Nielsen, the multibrand account, which includes cruises to more than 90 destinations, spent more than £10.4m on above-the-line advertising last year, and a further £1.1m on direct mail activity.
Traditional ad spend, coupled with digital activity, is expected to increase to £12m in 2009.
.jpg)
.jpg)