Last week, Duolingo and Carnival Cruise Line announced the collab the world didn’t know it needed: a five-year cruise spanning 195 countries and all seven continents, designed to be a culturally immersive language-learning experience. Shared on Carnival and Duolingo’s Instagram pages on April 1, the too-good-to-be-true cruise is unfortunately, just that. But the well-played April Fools’ Day marketing stunt proved to be a hit on social media.
The best cruise that never was
Even though the cruise is fake, that didn’t stop Duolingo and Carnival from going all out. As Emmanuel Orssaud, CMO of Duolingo, previously stated about the company’s April Fools’ pranks:
“My favorite part of the exercise is that the sky is seriously the limit. No idea is off the table. We can go crazier than we would for a normal campaign because, ultimately, it’s pretend… all we have to do is make a fun commercial for it.”
As part of the stunt, the brands posted a 90-second video ad to showcase the cruise’s unique features, starring a set of twins, a shorts-sporting captain, and an ingénue, à la The Suite Life on Deck. Offerings include “interactive game nights” and “Duo on Ice: The Multilingual Musical,” where, according to Carnival, you can “Sing along to all your favorite songs like ‘Spanish or Vanish’ and ‘French or the Trench’, and ‘Japanese or Broken Knees.’” Duo on Ice appears to be a homage to the app’s 2024 April Fools’ Day stunt, when it announced the production of a four-hour “skate dancing extravaganza.”
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But, as the commercial and the fine print on Carnival’s webpage point out, the cruise is less like a vacation and more like an isolated boarding school where you’re forced – er, encouraged – to complete your daily lessons or be cast into the sea. As the webpage declares: “You will not regret it… Or maybe you will.”
Plus, when users visit the cruise’s FAQ page, they’re met with a series of sarcastic questions and responses, such as:
“Can I leave the ship early?
Absolutely not. Please see Terms & Conditions, pg. 312: No Refunds, No Regrets.Can I bring my own snacks?
You may bring one (1) personal snack item. Choose wisely.Are the zip-lines safe?
Statistically, yes. However, participants must sign a waiver acknowledging that all physical activity carries inherent risk. Let’s be honest, nothing in life is without risk. Stop being a coward and do the zip-line.What if I don’t enjoy my excursion?
While unfortunate, this provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on your decision-making skills.”
This hilarious discloser can also be found at the bottom:
“By boarding this vessel, passengers agree to a five-year commitment at sea with zero exceptions. Carnival and Duolingo are not responsible for any emotional, linguistic, or spiritual adjustments required to acclimate to this experience. Refunds are not available under any circumstances. Duo’s ‘motivational tactics’ are considered an essential component of language acquisition and cannot be opted out of. Passengers also waive the right to pursue legal action against Carnival or Duolingo, including participation in any class-action lawsuits filed by Menchetti & Sons LLC., a law firm with a history of unfounded litigation against companies providing ‘transformative’ experiences. Any legal concerns will be handled exclusively by Legal Steve, Duolingo’s Chief of Legal Counsel, who has pioneered the ‘litigation loop’ strategy, ensuring that all claims are met with immediate counterclaims until the original complaint is forgotten.”
Fake cruise, real deals
If immersive language experiences, ice dances, and five years of being watched by a bird teacher on the high seas sounds like your thing, you’re out of luck. Those hoping to book the Duolingo cruise will be met with the following pop-up:
Source: Carnival Cruise Line
However, the Duolingo one-month free trial and discounted Carnival cruise rates are not April Fools’ jokes, and can be claimed via the Carnival landing page. Tragically, the hideous merch featured in the ad is also a reality…
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