Nickelodeon and Royal Caribbean International announced plans to once again set sail together on two brand-new, exotic cruise adventures in summer 2009. Based on the success of the first-ever, sold out Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean, the two companies are teaming up to offer families new cruises from each U.S. coast — one on Mariner of the Seas to the Western Mexican Rivera, and another on the Freedom of the Seas to the Eastern Caribbean. The announcement was made just after the completion of the first-ever Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean (Aug. 10-17).
“The first Nickelodeon cruise was a homerun,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group. “Populated by Nickelodeon families eager to spend time together, the combination of Royal Caribbean’s expertise and the Nick brand experience set the stage for next year. Our plan is to add a second cruise in 2009 and build on the great event we created this year with our partners at Royal Caribbean.”
“Coming off the success of the first Nickelodeon cruise this past week, we’re thrilled to build upon our relationship with the announcement of two additional themed cruises,” said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Royal Caribbean International constantly works to give our guest unparalleled vacation experiences which provide every family member with a very special and memorable cruise. Our partnership with Nickelodeon helps build upon this foundation.”
The 2009 Nickelodeon Family Cruises will depart from the East and West coasts: the first cruise will sail from Los Angeles, Calif. on July 26, 2009, on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, the largest ship to be homeported on the West Coast, and will travel to the exotic Mexican Rivera (exact locations to be determined); the Eastern Caribbean itinerary will leave on Aug. 9, 2009 from Port Canaveral, Fla., on the largest ship in the cruise industry — the Freedom of the Seas — and will sail to St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay, Bahamas.
The Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean brings families experiences that are unique to the cruise industry. Traveling to exotic destinations, the Nickelodeon Family Cruise is designed for every member of the family–kids, parents and grandparents. It brings together the entertainment expertise of Nickelodeon with the cruise specialists, Royal Caribbean. On-board, Nickelodeon will provide families with such experiences as interactive game shows; meet-and-greets and performances by their favorite Nickelodeon stars; never-before-seen screenings and premieres of new, original Nick TV shows and movies; visits with favorite Nick characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Diego and Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender; and plenty of Nickelodeon’s signature slime.
On the two new cruises, families will enjoy all of the luxurious accommodations that Royal Caribbean cruise liners offer. Mariner of the Seas offers guests revolutionary amenities, such as an on-board ice-skating rink, full-size basketball court, inline skating track, the cruise line’ iconic rock-climbing wall and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of shops, restaurants, bars and lounges that runs nearly the length of the ship. Freedom of the Seas, the largest ship in the world, also offers a multitude of activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, an ice skating rink, a nine-hole mini-golf course, 10-route rock-climbing wall, as well as the line’s other signature amenities.
Vacation packages for each Nickelodeon Family Cruise go on-sale to the public beginning in mid-September. Additionally, in 2009, a new sales program for travel agents will be implemented. Visit http://www.nickfamilycruise.com for more information and reservations.
