NCL Cruises partners with Nickelodeon and SpongeBob SquarePants
First it was P&O Cruises with Noddy and Mr Bump and now we see NCL Cruises partnering with Nickelodeon and their kids favourite - SpongeBob SquarePants..!!
Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with Nickelodeon to put Nickelodeon-themed entertainment and programming on two NCL ships, including their newest ship the Norwegian Epic, which will enter service in July 2010, following a series events including a presentation to the UK travel trade in Southampton in June.
This partnership is due to start in April on the Norwegian Jewel and then will follow on in the summer on the Norwegian Epic, Nickelodeon will offer character breakfasts, Nickelodeon-themed interactive shows and poolside entertainment. Nickelodeon-themed elements will also be incorporated into NCL’s Kids' Crew program.
The three-year partnership also includes Nickelodeon-themed cruises that will feature Nickelodeon TV stars, show premieres and continuous themed entertainment, NCL said.
"Nickelodeon is an incredible family brand that is well-known to kids and parents of all ages," NCL CEO Kevin Sheehan said in a statement.
The popular children's TV network has delved into cruising before. Nickelodeon chartered Royal Caribbean International's 4,300-passenger Freedom of the Seas for a Nickelodeon-themed cruise tagged as "a seven-day sun, surf and slime vacation."
This is Nickelodeon's first year-round programming partnership with a cruise line.
"At a time when families are seeking special travel experiences, we see an opportunity to build on the success of our previous Nickelodeon cruises to create a unique family cruise vacation experience with Norwegian Cruise Line," stated Howard Smith, executive vice president of Nickelodeon Recreation.
"By partnering with Norwegian, we are now able to offer families Nickelodeon entertainment and programming at sea all year long."
Phil's comment: I love it when cruise lines take into account their family market, after all this is their future cruise client. For NCL an American cruise line, SpongeBob SquarePants and in particular Nickelodeon is now a firm favourite in almost all UK households and this partnership, I believe, is well chosen and I am sure will appeal to their global market.
If you want details of cruise offers onboard both the Epic and the Jewel, please call my team at The Cruise Village on 01253 341014 or visit our website www.thecruisevillage.com
This is a cruise blog entry by Phil
