A cruise is an excellent way to spend a family vacation. Most parents enjoy spending time with their children’s favorite characters on board. This makes the trip much more memorable and enjoyable.
Let us tell you about one such Cruise that Nickelodeon started. It was known for its fun-filled family experiences.
In this post, we will tell you all about the cruise and why it came to a halt!!
Is There A Nickelodeon Cruise To Enjoy With Family 2023?
The bad news is that the opportunity to cruise with Spongebob and the others was only available for a few years and is no longer available, but worry not; we will go through all of the greatest Nickelodeon cruise options you can still book in 2023.
All About Nickelodeon Cruise Line
What Was The Norwegian Cruise Line?
Between 2010 and 2015, Norwegian Cruise Line showed Nickelodeon characters on board their ships. These NCL cruises allowed guests to meet, greet, and engage with their favorite Nickelodeon characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Patrick Star.
Nickelodeon’s Partnership With NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line announced in 2010 that it would collaborate with Nickelodeon to provide themed programs and activities onboard certain cruise ships all year. Character welcomes, themed breakfasts dubbed Pyjama Jam, the morning meal, poolside parties, and Nickelodeon-inspired arts and crafts were among the Nickelodeon-themed activities.
Norwegian Breakaway was the first ship in Norwegian’s fleet to showcase the new Nickelodeon-themed excursions. It was the right occasion for the collaboration to debut as the newest ship in Norwegian’s fleet.
What Made It So Special For The Families?
In addition to interactive activities and character meet and greets, children could splash about with Spongebob and Sandy at Norwegian’s onboard Kid Aqua Park.
Families were allowed to Dance With Dora and indulge in other themed activities throughout their voyage. Families also attended special-themed brunches, where Spongebob and his pals would sing and dance throughout the meal.
Why Did Nickelodeon Enter Into A Partnership?
Partnerships with cruise lines are widespread to enrich their onboard experience with unprecedented experiences, particularly for youth programs.
Royal Caribbean, for example, collaborates with Dreamworks, allowing children to meet Shrek and other characters. Similarly, Carnival Cruise Line collaborated with Dr Seuss to provide youngsters with a Green Eggs and Ham-themed brunch with character meet and greets.
It is still not uncommon for businesses to work together to provide a wholesome family experience.
How Many Cruises Did Nickelodeon Cruise Lines Offer?
Norwegian Breakaway was the first ship to provide Nickelodeon-themed activities on its cruises. It was the newest ship in the fleet at the time, so it seemed natural to begin a new collaboration with it.
Several NCL ships featured Nickelodeon partnership experiences throughout the next five years.
The following ships sailed with Nickelodeon-themed entertainment:
- Norwegian Epic
- Norwegian Gem
- Norwegian Jewel
- Norwegian Getaway
- Norwegian Breakaway
Norwegian Escape was under production at the time the arrangement with Nickelodeon expired, and the intended Nickelodeon branding was withdrawn before her appearance.
Norwegian Getaway was the Fourth ship in the cruise line’s fleet to provide Nickelodeon experiences on all of its sailings throughout the year.
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Is The Nickelodeon’s Cruise Still Open?
The Nickelodeon cruise is no longer in operation. Norwegian Cruise Line and Nickelodeon’s parent company, Viacom, collaborated on the Nickelodeon cruise.
The collaboration lasted five years, from 2010 to 2015. The contract was not extended, and the Nickelodeon branding quickly phased out.
The Nickelodeon cruises used to offer character meet and greets and the opportunity to splash about in the kids’ aqua park with Spongebob and other characters. All that unfortunately came to a grinding halt!!
Why Did The Partnership End?
Nickelodeon chose to go a different path. Therefore, the collaboration was terminated. At approximately the same time, they launched a new relationship with Karisma Hotel and Resorts. This was done to collaborate on developing new Caribbean resorts, including an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana.
The Norwegian Cruises reported that the relationship was successful, with a 20% improvement in visitor satisfaction with its youth activities. Nickelodeon also had a successful exit in this short voyage!!
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Alternatives To A Nickelodeon Cruise:
You cannot book a Nickelodeon cruise at this time. But it doesn’t mean you (or your children) have to miss out on all the fun
Some Nickelodeon Offerings
Nickelodeon Resorts
There are now two resorts, one in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and one in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Character meet and greets, including Paw Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, are available at these premium resorts.
There are also several fantastic water parks with Nickelodeon character theming throughout. Families can vividly enjoy colored splash parks featuring water slides.
But it’s not just about the children. Adults can also unwind with an all-inclusive stay and indulge at the spa and fitness facility, while children can have fun at the Club Nick Kids Club.
Nickelodeon Theme Parks
Universal Studios Florida is one of the largest and most significant theme parks in the world, including a Character Party Zone featuring beloved Nickelodeon characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick or Squidward, Dora the Explorer, Diego, Boots, or Baby Jaguar.
- The Mall of America in Minnesota has various brightly colored themed rides. There are some fantastic rides here, and all your favorite characters will appear.
- Another Nickelodeon Universe is found in the American Dream in New Jersey.
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Cruise Lines For Families
Disney Cruise Line
If you want to cruise with characters, a Disney Cruise is undoubtedly the finest option.
The journey is loaded with Disney charm from a diverse cast of favorite characters.
Disney Cruises include incredible live events and character meet-and-greets with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Disney Princesses around the ship. There are themed parties, deck parties, and fireworks displays to keep guests amused.
P & O Cruises
P&O voyages has collaborated with Aardman to bring Wallace, Gromit, and Shaun the Sheep.
The characters appear at a welcome on-board celebration, and there are particular character appearances for children’s dancing classes. You will also like that they offer a clay studio where you can make your characters.
There is a story time with the characters and related arts and crafts activities such as building a character mask, Gromit ears, or your own rocket. A 30-minute stage play starring Wallace and Gromit is also available.
Peppa Pig On Costa Cruises
If your child is a huge Peppa Pig fan, Costa Cruises has you covered. Children are invited to meet Peppa as soon as they board, and the kids club recreates the ambiance and location of the program.
The centerpiece is the on-deck swimming pool, which depicts Grandpa Pig’s boat. There are also Peppa Pig-themed games like coloring, puzzles, and treasure hunts, as well as Peppa’s Pirate Party at the disco in the evening.
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Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, the Nickelodeon Cruise is no longer available. It lasted a few years; people adored it, and then it vanished. Unfortunately, there are only a few decent possibilities for cruises featuring popular children’s characters. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying holidays!!