Okay, parents and grandparents (like us), here’s the deal: Before you book that family cruise vacation, you might want to check which animated or cartoon character is the most popular with the little ones.
The changing strategies of the cruise-ship industry have become crystal-clear this year. Yesterday’s announcement that Royal Caribbean and Shrek are in the same playground is the second such alliance to be unveiled this year. DreamWorks is Royal Caribbean’s entertainment partner. Previously, Norwegian and Nickelodeon (Spongebob to the kids) announced they’ll be together on the Epic, the NCL mega ship that’s just a month away from its ceremonial arrival in New York.
All of which, of course, follows the trail blazed by Mickey Mouse, of Disney fame on Disney ships. Mickey and friends got into the cruise business in 1998 (Disney Magic) and 1999 (Disney Wonder), and will double its fleet within the next two years.
The timing of Royal Caribbean’s announcement is impeccable. The final Shrek movie (Shrek Forever After) just hit the theaters, and Shrekkies are likely to search for ways of maintaining their association with the lovable character, voiced by comedian Mike Myers.
They’ll have that chance on four Royal Caribbean monster ships, starting with the Allure of the Seas, the 5,400-passenger vessel that will arrive December. It’s a sister to the largest cruise ship around, Oasis of the Seas, the next ship to be adapted to incorporate DreamWorks and its cast of animated characters and entertainment.
Later, the appropriate modifications and enhancements will be made to two of Royal Caribbean’s next biggest ships: Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas.
It’s not all Shrek, of course. It’s all DreamWorks. That means Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung-Fu Panda.
You don’t have to understand all that. The kids will.
That’s it, we’re done.