The Cartoon Network is officially headed to sea.
Media conglomerate Turner and cruise management company Oceanic Group have partnered up to introduce the Cartoon Network Wave ship in late 2018, home-porting from Singapore.
"A homegrown cruise project, Cartoon Network Wave heralds the start of a new vacation experience for cruise-goers in Asia where cruise travel meets personalised journeys through experiential story-telling," said Oceanic Group's Chief Executive Mr. Daniel Chui, in a press release.
"With Singapore's position as a cruise hub in Asia, we believe it is only fitting that we dive right in and ride the surging tide of this passenger cruise wave. Cartoon Network Wave will revolutionize cruise travel in the Asia-Pacific region and create and curate new cruise experiences for holidaymakers, cruise-goers, and generations of pop culture fans."
Turner already has international Cartoon Network-branded restaurants, theme parks, waterparks, planes and trains, but this will be the media group's first-ever cruise ship.
The fully-branded vessel will carry 2,000 guests across 11 passenger decks and feature character theming and experiences based on shows like "Adventure Time," "Ben 10," "The Powerpuff Girls" and "We Bare Bears."
The extensive level of immersion will permeate entertainment, activities, food and beverage, recreation features and retail.
Watching the video above reveals additional details such as private triplex suites with what looks to be a slide that extends outside the ship before returning to an indoor playroom. Other features include a Toonix Play & Learn Hub, and an additional rendering displays a Rope Adventure Park.
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The ship development has shades of Disney's initial foray into cruising with its characters on Premier Cruise Line's "The Big Red Boat" before introducing the Disney Cruise Line. In Turner's case, the existing ship to receive the Cartoon Network branding will be P&O Cruises Australia's current Pacific Jewel, which originally entered service as Princess Cruises' Crown Princess in 1990.
Still apparent in the renderings of the Cartoon Network Wave is Italian architect Renzo Piano's dolphin-inspired bulbous forecastle dome-curved lines that lend themselves perfectly to cartoons.
The collaboration between Turner and Oceanic Group was formalized at a recent signing ceremony. Chui believes it represents the latter company's dedication to Asia's booming cruise market.
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"The debut of Cartoon Network Wave as a new homegrown cruise product is a testament to the vitality of Singapore as Southeast Asia's leading cruise hub," said Mr. Yap Chin Siang, Assistant Chief Executive (Policy & Planning Group), Singapore Tourism Board.
"It will also augment Singapore's appeal as a top family destination by adding to the diversity of Singapore's line-up of offerings. We look forward to more family visitors coming from the region with Cartoon Network Wave's exciting deployment here."
Cartoon Network Wave will depart the Singapore Cruise Centre for thirteen destinations in the Asia Pacific region such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and Japan. Departure dates and specific itineraries will be revealed in the coming months.
"Turner is always looking at new ways to bring our characters to life - and Cartoon Network Wave will be their home on the high seas. The ship has the remarkable potential to offer our existing fans a truly unique immersive experience, as well as create new ones," added Mr. Ricky Ow, President of Turner Asia Pacific, in the release. "We couldn't be more excited by the partnership with Oceanic Group in jointly creating a world first."
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