PHOTO: Nickelodeon's famous slime and characters will no longer be found on Norwegian Cruise Line ships. (Archive photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Say farewell to Nickelodeon characters and slime on Norwegian Cruise Line ships.
Norwegian sent an email to travel agents on July 1 saying its agreement with Nickelodeon to provide Nick-themed entertainment aboard select ships will end later this year.
The Nickelodeon entertainment will end on Norwegian Epic as of October and on the remaining four ships beginning in January 2016. It also will not appear on the new Norwegian Escape, which is due out in November.
The partnership launched in 2010 and included Nickelodeon-branded shows, opportunities to meet characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, the Nickelodeon Pajama Jam Breakfast, Dora's Dance Party, Story Time with Dora, and Nickelodeon arts and crafts.
The email did not say why the agreement was ending, and a press statement from Norwegian did shed any additional light. But the news comes just a few weeks after ground was broken on the Nickelodeon Punta Cana Resort on the Dominican Republic, the result of a partnership between Karisma Hotels & Resorts and Nickelodeon parent Viacom International Media Networks. Nick-themed programming also will launch this summer at Karisma's three Azul hotels on Mexico's Riviera Maya.
Norwegian said it is continuing to elevate its family programs.
"We are always looking at new ways to further enhance the onboard experience and bring new ideas to our guests," said the email, signed by Norwegian President and COO Andy Stuart. "As we continue making significant investments to further elevate our family programming and entertainment, such as our new Guppies Nursery and expanded sports deck on Norwegian Escape, our family offerings will continue getting even better.
Norwegian said it has seen a 20 percent improvement in guest satisfaction with its complimentary youth programs - Splash Academy for kids and Entourage for teens - since they were redesigned in 2012.
"We're proud to say there's something for everyone around every corner of our ships, from circus school and scavenger hunts to themed events and parties," Stuart said.
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