RCI to announce major entertainment alliance

[Aquahound]

IMO this is nothing more than RCI trying to steal some of the thunder from NCL's association with Spongebob.

 

I assume you are not aware Sponge Bob was on RCI before NCL picked him up.

[Jerseyboy1]

I assume you are not aware Sponge Bob was on RCI before NCL picked him up.

 

Yeah I remember that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was for a few select sailings if I recall. This is a three year deal between NCL and Nick sorry to say.:(

 

Furthermore, Spongebob and the other stupid characters also are to play a part in the entertainment provided on the Epic. You know that "ugly" ship a lot of people are talking about that is set to sail in a few short weeks.

 

I stand by my statement. RCI was not going to let NCL get into this silly character arrangement without any competition (excluding Disney obviously).

 

Yes, stealing thunder is one way to put it. Strategic marketing is another. RCI (as any company with a good marketing department would) is doing anything they can to deflect attention from NCL's launch of the Epic as well as the Spongebob crap. And no I don't think that they are worried about NCL at all, just being smart in their business sense.

 

But, like it or not, the launch of a new ship is big news in the cruise industry and people will be interested to see what happens with the Epic. I personally think the focus will be off of Oasis for at least a little while and RCI is doing what any company would do and that is pump up their own product.

 

I mean just look at the banner ads on CC already "The Dreamworks Experience Only On Royal Caribbean".:eek:

 

You know, I've sailed both lines and like each product for different reasons and hold neither one up over the other. In fact, they both provide for DW and I a fine cruise experience.:cool:

 

Just my opinion....all characters suck no matter what ship they're on.

[Aquahound]

Yeah I remember that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was for a few select sailings if I recall. This is a three year deal between NCL and Nick sorry to say.:(

 

Yea, it was a special Nickelodean cruise on the Mariner, then Freedom when Mariner moved.

 

Just a hunch...maybe these two lines are trying to compete with Funship Freddy. Rather than making it obvious and creating a cruise line mascot, they are using another well-known character.

[Jerseyboy1]

Just a hunch...maybe these two lines are trying to compete with Funship Freddy. Rather than making it obvious and creating a cruise line mascot, they are using another well-known character.

 

Yeah it's all kind of blending together now isn't it. :eek:

 

Anyway, I'm not totally against the idea. I see why they are doing this, I just would prefer not having characters on any ship even if it doesn't interfere with my vacation. Yeah we would probably be considered old timers (late 40's, 50's) with no kids and that has a lot to do with it.

 

Even so, we still hope to one day experience both the Oasis and Epic at some point, characters or not.:)

[elephant98]

Lol. I would probably have to do the same thing and jack up his jaw if he grabbed me. "Isn't a cruise ship big enough to accommodate both?" Well of course it is. Especially the Oasis and soon the Allure. When I took my Disney Cruise the Characters were never an issue for my sister and I. And I don't expect to see any characters in the casino either (my escape). But to those who go on a cruise to get away from children in general, beware, you may find yourself seeking refuse in Schooners or the solarium. Seriously, I think RCCL must have put a lot of thought into this addition and will carefully balance the venues where the characters will appear.

 

I agree with you. My wife and I sailed on Disney Cruise Line twice without any kids and had a terrific time. The Disney Cruise Line ships are total Disney immersion -- from production shows, to game shows, to trivia, to stateroom television, to movies, to decorations, to characters. And, yet, there were still plenty of adults-only things to do on the Disney ship to get away from the kiddies. And, the characters were not at all intrusive. The characters appeared at set times, in desginated public spaces, throughout the day. On formal night, you could get your taken picture with Mickey . . . or, just get a picture of yourself and your loved one(s).

 

Also, at something like 85,000 tons, the Disney ships are more mid-size by today's standards. Whereas, the Oasis/Allure weigh in at a whopping 220,000 tons. So, there are a lot more space for Dreamworks related things to take place, without intruding on anyone. Not to mention the RCCL ships have casinos, which Disney does not.

 

RCCL already has promenade parades with nice generic "floats" and staff members dressed up in sort of garb. Making the parade Dreamworks themed and including characters and different "floats" is no big deal. Only one level of main dining room is typically open for breakfast. So, as long as RCCL puts the character breakfast on another floor, I don't see those being intrusive to anyone. We already have to avoid the dreaded disembarkation photo at all of the ports, typically with somebody dressed up as a pirate/dolphin/whatever. So, making one of them a Dreamworks character is no real difference. And, as long as RCCL runs the photo-ops with its characters like Disney does (see above), they won't get in anybody's way. The hottest thing going in theaters right now is 3-D movies. And, animated movies typically have the best 3-D imagery. So, I think that having old a new Dreamworks 3-D movies onboard is a total upgrade. I don't see a downside to that. As for the Dreamworks themed aqua show and ice show, I guess it depends on whether the Dreamworks shows will replace an existing show, or be additional shows on top of what is already being offered. Hopefully, they will be additionals show.

 

All in all, I think that the additions will be positive, and not at all intrusive, if executed wisely.

[bonnie&clydecruzers]

All in all, I think that the additions will be positive, and not at all intrusive, if executed wisely.

 

That's a BIG if! I think they need to have designated areas and designated times for the mascots and not just running loose all over the ship.

[bplazo]

Well, if the cruiseline is doing more family orientated venues than it would only be fair that they also have more adult only areas for people without children. Then everyone would be happy.

[bonnie&clydecruzers]

Well, if the cruiseline is doing more family orientated venues than it would only be fair that they also have more adult only areas for people without children. Then everyone would be happy.

 

I think thats a fair trade-off.

[Aquahound]

That's a BIG if! I think they need to have designated areas and designated times for the mascots and not just running loose all over the ship.

 

Doesn't Carnival have a mascot on all their ships? What's the difference?

[compman9]

I think most posting here are missing the point.

 

RCI has two giant ships on two relatively dull itineraries to fill.

 

The easiest way to do this is attract a family custom base.

 

Hopefully, the youthful characters will not impinge on the miseryguts among you, and you can get on and enjoy the rest of the facilities on board, not to mention; Chicago, which is surely the best show any cruise ship has had.

 

Oh, and who doesn't love those penguins in Madagascar? :D