By
Cherie Rowlands |
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is offering the first VIP sports-themed cruises, featuring televised games in collaboration with ESPN International Maritime Networks during February 2013.
Two cruises featuring football on RCI's Jewel of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, will be televising the NFL championship and offering guests the chance to meet the ‘greats’ of American football, as ESPN introduces the themed events under the ESPNatSEA brand, across a variety of lines.
RCI corporate incentive and charter sales director Lori Cassidy said: “Royal Caribbean is very pleased to be the host of the two launch events for ESPNatSEA. ESPN and Royal Caribbean have a long history of supporting each other as partners in televised sporting events – for example ESPN International is a sponsor of the Royal 5K running events.”
The line's first cruise includes five nights on board Jewel of the Seas and is aimed at fans of female football, highlighting the increasing popularity and success of the women’s game. Departing from Tampa on 2 February 2013, the journey includes Key West in Florida and Cozumel in Mexico. On the same date, Oasis of the Seas will be departing on a seven-night round trip from Fort Lauderdale, calling at Labadee in Falmouth, Jamaica and Cozumel in Mexico.
In addition to the live network sports-viewing cruise VIP events, featuring current and former athletes, ESPNatSEA is creating a series of initiatives that will include international cheerleaders, dance teams and 'super fan' costume parties.
“We are excited to offer a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for sports fans who rely on us to bring them live events, the latest news and behind-the-scenes information, no matter where they are,” said ESPN Caribbean and Maritime Media VP Bernard Stewart. “From private VIP cocktail receptions with sport celebrities, to behind-the-scenes participation in the production of popular ESPN International programmes, our cruises will provide a variety of live televised events and sports-themed activities to expand the maritime ESPN experience.”