The characters of "Shrek," "Madagascar," and "Kung Fu Panda" will hit the high seas this fall under a new partnership between Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation.
The alliance, announced this morning at CLIA's Cruise3sixty conference in Vancouver, will be DreamWorks Animation SKG’s first with a cruise line. The studio is famous for family-friendly films such as the Shrek series and, most recently, the 3D-movie "How to Train Your Dragon."
Royal Caribbean said Dreamworks’ films and their characters would be incorporated into Royal Caribbean’s entertainment, including new shows and activities, starting in first quarter 2011. The partners have a three-year deal with an option to renew for two or more years.
"DreamWorks Animation and Royal Caribbean are both innovative companies who at the core are in the business of entertaining," DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said in a statement. "Together we can raise the bar by delivering the next generation of premium entertainment at sea."
The Allure of the Seas, set to debut in December, will be the first ship to have DreamWorks' characters and films. Royal Caribbean will then roll out DreamWorks features to the Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein said in a statement, "We are constantly striving to offer dynamic and engaging programming onboard our ships and couldn’t think of a better brand than DreamWorks Animation to help take it to the next level."
DreamWorks movie characters will be be part of special events, parades and character meals; DreamWorks films will be shown on 3D screens in the ships' theaters; and Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean program will offer activities rooted in DreamWorks movies.
The Allure of the Seas' outdoor AquaTheater will introduce an aquatic show featuring the DreamWorks cast of characters doing acrobatics and high-diving stunts. The ship’s ice-skating venue will feature an icde show with characters from "How to Train Your Dragon."
Royal Caribbean said that none of the DreamWorks experiences on its ships would cost extra.