Carnival Corp. will debut another cruise-related TV program
in January, the first to air in Spanish and the first to appear in prime time.
"La Gran Sopresa," will debut on Sunday, Jan. 7 and
hold the 8-9 p.m. Eastern time slot on the Univision network.
The series surprises a number of
families as they sail aboard ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises
and Holland America Line -- three Carnival Corp. cruise brands -- to
destinations including Cozumel (Mexico), Mahogany Bay (Honduras) and Half Moon
Cay (Bahamas).
"La Gran Sorpresa" (The Great Surprise) uses the
power of travel to reunite families as they overcome hardships created by
illness, separation and other challenges.
The one-hour program is hosted by TV personality Poncho de
Anda, who will be joined for the first six episodes by several other
personalities known to Hispanic audiences, including Univision Deportes' Karina
Banda; "Despierta America's" Franscisca Lachapel and Maity Interiano;
and Ligia Uriarte of Univision's primetime dramedy, "Mi Marido Tiene
Familia."
John Padgett, Carnival Corp.'s chief experience and innovation officer, said the show will help fuel demand for cruising "within a
burgeoning demographic that inherently values everything cruise vacations
represent -- family, friends, culture and fun."
"La Gran Sorpresa" is the seventh Ocean Original
series created by Carnival Corp. and the fifth to appear on network or cable TV
in the U.S.