Carnival Cruise Lines Partners With Big Brands

Carnival Cruise Lines announced a new $500 million Fun Ship 2.0 program that will transform its cruise experience with a wide variety of new offerings. As part of this initiative, Carnival is partnering with major brands and high profile celebrities to provide cutting-edge dining, entertainment and more.

The multi-year program will bring about exciting changes fleet-wide, and will create new experiences and spaces for guests to explore. The bottom line: expect Carnival to be rolling out more fun than ever before.

According to President and CEO Gerry Cahill, "Fun Ship 2.0 is the largest and most ambitious initiative that our company has ever undertaken." Some of the most exciting news involves entertainment, always a high point for Carnival. As part of a partnership with comedian George Lopez, the popular television star will taking over the direction of Carnival's The Punchliner Comedy Club, Carnival's signature entertainment space. As Carnival's "curator of comedy," Lopez will help hire comedy talent, advise on decor, and enhance the club's entertainment experience. The newly revamped clubs will begin rolling out across the Carnival fleet over the next year. In addition, guests will be able to enjoy a new Punchliner Comedy Brunch with live entertainment in the ships' main dining room.

Another big brand coming onboard with Carnival is Hasbro. As part of their new partnership, Carnival will be creating "Hasbro, The Game Show" - a new series of production and entertainment activities sure to delight adults and kids alike. Based on the popular "Family Game Night," television show, the new Hasbro programs will put guests smack in the middle of six of their favorite games, such as Operation, Yahtzee Bowling, Connect 4 Basketball, Sorry Sliders and Simon Flash.

The entertainment doesn't stop there. Carnival is working with DJ IRIE and top Broadway producers to provide a broader array of interactive shows, night club experiences and entertainment. Award-winning DJ IRIE will be training and developing the talents of all of Carnival's on-board DJ talent to heighten the club and music experience for guests of all ages. Playlist Productions will be producing new shows and music-driven revues such as "Motor City" celebrating the R&B Motown sound, "Divas" featuring songs from leading female entertainers, "Latin Nights," and "The Brits!"

Foodies will be thrilled with Carnival's new deal with Guy Fieri of the Food Network. Fieri and Carnival are cooking up Guy's Burger Joint, serving a wide variety of delicious grilled burgers designed by Fieri himself. The burger joint is modeled after coastal roadside joints and best of all - the burgers are all free as part of the Carnival cruise experience.

The new BlueIguana Cantina will offer guests fresh Mexican cuisine in the perfect location - poolside. This appealing dining venue will serve freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas created right in front of guests' eyes. Three types of tacos and burritos and loads of toppings and fillings will be available.

And, of course, Carnival guests will be cheering for all the new bars coming to the high seas as part of Fun Ship 2.0. Carnival is rolling out lots of new spaces and options including The RedFrog Rum Bar - a poolside Caribbean-themed hangout with a laid-back vibe. Across the deck will be The BlueIguana Tequilla Bar, specializing in tequila-based drinks and Mexican beers. Then there's the Alchemy Bar - Carnival's cocktail "pharmacy" serving handcrafted cocktails in a vintage setting. Resident mixologists will be happy to "prescribe" special potions ranging from Mood Enhancers to Energizing Elixers. For those seeking a little peace and quiet, new The Library Bar will be just the place to read a book while enjoying a glass of wine or a favorite cocktail.

Carnival has also partnered with EA SPORTS, the leading sports videogame brand, to produce a cool new sports bar on their ships. Guests can play their favorite EA SPORTS videogames, watch live sports on a huge video wall, and keep up with real-time sports via ticker while enjoying their favorite drinks and snacks. This one is sure to be a real crowd-pleaser.

The first phase of Fun Ship 2.0 will be launched when the Carnival Liberty comes out of drydock in late October with the new enhancements. In 2012, guests can experience the new options on the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory. The fleet-wide rollout will continue through 2015. Make sure to check it out as part of your next cruise.