Imagine boarding a cruise with SpongeBob, Dora and Patrick waiting to greet you, plus the chance to get covered from head to toe in Nickelodeon’s famous green slime.
For several years, families really could do exactly that on Norwegian Cruise Line ships. But Nickelodeon cruises disappeared in 2015 and have never returned.
So what happened to them, and where can you take kids who want that same character-filled experience today?
About the Nickelodeon Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line’s partnership with Nickelodeon gave passengers the chance to meet and interact with characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Patrick Star.
The partnership eventually expanded across several NCL ships, with Nickelodeon-themed entertainment, activities and special events designed for families.
The five ships that sailed with Nickelodeon-themed entertainment were:
- Norwegian Epic
- Norwegian Gem
- Norwegian Jewel
- Norwegian Getaway
- Norwegian Breakaway
Norwegian Escape was under construction at the time that the deal with Nickelodeon ended and the planned Nickelodeon branding was removed before her debut.
When they were running, the Nickelodeon cruises included character meet and greets and the chance to splash around with SpongeBob and others in the kids’ aqua park.
One of the most popular events was Slime Time Live, which gave cruise passengers the chance to have green slime dumped on them while playing high-paced games.
A less messy alternative was the chance to enjoy Dancing with Dora or special themed breakfasts called Pyjama Jam Breakfast.
Here’s a TV advert for the Nickelodeon cruise that shows what you could have expected from it…
The End of the Nickelodeon Cruise
Nickelodeon cruises ended in 2015 and since that time they have not re-appeared. The reason for the cruises ending has never been announced publicly but it was not due to customer dissatisfaction, since the Nickelodeon cruises were very popular with passengers.
It seems likely that the partnership ended as Nickelodeon wanted to go in a new direction. They announced a new partnership with Karisma Hotel and Resorts at around the same time. This was in order to work together to build modern resorts in the Caribbean, including an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana.
Norwegian stated that the partnership had been successful and had resulted in a 20% increase in guest satisfaction with its youth programming.
Alternatives to a Nickelodeon Cruise
So, you can’t book yourself on a Nickelodeon cruise anymore but that doesn’t mean that you (and your kids) need to miss out on all the fun!
Here are six of the best alternatives for families who love cruises, characters and plenty of themed fun.
1. Disney Cruises
If it’s cruising with characters that you want, then a Disney Cruise is probably the best option.
The whole voyage is filled with Disney magic from a range of beloved characters that is hard to match.
Disney Cruises feature amazing live shows and character meet-and-greets from characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Disney Princesses throughout the ship. There are also themed parties, deck parties, and fireworks displays to keep guests entertained.
Read more: How Much is a Disney Cruise Compared to Other Cruises?
2. P&O Cruises with Wallace & Gromit
P&O Cruises has partnered with Aardman to bring Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep on their cruises.
The characters appear at a welcome on-board party, and there are special character appearances at dance sessions for the little ones. I love that they have a clay workshop where you can create your own characters.
You can also enjoy story time with the characters, and there are a whole host of themed arts and crafts activities, including making a character mask, Gromit ears, or your very own rocket. There is also a 30-minute stage show featuring Wallace and Gromit.
Read more: Things That P&O Cruises Does Better Than Other Cruise Lines
3. Seuss at Sea on Carnival Cruises
Carnival has brought the world of Dr. Seuss on board its ships. You can enjoy a character parade, interactive story time, and arts & crafts activities.
But the highlight is the Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast, a colourful character breakfast with plenty of Dr. Seuss-themed food and decorations. You can meet some favourite characters while enjoying a fun menu inspired by the wonderfully wacky world of Dr. Seuss.
4. Peppa Pig on Costa Cruises
If your little one is a big fan of Peppa Pig, then Costa Cruises has your back. As soon as you board, children receive an invitation to meet Peppa, while the kids’ club recreates the atmosphere and setting of the cartoon.
The highlight is the on-deck swimming pool, which features Grandpa Pig’s boat. There are also Peppa Pig-themed activities like colouring, puzzles, and treasure hunts, plus in the evening, the disco is Peppa’s Pirate Party.
Be aware though, Peppa is only on board during the school holidays. I cruised in January and I didn’t see her once.
5. Nickelodeon Resorts
Nickelodeon has branched out into resorts too, which you can find at NickResorts. There are now three to choose from, in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Riviera Maya in Mexico and Antalya in Turkey. The Antalya resort is the newest, having opened in 2025.
The resorts are packed with Nickelodeon theming, with character meet and greets featuring favourites like SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
There are some fantastic water parks too, with colourful slides and splash areas that kids will love.
But it’s not all about keeping the children entertained. While they’re having fun at Club Nick, grown-ups can make the most of the all-inclusive food and drinks or escape to the spa for some much-needed relaxation.
6. Nickelodeon Theme Parks
Another way to get your Nickelodeon fix is to visit one of their theme parks.
In the US, there are two Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme parks. The original is inside the Mall of America in Minnesota, with rides themed around characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There’s another Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream in New Jersey, which has plenty of Nickelodeon-themed rides and attractions too.
If you’re in the UK, Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a great option. It has 12 rides aimed at families and younger children, including SpongeBob’s Splash Bash, Dora’s World Voyage and Rugrats Lost River. You can also meet Nickelodeon characters during your visit.
There are Nickelodeon attractions elsewhere around the world too, so it’s worth checking what’s available near you if a whole Nickelodeon-themed holiday sounds like a little too much!
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The Bottom Line
Sadly, Nickelodeon cruises don’t look like they’re coming back any time soon. But if it’s the combination of cruising and familiar characters that appeals to you, there are still some great alternatives.
Disney Cruise Line is probably the closest match, with loads of characters, live shows, deck parties and fireworks. Carnival’s Dr. Seuss experiences are another fun option, while P&O Cruises has Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.
And if it’s specifically SpongeBob, PAW Patrol and the rest of the Nickelodeon gang that your kids want to see, a Nickelodeon resort or theme park is now your best bet.
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