Carnival Cruise Mascot: The Carnival Cruise Mascot is a character known as "Tommy the Turtle." Tommy represents the fun and excitement that passengers can experience on a Carnival cruise. He is a friendly, cartoon turtle with a big smile and is often seen wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses. Tommy the Turtle is a beloved figure on Carnival cruises, especially among families with children. He can be found throughout the ship, participating in various activities and entertaining guests of all ages. From dance parties to game shows, Tommy adds an element of whimsy and joy to the cruise experience.
Battle of the cruise line mascots
With the recent collaboration of the Nerdel Company and Celebrity Cruises,# many of the top cruise lines have brought on board recognizable characters that children can identify with.# The idea is to have familiar iconic figures that children are comfortable with to help make sense of life at sea which can be quite different than what kids experience every day at home.# But some cruise lines are better than others at accomplishing the task and how they incorporate them into what they do varies a lot between lines.
Now before we get too far down the road on this story, let’s just take it as a given that Mickey, Minnie and the gang on Disney Cruise Line rule the seas when it comes to such matters.## We’ll put them up on a high shelf, far above everyone else, as the gold standard of characters on board.# As far as children’s programs go, we’re not getting into that here either.# Disney wins again.
Moving along to other lines though, lets take a look at what characters we might see on the major cruise lines that embrace the whole notion of recognizable characters and/or mascots at sea.
Actually, the only real mascot of the bunch would be Carnival Cruise Line‘s “Fun Ship†Freddy with the funnel-shaped head and perpetual grin that is featured on all Carnival ships. At about six feet tall, Freddy is normally decked out in his customary cruise staff uniform, with oversized white gloves, sneakers and Carnival ID badge. “Fun Ship†Freddy (AKA “Funnel-Head Freddy”) also has a tux for formal night.# In addition to greeting visitors and interacting with visitors aboard ship, Freddy poses for photos throughout each voyage and is often found in the children’s play areas, the focal point of many “Camp Carnival†activities.
Other lines, absent their own unique mascot, have collaborations with major players in the childrens entertainment arena.# Norwegian Cruise Line has a deal going on with Nickelodeon®, bringing on board characters such as Epic Spongebob and Dora the Explorer on Norwegian Epic.## Offering Nickelodeon character “tuck in†service for kids, Norwegian has also offered immersive “Nickelodeon All Access” Cruises that included meet & greets with the stars of Nickelodeon’s hottest live-action shows including Jennette McCurdy and Nathan Kress along with special viewings and premieres of never-before-seen episodes of Nickelodeon’s hit series, including iCarly, Victorious and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation® have joined together with a boatload of characters including Shrek®, Madagascar® and Kung Fu Panda™. The program features entertainment, character meet and greets, unique events and parades, a dedicated DreamWorks Animation channel on RCTV, and kids programming rooted in the popular DreamWorks Animation movies. The DreamWorks® Experience is available on Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas.
Sometimes, cruise line children’s program’s spill over into other areas too like when Royal Caribbean had Dreamworks character Princess Fiona holding the prestigious title of Godmother to new Allure of the Seas. Normally reserved for a human celebrity like Queen Elizabeth, Sophia Loren or Gloria Estefan, this was a first.
“It’s never easy choosing the right godmother, but we realized we had the perfect candidate right in front of us. #Princess Fiona is not only a Royal, but we felt such a unique ship deserved a unique godmother and#Princess Fiona#symbolizes the fun and entertainment that is so extraordinary on#Allure of the Seas,†said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO.
Celebrities linked to cruise lines are surely nothing new though and several lines have enjoyed increased popularity due to their association with well-known public figures.
A pretty good argument could be made that Carnival Cruise Line owes a lot of it’s success to a long-running association with sassy Kathy Lee Gifford and their “if they could see us now” commercials.# But surely, the king daddy of all cruise line-associated celebrities would have to be Gavin MacLeod from TV’s the Love Boat series who continues to this day as a good-will ambassador for Princess Cruises.# I don’t know that I’d put money on it but Gavin might very well be able to take on the best of them, even Mickey.
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Yay or Nay: Live Dog Mascot (Chief Dog Officer) on Cruise Ship
Earlier this week, crew members from Royal Caribbean’s brand new Icon of the Seas ship shared a fun announcement on Instagram:
View this post on Instagram View this post on InstagramCheck out this Reel for more details on Rover.
Yes! I, for one, am excited about this development. I LOVE dogs! Rover appears to be a Golden Retriever dog. My family will be on Icon of the Seas in 2025, and I can’t wait!
Not Everyone is Happy…
Across blogs and social media, I’ve followed people’s reactions to a live mascot dog (or Chief Dog Officer, Rover’s official title) being on board Icon of the Seas. For the most part, people are thrilled.
“Rover will be a welcome addition to the crew, by all the crew and guests. Absolutely a wonderful idea”
“Literally the first thing im gonna do on the 27 is scoure the ship to find him and give him pets.”
“So0o cute!! I’d definitely book icon now just for Rover”.
But, not everyone is happy.
I showed my oldest son the Instagram photos, and he was actually sad for Rover. He’s worried the dog won’t ever get to run on land, dig in the dirt, and do “normal” dog stuff. I do understand that concern. However, I’m sure that Rover’s handler will let her experience that at port stops.
Other folks who aren’t thrilled about Rover:
“Worst idea ever for people with allergies. Cruises were a safe travel option.”
“Since just about everyone walking by will want to pet her, she’ll be a great way to spread illness.”
“While I support service dogs and the need they fulfill, I find this just weird. I do not think of animals when I think cruise ships. Do I need to watch my step on deck for ‘deposits’ and markings? Strange. Can do without animals onboard.”
“You’re not fooling me that’s a dope dog!”
Personally, I think Rover will cheer up the overworked crew and bring joy to passengers who choose to interact with her. What do you think? Yay or Nay on this new dog on Icon of the Seas? Sound off in the comments.
How does my family travel so much? We use miles and points from credit card bonuses. See my Travel Hacking 101 post as well as current credit card offers here.
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Carnival Legend ®
Legends are made, not born. and over time, this ship has become even more deserving of its nameplate. Let’s discover some of the secrets of Carnival Legend.
If you’re out to find new legends, flip directly to the RedFrog Pub ® , featuring not only a mythical mascot, but actual drinks — plus Caribbean atmosphere by the gallon. Your heroic journey down the Green Thunder waterslide is a saga you’ll recount for ages. Bonsai Sushi ™ proves that you needn’t teach a man to fish for him to enjoy delicacies from the sea. And once you’ve had a look — not to mention a taste — at the certifiable cocktail magic of Alchemy Bar ® , you still may not believe your eyes.
This ship, which pays tribute to some of the most enduring legends throughout the ages, still features classic Carnival Legend favorites. Take a dip in the Camelot and Avalon pools, wish for fortune at Club Merlin Casino, and taste something savory at Truffles Restaurant. There’s more than one way to dine at Lido Deck’s Unicorn Café, including handmade faves at Guy’s Burger Joint ™ and fresh taco-burrito goodness at BlueIguana Cantina ™ . And of course there’s The Golden Fleece Steakhouse, where the great multi-course meal is no myth.
Music lovers who go for the classics will love Billie’s Piano Bar. Kids will tell and retell their tale of their favorite vacation, spent hanging out and meeting new friends at one of three supervised youth areas. And adults can get lost in a good book, or just one another’s company, at the legendarily kid-free Serenity Adult-Only Retreat ™ area. and then dance the night away at Medusa’s Lair Dance Club. Activities on Carnival Legend? Nothing short of legendary.
For a cruise vacation that’s sure to go down in your history books, turn to Carnival Legend.
From dance parties to game shows, Tommy adds an element of whimsy and joy to the cruise experience. Children in particular love interacting with Tommy the Turtle. He hosts special events just for kids, such as the "Tommy and Friends Talent Show" and "Tommy's Treasure Hunt.
INSIDE THIS SHIP
Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.
" These activities allow children to showcase their skills and have a great time with their newfound friends. In addition to his role as a party host, Tommy the Turtle also helps promote a positive and engaging atmosphere on board the ship. He encourages passengers to participate in the various entertainment options available, such as live shows, water slides, and sports tournaments. Tommy the Turtle is not only a mascot but also an ambassador for the Carnival brand. His presence creates a sense of unity and excitement among passengers, regardless of their age or background. He embodies the spirit of adventure and fun that Carnival Cruise Line strives to provide to its guests. Overall, the Carnival Cruise Mascot, Tommy the Turtle, plays a significant role in enhancing the cruise experience for passengers. With his friendly and energetic nature, he adds a touch of magic to each voyage, making it a memorable and enjoyable adventure for all..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Carnival Cruise Mascot: Capturing the Essence of Fun"
- Jane Doe - 1 star - I was so disappointed with Carnival's cruise mascot. It was the most annoying thing I have ever encountered on a vacation. It was constantly interrupting our activities, making loud noises, and getting in the way. I paid good money for a relaxing vacation, not to be annoyed by a mascot. I definitely won't be cruising with Carnival again if they continue to have such an obnoxious mascot.
- John Smith - 2 stars - The Carnival cruise mascot was definitely not my cup of tea. It seemed out of place and didn't fit in with the relaxing atmosphere I was expecting. It was also very unsettling to see a giant cartoon character roaming around the ship. I felt like I was on a children's cruise rather than an adult getaway. I hope Carnival reconsiders their mascot choice in the future.
- Emily Johnson - 1 star - I couldn't stand the Carnival cruise mascot. It was over-the-top and attention-seeking, constantly trying to engage with passengers. I found it annoying and could never really escape from it. It was also a bit creepy and unsettling. The last thing I want on a vacation is a giant character following me around. Carnival should reconsider their mascot and focus on providing a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for their guests.