Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep to debut aboard Iona

P&O Cruises will debut two new children’s programs aboard its Excellence-class cruise ship Iona for the coming summer cruise season.

Wallace and Gromit and Shaun of the Sheep entertainment and activities will be introduced for the summer cruise season as part of a partnership with Aardman, the creators of the shows.

According to the cruise line, a range of character-based activities for all generations will be offered when Iona begins her Norwegian Fjords cruise program in April.

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Children in The Reef clubs will be able to participate in themed dance classes and craft workshops, where they can make Gromit ears or Shaun the Sheep masks.

There will also be special screenings of the Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep films in the cinema and character meet-and-greets, where passengers can have their photos taken with the “eccentric inventor Wallace” and “his loyal friend Gromit”.

“It’s not easy finding a holiday that caters to everyone’s needs and when you’re traveling with children, your happiness is linked to theirs,” said Paul Ludlow, President, P&O Cruises.

“This new partnership with Aardman will further enhance our wide range of choice and flexibility for families allowing everyone to have the time of their lives whilst relaxing, recharging, making memories and spending quality time together,” he added.

All activities will be included in the cost of the holiday, with the full range of activities on offer available in the daily cruise planner onboard.

P&O Cruises partnership with Aardman is part of a long-running trend of cruise lines licensing children’s entertainment and toy brands aboard their ships.

Carnival Cruise Line has Dr. Seuss, Costa Cruises has Peppa Pig, MSC Cruises has partnered with LEGO, Royal Caribbean features DreamWorks characters and activities aboard six of its cruise ships, and Disney Cruise Line of course is the home of all things Disney.

Iona is currently sailing roundtrip cruises to the Canary Islands and Spain out of Southampton, but in April will transition to her summer cruise program, which offers week-long roundtrip itineraries to Norway.

Sailing out of Southampton, Iona will visit Stavanger, Olden, Alesund and Haugesund in Norway, while also cruising the iconic Norwegian coastline on the North Sea.