Carnival Corp. Launches Three Reality TV Programs

YouTube celebrityAndrea Feczko host Vacation Creation on The CW, a show that gives cruise vacations to families facing hardship. Photo: Carnival Corporation

In an unprecedented marketing initiative for a cruise line, Carnival Corporation is launching three half-hour reality TV network television programs this fall.

The shows will air on Saturday mornings beginning Oct. 1, on ABC, NBC and The CW, and feature ships from all of the company’s 10 brands. “Ocean Treks” with Jeff Corwin will air on ABC; “The Voyager” with Josh Garcia will air on NBC; and comedian Tommy Davidson and YouTube celebrity Andrea Feczko will host “Vacation Creation” on The CW.

Approximately 80 original episodes will rotate over the next 12 months. A fourth series produced by Carnival will air on a mid-week evening on cable beginning in early 2017, Carnival said.

“We are excited to launch our first original TV programs and to share compelling content and stories with millions of people,” said Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald, in a press statement. The shows, he said, will “help dispel outdated myths about cruising and expose a much broader consumer audience to why cruising is the fastest growing segment of the vacation industry.”

Host Corwin will lead viewers on port excursions, including wildlife-watching, kayaking, zip-lining, diving, rappelling and mountain-climbing. Garcia will take a more tame approach, visiting port locals, exploring local history, culture and dining options.

“Vacation Creation” will take a slightly different tack. Davidson and Feczko will work with Carnival to create and provide free personalized vacations for individuals, couples and families who have had to weather personal hardships.

The programs will provide Carnival with ample marketing muscle as the industry heads into “wave season.” Carnival will be taking out ads for Carnival brands during the programming.

Carnival of course was the cruise line that was featured in the popular 1970s-80s television show, “The Love Boat.”