ESPN International Maritime Networks Introduces ESPNatSEA – a Unique Interactive Live Television Sports Viewing-Cruise Experience

Series of VIP Cruises Highlighting Major Sporting Events on the ESPN Maritime Networks Featuring Celebrity Athletes Kicks Off During the Biggest Football Event of the Year.

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Attention all sports fans and cruise lovers! ESPNatSEA is unveiling an exciting line-up of ESPN International live network sports viewing-cruise VIP events, featuring current and former athletes, international cheerleaders and dance teams plus themed-viewing events including “My Team" super fan costume parties. ESPNatSEA provides a VIP, special and reserved shipboard TV network experience showcasing a variety of live televised sports events combined with adventurous travel itineraries aboard the finest cruise ships in the world.

“When it comes to premiere live televised sporting events, ESPN always goes above and beyond. Mixing first-class sporting events with a VIP interactive cruise environment instantaneously appeals to travelers worldwide”

These VIP live TV event cruises starting with football and soccer are being created by ESPN International aboard a variety of participating cruise lines, offering a wide range of sports-related cruise experiences and itineraries to a worldwide audience. With ESPNatSEA, ESPN International will enhance the depth of its maritime television network coverage, creating a more interactive experience for fans and cruisers when at sea.

“We are excited to offer a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for sports fans who rely on us to bring them live events, the latest news and behind-the-scenes information, no matter where they are,” said Bernard Stewart, vice president, ESPN Caribbean and Maritime Media. “From private VIP cocktail receptions with sport celebrities to behind-the-scenes participation in the production of popular ESPN International programs, our cruises will provide a variety of live televised events and sports-themed activities to expand the maritime ESPN experience.”

The first two upcoming ESPNatSEA events will set sail this February on the biggest football weekend of the year. The focus will be on televising live two of the most popular sports in the world – Football and Fútbol. In addition the live network viewing of football, ESPN International is celebrating the launch of its global soccer brand – ESPNFC – with special segments of the ESPNatSEA adventures being filmed for the ESPNFC Press Pass television program. The program will explore over several days at sea the excitement and global fan interest of “Football vs. Fútbol.” These special ESPN International VIP events at sea (and additional events to be announced soon) are available exclusively through ESPNatSEA.com or ESPNCaribbean.com.

Choices of 5- or 7-night itineraries are available exclusively through ESPNatSEA including:

• Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas: Calling all women soccer fans and football lovers. The biggest day in football is not the only sporting highlight on this 5-night VIP cruise. There will also be a special focus on the international success and rising popularity of women’s soccer. This cruise leaves from Tampa, stopping in Key West, Fla. and Cozumel, Mexico. Dates: February 2-7, 2013.
• Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas: 7-night cruise round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale to some the hottest Caribbean destination such as Labadee, Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico. The biggest football day of the year will be televised live at sea, so be prepared. Dates: February 2 to 9, 2013.

Participation in both programs will NOT be offered on the cruises. However, interested parties who may have already booked their cruise can contact ESPNatSEA at [e-mail] to register for the VIP Experience.

“Royal Caribbean is very pleased to be the host of the two launch events for ESPNatSEA. ESPN and Royal Caribbean have a long history of supporting each other as partners in televised sporting events – for example ESPN International is a sponsor of the Royal 5K running events,” remarked Lori Cassidy, director, Corporate Incentive and Charter Sales, Royal Caribbean International.

“When it comes to premiere live televised sporting events, ESPN always goes above and beyond. Mixing first-class sporting events with a VIP interactive cruise environment instantaneously appeals to travelers worldwide,” said Mark Phillips of HelmsBriscoe Cruises.

For more information about ESPNatSEA, please visit: espnatsea.com. Check out @ESPNSEA to find all the upcoming live network television sport themed cruises and itineraries. #ESPN@SEA RT http://ow.ly/edNed

About ESPN International

ESPN International is a division of ESPN, Inc., which has grown to include ownership — in whole or in part — of 48 television networks outside of the United States, as well as a variety of additional businesses that allow ESPN to reach sports fans in over 200 countries and territories across all seven continents. ESPN International business entities include television, radio, print, internet, broadband, wireless, consumer products, and event management. The company and its holdings maintain offices or production facilities in key locations around the world including Bangalore, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, New York City, Paris, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taiwan, and Toronto. Since 1983, ESPN (originally founded in Bristol, Connecticut, in 1979) has been growing around the world, establishing itself as the leading global sports media brand. The company’s philosophy to global growth is to always serve sports fans and be locally relevant to them, with content and products that tap into their great passion and dedication.

About HelmsBriscoe Cruises (Powered by Landry + Kling)

HelmsBriscoe is the global leader in cruise meeting procurement for a variety of corporate, association and government clients. By using their proprietary technology, collective market knowledge, and volume based purchasing power, HelmsBriscoe Cruises facilitates the research and contracting processes, thereby mitigating the risk and increasing the return on their Clients’ meetings at sea. HelmsBriscoe Cruises event specialists provide ship brokering and custom cruise logistics, event marketing, and event registration for ship buy-outs, incentive cruises, meetings-at-sea, theme cruises and ship charters for global events. For oceans of information, visit www.helmsbriscoe.com/cruise-services.html or www.landrykling.com or call 800-448-9002.