In honour of World Space Week, Carnival Cruise Line announced a partnership with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to launch a children’s space programme with activities inspired by NASA science. The programme will debut on the Carnival Celebration in November.
As part of Camp Ocean’s science and discovery programming, the NASA-backed Space Cruisers curriculum is designed to be both educational and entertaining, allowing campers of all ages to explore the universe and our home planet through a variety of hands-on and unique learning opportunities. Children will be able to complete “missions” (activities) in order to earn a mission patch with a specific theme that represents the programme.
Highlights include:
Optimal Orbit (ages 2 to 8) – Learn the force of gravity and how planets, satellites, and other objects move through space through a hands-on trampoline experience.
Design Your Own Mission Patch (ages 6 to 11) – Join the long-standing tradition of astronauts and create your own mission patch to tell your story.
Space Cruisers Rocket Workshop (ages 6 to 11) – Follow in the footsteps of NASA’s brilliant engineers and construct a paper rocket that will soar through the air.
Mars Base Connect (family-friendly) – Explore the steps required to construct a Mars base and work with your family to build your own.
Call out constellations displayed on a unique star projector in a space-themed BINGO game for the chance to win special giveaways.
Carnival Cruise Line’s director of youth experience, Melissa Mahaffey, stated,“Space Cruisers will truly take our offerings to the next level with the perfect balance of fun and education to give both our younger guests and their families something to be excited about. Kids are always looking to explore new things, and this programme gives them the chance to discover many of the awesome aspects of space through fun activities while taking away unique learnings.”
“Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is where the epic story of the U.S. space programme is brought to life through fun and inspirational activities, exhibits and educational activities,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “We’re excited to bring a piece of that experience aboard Carnival Celebration for the Space Cruisers program.”
An area of Camp Ocean will feature an illuminated space wall that displays the planets as well as a display of light-up constellations on the ceiling, expanding the fun learning experience into a new dimension. Actual constellations will be displayed alongside Carnival-themed constellations such as a ship model and the iconic funnel.
In time for the holiday season, the programme will be rolled out to the Space Coast with Mardi Gras in Port Canaveral as Carnival Celebration sails from Miami on its maiden voyage in November. Diverse programme activities will be implemented fleetwide in time for spring break.
The Carnival Celebration will be the second ship in the fleet to feature an award-winning roller coaster. The ship will make its debut from the modernised Terminal F at PortMiami, the line’s third terminal at the port and its largest in South Florida. In 2023, the terminal will be among the first at PortMiami to be equipped with shore power.
