Carnival Cruise Line hosted a Build-A-Bear Workshop event that provided more than 100 kids from Brevard, Fla.-area Boys & Girls Clubs with a day of fun aboard the Carnival Magic in Port Canaveral, Fla.
Coinciding with Build-A-Bear’s 20th Birthday, the event offered kids a chance to make their own cuddly bears that could be customized with a colorful Carnival T-shirt and other accessories. Each bear came with its own “birth certificate” and a special logoed drawstring bag for safe keeping. Kids also enjoyed delicious bear-themed sweets and a pizza party along with tours of the massive 130,000-ton Carnival Magic.
The day culminated with a $10,000 donation from Carnival Cruise Line to the Boys & Girls Clubs.
“We’re proud and honored to host this event aboard Carnival Magic which provided kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs with their very own cuddly bear as a permanent reminder of their memorable time on board,” said Caroline Lombardi, director of youth experience at Carnival Cruise Line. “The festivities were also a great way to showcase our wonderful partnership with Build-A-Bear and celebrate a significant milestone in their history.”
Carnival Cruise Line launched the first-ever Build-A-Bear Workshop At Sea last year and the popular family-friendly activity is now available on all 25 ships which collectively host more than 800,000 kids annually.
The family-friendly program includes Build-A-Bear stations located within the children’s play area on each ship and Build-A-Bear At Sea parties hosted by the ships’ cruise directors and featuring music, snacks and photo opportunities. A variety of optional outfits and accessories – everything from tutus and high-top sneakers to, appropriately enough, vacation wear like bathing suits and sunglasses – as well as a recordable chip that gives each bear its own voice, are also available.
Build-A-Bear Workshop At Sea complements the wide variety of all-ages activities available aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships which also include complimentary children’s programs for kids 2-17, spectacular water parks with corkscrew slides and splash zones, miniature golf courses, video arcades, poolside DiveIn Movies on giant LED screens, outdoor play spaces, volleyball and basketball courts and more.