Carnival Cruise Lines Announces Exclusive, Multi-Year Partnership With Popular Texas League Baseball Team, Frisco RoughRiders

MIAMI, March 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines – Texas' largest cruise operator – today announced a grand slam partnership with the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers that plays at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. This multi-year partnership marks Carnival's first-ever relationship with a professional baseball franchise.

As the Official Cruise Line of the Frisco RoughRiders, Carnival will bring its signature brand of fun to fans of the popular Dallas-area team throughout the 2014 season.

Carnival will help fans celebrate the most exciting part of the game – home runs – with two specially designed promotions that kick off with the RoughRiders' season opener on April 3.

Every time a RoughRiders player hits a home run, fans will hear the iconic sound of the Carnival ship horn, fireworks will launch from the outfield and celebratory graphics will illuminate the LED signs around the stadium.  Carnival will also match monetary donations made by fans during the age-old Texas League tradition of "Passing the Boot" for the RoughRiders Foundation, team and individual players after each RoughRiders' home run.

Also new this year is the "Carnival Crush Inning" during which fans will be randomly selected to win a free Carnival cruise for two if a RoughRiders player hits a home run during that inning. Fans can sign up for the promotion at the stadium or online before the game at RidersBaseball.com.

Fans will also be able to enjoy the Carnival Getaway Grill featuring unlimited ballpark favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, bratwursts, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, and Dr Pepper products for one all-inclusive price.

Additionally, Carnival will serve as host to this season's "Kids' Day," during which children from underprivileged families within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex will enjoy a RoughRiders' game along with fun activities and interaction with players, photo opportunities, autographs and more.

Carnival's recognizable red, white and blue logo will be positioned throughout the 10,000-seat stadium, which includes one of the world's largest outfield LED signs.

"Carnival is excited to partner with the RoughRiders to help bring even more fun to their fans at the ballpark," said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer for Carnival Cruise Lines. "Our brands align extremely well as we are both known for creating fun and memorable moments by delivering a great experience at an incredible value."

"We are excited to announce our new partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines," said RoughRiders' President Scott Sonju. "They are going to be an excellent partner in helping us bring to life the fun nine-inning entertainment experience for our fans."

Carnival pioneered year-round cruising from Galveston, Texas. The line currently operates two Galveston-based ships, Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph, carrying more than 450,000 passengers annually – more than any other cruise operator.

Opening Day 2014 for the RoughRiders is Thursday, April 3, when Frisco hosts the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at 7:05 p.m. (Central time) as part of a six-game season-opening home stand.

For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2014, please call (972) 731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.RidersBaseball.com. 

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Lines, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.  

Carnival can also be found on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carnivalcruise 
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/carnival 
YouTube:  www.youtube.com/carnival
Journalists also can visit Carnival's media site, www.carnival-news.com or follow the line's PR department on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CarnivalPR.

About Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is "The World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" with 24 ships operating three- to 23-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda. Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Tahiti.  The company's 25th ship, the 135,000-ton Carnival Vista, is scheduled to enter service in 2016.

Carnival is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  Visit us at www.worldleadingcruiselines.com.

About Frisco RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team has finished first among all Double-A minor league teams in attendance each season from 2005 – 2013, drawing more than half-a-million fans each year since the team was founded in 2003. More than 100 former RoughRiders have gone on to play in the Major Leagues, including All-Stars Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Chris Davis, C.J. Wilson, Adrian Gonzalez, Neftali Feliz and Matt Harrison The RoughRiders are owned by Mandalay Sports Entertainment, winners of the "Baseball Organization of the Year" in 2008 by Ballpark Digest.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Lines