This sounds great.
2025 – King Features, a unit of Hearst and home to some of the world’s most iconic entertainment characters, today revealed a first look at its all-new activation for Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2: The Newstalgia Lounge, a fully immersive fan experience inspired by the golden age of comics.
Designed to feel like you’ve been dropped right into the funny pages, The Newstalgia Lounge invites guests to step aboard and step back in time. Blending vintage comic strip charm with bold, modern flair, the space celebrates legendary characters including Popeye, Olive Oyl, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and more from King Features’ rich portfolio.
Guests can relax with themed cocktails surrounded by vibrant artwork that celebrates generations of comic icons including Prince Valiant, Mandrake the Magician, Hägar the Horrible, Blondie and more. Plus, fans can expect signature programming including a Popeye competition event, exclusive themed giveaways, and a lineup of surprises designed to keep fans engaged throughout their seafaring journey. The experience also connects fans to Comics Kingdom, King Features’ digital home for the world’s most legendary comics, characters, and creators.
“We’re always looking for new ways to let fans live inside the worlds of our characters,” said Carla Silva, SVP & GM, Global Head of Licensing, King Features. “After the incredible energy we saw on the inaugural cruise, The Newstalgia Lounge is our next step in giving fans unforgettable, hands-on experiences that bring our timeless IP to life.”
This latest announcement underscores King Features’ continued expansion in the location-based entertainment space, bringing their characters to new audiences through stand-out, immersive experiences worldwide. Recent highlights include a Popeye-branded kids’ activation at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain and a partnership with Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Portugal’s premier football club, which named Popeye and Olive Oyl as official spokescharacters for Benfica Sports Enterprise.
Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2 is set to sail round-trip out of Tampa, Florida, from January 30 to February 3, 2026 on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation, a cruise line owned by Royal Caribbean. This 4-day luxury cruise fuses fan-favorite elements of the Comic-Con community with unique experiences, designed exclusively for fans. Other highlights for Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2 include appearances by actors from fan-favorite films including X-Men’sDominic Monaghan, The Lord of the Rings’ Billy Boyd, and Harry Potter’s Jason Isaacs, panels and workshops, exclusive merch, Artists’ Alley showcases, themed deck parties, and more.
For updates, visit comicconthecruise.com and follow #ComicConCruise on social media.
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