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ROYAL CARIBBEAN INVITES KIDS NAMED DOROTHY, HENRY AND SHIRLEY TO SAIL FOR FREE ON WIGGLY-THEMED HOLIDAYS IN 2026
SYDNEY, Jan. 14, 2026 – Royal Caribbean is kicking off a Wiggly summer like no other, partnering once again with Australia’s beloved The Wiggles for another bold season. The two iconic family brands will take holidays to the next level with three exclusive Wiggly-themed sailings departing from Sydney on Anthem of the Seas and Brisbane on Quantum of the Seas in summer 2026/2027. To celebrate, kids named Dorothy, Henry and Shirley can sail for free*, joining their namesake characters – Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn – on adventures packed with music, new experiences and family memories.
The offering taps into the growing trend of retro children's names, with research** showing that more than a third (36%) of parents are considering vintage names for their children in 2026, while four in ten (40%) already describe their children’s names as classic or vintage. Nearly half of Australians (44%) know a child named Dorothy, Henry or Shirley, highlighting the cultural resonance these iconic names hold. Nearly one third (32%) of parents say pop culture influences their baby-naming choices. Half of parents (50%) believe the popularity of old-fashioned names will continue to rise over the next few years, and two thirds (68%) of Australians believe old-fashioned names are making a comeback. With Henry (56%) ranking as Australia’s second most popular baby name for 2026 (56%), it’s clear the vintage name revival is taking off – and now, kids with these timeless names have a chance to sail for free.
“With the rise of vintage names like Dorothy, Henry and Shirley, we saw a playful opportunity to celebrate this trend while offering families a unique chance to connect with their favourite Wiggles and Wiggly characters,” said Kathryn Lock, senior marketing director, Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean. “In summer 2026/27, the three exclusive sailings will mark the second year of this exciting partnership, bringing more unforgettable adventures for all ages. We can’t wait to welcome families onboard for the Ultimate Wiggly Adventure.”
Packed with memory-making activities and adventures for the whole family, the Royal Caribbean Wiggly-themed experiences will feature Aussies’ favourites onboard, The Wiggles and their Wiggly Friends, including Tsehay Hawkins (Yellow Wiggle), Lucia Field (Blue Wiggle), Caterina Mete (Red Wiggle) and The Tree of Wisdom. Young children and their loved ones can look forward to an action-packed lineup of activities, including a Sail Away party featuring DJ Dorothy, live shows and ultimate family discos, along with special photo opportunities and meet-and-greets with the beloved Wiggles and their Wiggly Friends.
In summer 2026/27, families can choose from three exciting Wiggly-themed sailings departing from Sydney and Brisbane on both short getaways and longer adventures.
- 30 November 2026 – 4-night Quantum of the Seas getaway from Brisbane to Airlie Beach
Holidaymakers can kick off the summer with a short getaway to tropical Queensland and celebrate alongside the widely popular Tree of Wisdom, Tsehay Hawkins (Yellow Wiggle), and all the beloved Wiggly Friends. With wow-worthy beaches, sunny days and unbeatable experiences for the whole crew, the holiday is filled with memory-maxing moments.
- 1 March 2027 – 4-night Anthem of the Seas holiday from Sydney to Hobart
The ultimate short family getaway awaits as holidaymakers set sail to Hobart with Lucia Field (Blue Wiggle) and the Wiggly Friends. Guests can enjoy local eats, outdoor adventures in Tasmania, and unique Wiggly experiences every day of the getaway.
- 19 March 2027 – 7-night Quantum of the Seas getaway from Brisbane to the South Pacific
Travelers can discover the best of the tropical South Pacific on an extended family adventure, featuring Caterina Mete (Red Wiggle), Evie Ferris (Yellow Wiggle) and the beloved Wiggly Friends. From island hopping to dancing on deck, it’s a week of non-stop thrills, music and adventure that will have everyone singing, dancing and smiling from start to finish.
“We can’t wait for all the little Dorothys, Henrys and Shirleys to join our adventure on the high seas to celebrate the second year of this incredible Wiggly collaboration,” said John Pearce, Purple Wiggle and Australian singer, The Wiggles. “As a dad to my own little Henry, this one’s extra special! Get ready to sing, dance and wiggle your way through the Ultimate Wiggly Adventure and make unforgettable memories at sea with unique experiences every day of your holiday. It’s going to be an adventure the whole family will treasure!”
To redeem the kid’s sail free offer, families can visit here.
Holidaymakers can also find out more about the second year of The Wiggles’ partnership on Royal Caribbean’s website with the three exclusive Wiggly Sailings from Sydney and Brisbane open for bookings.
*NOTE TO EDITOR: Media can find assets on the Royal Caribbean press center at www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com/images/.
About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 23 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the line’s top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor.
About The Wiggles
For over three decades, The Wiggles, the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group have educated, entertained, and enriched the lives of millions of pre-schoolers (and their parents) all over the globe. Today, generations of fans that grew up watching The Wiggles are sharing their love of them with their own children. Having sold over 30 million albums and DVDs and 8 million books globally, as well as accumulating over 2 billion music streams, 3 billion views on YouTube and 10 million YouTube subscribers, The Wiggles continue to dominate the preschool entertainment scene. Their live shows annually sell out to audiences on three separate continents, and their videos are seen in over 190 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.thewiggles.com, subscribe to their YouTube channel, follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok or listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
* Terms and Conditions:
- Name Requirement: The child’s first name must be Dorothy, Henry or Shirley.
- Age Requirement: The child must be under 6 years old as of the selected sailing to be eligible for entry.
- Availability of Cabins: A maximum of 50 cabins are available for claim within the two-week period after the launch date (14 January 2026 to 28 January 2026). The cabins are available on a first come, first serve basis.
- Residency: The offer is open to residents of Australia and New Zealand only.
- Terms of use: Valid for one child to sail for free in a triple or quad stateroom on Wiggly-themed sailings scheduled for the 2026-2027 season.
- Full T&Cs can be found here.
** Research was conducted in November 2025 with a nationally representative sample of Australian parents aged 18-50. The research found that Australia’s top ten baby names are:
- Hazel (62%)
- Henry (56%)
- Arthur (52%)
- Mabel (44%)
- Frank (39%)
- Albert (38%)
- Dorothy (29%)
- Shirley (29%)
- Olive (20%)
- Elsie (17%)
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