Zombies on deck for upcoming theme cruises

By Richard Tribou

Orlando Sentinel (TNS)

What do zombies, ’80s big-hair bands and Super Bowl-winning tight ends have in common? They’re all throwing a party on a ship and inviting you on their theme cruises next year.

First up are zombies. Fans of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” have been congregating at Walker Stalker conventions since the show’s first season, and now that convention is heading to sea.

The Walker Stalker Cruise sails out of Miami on a three-night voyage to Nassau, Bahamas, plus one day at sea on the Norwegian Pearl from Jan. 15-18, 2016.

Cruisers can expect stars from the show including fan favorite Norman Reedus, who plays the crossbow-toting Daryl, as well as Chandler Riggs (Carl), Emily Kinney (Beth), Sonequa Martin-Green (Sasha), Chad L. Coleman (Tyreese), Christian Serratos (Rosita), Lawrence Gilliard Jr. (Bob) and Ross Marquand (Aaron).

Expect Q&A sessions, zombie-themed parties, games and costume contests.

Details can be found at walkerstalkercruise.com.

Switching from the living dead to living legends, Def Leppard is planning a four-night cruise on the MSC Divina along with a who’s who of supporting 1980s-era rock artists for the band’s inaugural “Hysteria On The Seas” fan cruise.

Sailing from Miami from Jan. 21-25, 2016, with stops at Grand Bahama Island and the private island Half Moon Cay as well as one day at sea, the cruise will feature the band known for hits such as “Photograph,” “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Rock of Ages.”

The event kicks off with a pre-party in Miami on Jan. 20 and continues on board with performances, meet and greets, Q&As, photo opportunities and more.

Details can be found at DefLeppardCruise.com.

While those cruisers might be partying like it’s 1989, current Super Bowl champion and New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is planning the Gronk’s Party Ship cruise from Miami from Feb. 19-22, 2016.

The three-night cruise departs Miami heading to “Gronk’s Island,” aka Great Stirrup Cay, plus a day at sea on the Norwegian Pearl.

Billed as a cruise “that will bring you back to those days of partying hard, spring break style,” Gronkowski’s “teammates” for the cruise will include musicians 3Lau, Waka Flocka Flame, Sammy Adams and more.

Details can be found at GronksPartyShip.com.