Royal Caribbean International and Durham County Cricket Club have announced a new two-year sponsorship agreement.
The deal will also see the opening of the cruise line’s first dedicated training facility and hospitality space in the north of England.
Royal Caribbean’s new lounge at the ground will host agents at future training days.
Associate vice president and managing director UK and Ireland Royal Caribbean Ben Bouldin said: “At Royal Caribbean, we are passionate about involvement in our local communities and are proud to be partnering with Durham CCC as one of the best cricket clubs in the country.
“We are also delighted to be able to offer our North of England travel agent partners a training space at Durham CCC’s world-class facilities.
“We look forward to using the lounge to provide agents with the tools they need to confidently sell our holidays to new and existing customers.
“We will also use it as a way to thank them for their unwavering support by inviting them to future games with hospitality.”
The sponsorship agreement first began in 2005 but this new version will see Royal Caribbean become the club’s official travel partner.
This will also include TV-visible branding around the Emirates Riverside stadium as well as logo inclusion on Durham’s Specsavers County Championship shirt design.
The partnership was revealed during a press conference to announce the appointment of former England cricketer Sir Ian Botham as the club’s new chairman.
Botham said: “Royal Caribbean is a valued partner of the club and this new agreement takes our relationship to another level.
“They have built a reputation for innovation and we are very pleased to be associated with them.”