Princess Cruises is to host a Harry Potter-themed ‘Wizard Cruise’ from Los Angeles this November.
Over 600 Potter fanatics – dressed in full wizard robes and brandishing wands – will embark on a four-night California Coastal cruise aboard the Golden Princess in what is expected to be an annual event for the cruise line.
The cruise is being hosted in association with Whimsic Alley, an LA-based shop which sells gifts such as quills, witches hats and other magical apparel from a store designed to resemble Diagon Alley, the wizarding retail street featured in the hugely popular books and film franchise.
Whimsic Alley runs Harry Potter camps for children and adults every year, and the shop’s creator Stan Goldin said he hoped to offer the same kind of experience to participants of the Wizard Cruise.
Goldin said: “We fully immerse our campers in the wizard-world experience. For the entire time they’re with us, they become students at a wizarding academy, subject to the challenges and ordeals inherent in that experience.
“We’ve been soliciting ideas from our fans since last year and have tried incorporating as many of their suggestions as possible. We’re proud to be able to offer this trip on the Golden Princess. We consider Princess one of the world’s finest cruise lines.”
Event coordinator Belinda Ervin added: “Guests will be entertained practically around the clock.
“They’ll be overwhelmed. They literally won’t know which way to turn.”
A place on the Wizard Cruise starts from $650 and includes food, lodging, entertainment and activities.