First-ever Nickelodeon Family Cruise sails this August

Lots of cruise lines now offer supervised kids' programs during the summer months.

But Royal Caribbean is going them one better, teaming up with Nickelodeon -- the world's most widely distributed kids' TV channel -- to offer a Nickelodeon-themed one-week Western Caribbean cruise aboard the world's largest cruise ship, the Freedom of the Seas.

That means your kids can sail with Nick characters like Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants, take part in game shows featuring Nickelodeon slime (fun!), and meet some of the network's live-action stars. It's being billed as "Seven Days of Sun, Surf, and Slime."

All of this is in addition to Royal Caribbean's regular Adventure Oceans kids' programs (geared to different age groups from tot to teens) and the raft of other activities available on the 4,000-plus-passenger Freedom of the Seas, which include a surf simulator, a water park, an ice skating rink, a mini-golf course, a rock climbing wall, and a basketball court.

The mega-ship -- which departs Miami on August 10 and returns August 17 -- will take your family to the tropical destinations Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Royal Caribbean's private beach stop in Labadee, Haiti, which will be Nickelodeon-themed for this trip.

And parents aren't forgotten. The Freedom of the Seas offers more than 10 bars and lounges, eight restaurants, a spa and fitness center, adults-only whirlpools, and a casino. Just don't forget your kids are on board while they're mixing it up with Dora and SpongeBob; SpongeBob needs a break, too!

Vacation packages for the cruise are now on sale. Rates in a single stateroom for a family of two begin at $2,699, for a family of three at $3,349, for a family of four at $3,999, and up for bigger families. Discounts are available for adjacent staterooms, and connecting cabins are also available. Port taxes, government fees, and gratuities are an additional $200 per person.

For more information or bookings, call 866/770-NICK or click here for the cruise's special website.

Freedom of the Seas photo from Royal Caribbean.