NCS Foundation announces Celebrity Cartoonist Caribbean Cruise

So a really cool thing is in the works – not just in the works, it is happening this January. National Cartoonists Society Foundation President Steve McGarry has organized a week-long Caribbean Cartoonist Celebrity Cruise. These aren’t just B-rated or has-been cartoonist “celebrities”, we’re talking four Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonists (two of which have been honored twice), eight Reuben Award winners, along with notable cartoonists from the animation and greeting card industry. The great thing about this cruise, aside from: it’s a cruise, with cartoonists, with free drinks (yup, drinks are included), in the Caribbean, is that the proceeds go to The National Cartoonists Society Foundation. The NCSF provides college scholarships, funds trips overseas to draw for the troops, funds drawing sessions at children’s hospitals and helps raise awareness and interest into the art of cartooning.

The cruise events include several presentations by cartoonists, book signings, caricatures, sketch sessions, a caricature class by Tom Richmond, and a “Quick on the Draw Show.” And of course the touring and activities you’d expect at the several ports of call. Check out the full brochure over at the NCS.

The last time the NCS organized a cruise like this was 25 years ago, so to say this is a rare opportunity is a bit of an understatement. Think of it as a week-long Reuben Awards weekend. You do NOT need to be a member of the NCS to book this cruise, but you do have to book it through their travel partner. The date for this excursion is January 17-24 leaving from Orlando, FL with stops in Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.

Here’s the line-up as it stands today:

Not listed above but will be participating in some of the group events include Pulitzer Prize editorial cartoonists Michael Ramirez and Mike Luckovich, Bill Morrison (The Simpsons, Futurama) and Steve McGarry (Biographic, Kidtown, The Minions).

So, where do you sign up? First, you can get more information over at Reuben.org, but if you’re already convinced, head over to NCSCruise.com. But do me a favor. If you select “The Daily Cartoonist” in the drop down where it asks “How did you hear about us?” For each referral, I get a slight discount on my fare. My birthday lands on the second day of that cruise, so I’d appreciate your help getting me there.