How about a “W?”  That stands for “winner.” Carnival Cruise Line and the famous Wheel of Fortune game have joined forces to offer gaming adventures for cruise passengers.

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Wheel of Fortune slot machines featured aboard all Carnival ships and in casinos worldwide, Carnival and International Game Technology will reward players with free cruises and a variety of exciting giveaways throughout 2016.

The brands are also partnering with the most successful syndicated game show in television history, Wheel of Fortune, on a first-ever Carnival Cruise Line-themed week featuring an exciting viewer sweepstakes.

“Wheel of Fortune slots and Carnival cruises are synonymous with fun and excitement, so IGT’s partnership with Carnival Cruise Line provides the ideal way to celebrate 20 years of Wheel of Fortune slots,” said Victor Duarte, IGT global chief product officer, gaming. 

“We appreciate the continued partnership between Carnival Cruise Line and IGT.  Featuring Wheel of Fortune slots on all 24 Carnival cruise ships gives the games great exposure to millions of people, and has played a valuable role in helping IGT’s Wheel of Fortune slots become the most popular casino slot brand of all time,” Duarte said.

Winners will participate in the onboard Spin N Sail slot tournament featuring the IGT Wheel of Fortune slot machines exclusively during an eight-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Magic from Port Canaveral, Fla., in November 2016.

The $200,000 prize pool, provided by IGT, includes a $100,000 grand prize to be taken home by one lucky winner.  IGT customers across the U.S. and Canada will host qualifying events where winning players are awarded a free cruise for two and an entry into the grand finale $200,000 tournament.

“We’re also excited to offer a variety of special Wheel of Fortune-themed activities on board and be a part of Spin & Sail Week on this iconic show,” said Mike Hunssinger Turek, vice president of casino commercial operations for Carnival Cruise Line.

Introduced in 1996, the Wheel of Fortune slot machines have become a player favorite in shipboard casinos, including all 24 Carnival Cruise Line vessels, as well as in casinos on land.  IGT has placed more than 200 versions of Wheel of Fortune slots in casinos around the world, and the game has awarded more than $3 billion in jackpots and minted more than 1,000 millionaires.  Players enjoy how Wheel of Fortune slots capture the spirit and creativity of the popular television game show produced by Sony Pictures.

Throughout 2016, Carnival will also host a number of Wheel of Fortune-themed events across the fleet that will include special branded items and on-board activities and games every sailing, including the popular Wheel of Fortune scratch-off game where guests can win up to $30,000.

Additionally, each sailing will feature a Wheel of Fortune prize wheel offering a wide range of prizes, everything from Carnival logo items and Casino Cash to entry into the $200,000 Spin N Sail slot tournament.

The 20^th anniversary Wheel of Fortune slot festivities will also include a “Spin & Sail Week” with five Carnival Cruise Line-themed shows airing this spring on the iconic game show that inspired the slot machine. “Spin & Sail Week” airing March 21-25, 2016, will feature a custom, tropical-themed set with high-definition Carnival ship images and footage.

Contestants will be able to win Carnival cruises to a variety of exotic destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska.

In preparation for the broadcast, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the Wheel of Fortune crew went on location to shoot customized segments aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship.

The “Wheel of Fortune Spin & Sail Sweepstakes,” will encourage viewers to watch “Spin & Sail Week” on Wheel of Fortune and enter each night’s bonus puzzle solution at www.wheeloffortune.com.

Twenty winning entries will be selected, and the grand prize will be an eight-day Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Magic to be taken in November 2016 with a guaranteed spot in the Spin N Sail $200,000 slot tournament.

Photo of Pat Sajak and Vanna White aboard a Carnival ship courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

By Marie Poynter