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Wanna know what’s hot right now? Hint: It’s not potatoes – it’s cruising. New data from the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia reveals one in three Aussies are planning to go on a cruise in 2026, with younger travellers leading the charge. Perfect timing then that one of the world’s biggest cruise lines is setting sail with a series of Wiggles-themed cruises across summer 2026/27. The best part? Kids named Dorothy, Henry and Shirley are invited to sail for free.
Alongside the boom in cruising, retro children’s names are having a serious comeback, with new data showing 36 per cent of parents are considering vintage names for their children in 2026. To celebrate the throwback trend, Royal Caribbean is welcoming kids named Dorothy, Henry and Shirley to join its Wiggles-themed cruises for free. Of course, this is a nod to the show’s iconic characters Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn, who’ll also be on board.
Starting in late 2026, families can jump aboard one of three Wiggles cruises departing from Sydney and Brisbane. You and the fam can kick off summer with a short getaway to Airlie Beach with fan favourites Tsehay Hawkins (Yellow Wiggle) and the Tree of Wisdom; set sail to Hobart with Lucia Field (Blue Wiggle); or discover the best of the tropical South Pacific on a one-week cruise with Caterina Mete (Red Wiggle) and Evie Ferris (Yellow Wiggle).
Nearly half of Aussies (44 per cent) know a child named Dorothy, Henry or Shirley, so there’s a good chance one of your friends' kids could score a free cruise. As for the fine print, eligible Australian children must be six years old and the offer applies to the first 50 cabins booked between January 14 and 28 here.