The past few years have seen cruise lines take a beating to their public images, as disasters like the Costa Concordia made headlines and caused people to rethink taking a cruise vacation, which has led to cruise lines trying many different themes, gimmicks and celebrities to get passengers to board the ships, and now they are adding the National Football League to that list, according to the New York Times.

Carnival Cruise Lines has "scored the new title of Official Cruise Partner of the New Orleans Saints," according to a press release. The cruise company will sponsor contests and promotions aimed at fans of the New Orleans Saints as well as other National Football League audiences, both in-stadium and on social media.

Among the available prizes are free tickets to a game, autographed Saints merchandise and the chance to win a free cruise.

On November 17, Carnival will sponsor the "American All-Star Tribute," a halftime tribute at a home game that will be played against the San Francisco 49ers. The game will feature the newest inductees into the Hall of Fame, among them La'Roi Glover, a former defensive tackle, as well as the arrival of the Carnival sunshine into New Orleans. The ship recently completed a makeover that cost $155 million and is scheduled to make a seven-day voyage to the Caribbean that will be setting off from New Orleans.

Currently, Anheuser-Busch is preparing for Super Bowl XL VI, which will take place in New Work in February 2014. Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that the large beer corporation has charted a ship, the Getaway, for the week that will lead up to the game, scheduled for February 2. That week, the ship will be temporarily renamed the Bud Light Hotel. The ship will have rooms reserved for the company's guests. Last year, it also featured performances from musicians such as Stevie Wonder.