Mexico: Top tattoo artists go all splashy on ink cruise to Cozumel

Tattoo lovers, your ship is about to sail. A cruise from Florida to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in April will feature an onboard Tattoo Alley where you can get new body art done by artists such as Tatu Baby from the TV show “Ink Master” and Amy Nicoletto of “LA Ink.”

The trip, billed as Ink or Swim, claims to be the “first-ever” tattoo-themed cruise in North America and comes with the pedigree of being produced by tattoo-lifestyle magazine Rebel Ink. Tattoo competitions (best original and best nautical), a burlesque show, free portraits and a beach party in Cozumel are some of the exclusives that come with the tattoo cruise.

“From new reality shows to a growing celebrity status amongst artists, ink culture in this country has grown significantly, with recent polls suggesting nearly 20% of Americans have a least one tattoo,” Paul Gambino, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, said Tuesday in a statement about the cruise.

The five-day trip sails April 16 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Cozumel aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. Guests who sign up before Dec. 1 receive a $150 credit ($100 credit after that date) for a fresh tattoo from one of the artists on board. The roster also includes Sarah Miller of Wyld Child Tattoo Shop in Pittsburgh; Mark Longenecker of Endless Summer Tattoo in Cocoa Beach, Fla.; and Chris Torres of Red Legged Devils Studio in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Cabin prices begin at $970 a person, based on double occupancy, and include tattoo-themed activities and exclusive events as well as the usual entertainment aboard the Royal Caribbean ship.

Info: Ink or Swim cruise aboard Royal Caribbean