Disney’s ‘Suite Life’ Takes To The Seas

Disney Channel’s star twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse will trade the comforts of a cozy hotel for a luxury liner cabin in Disney’s new series The Suite Life On Deck.

The Sprouse twins will reprise their roles as the mischievous twin brothers Zack and Cody Martin in The Suite Life On Deck, an offshoot of Disney’s popular live-action series Suite Life Of Zack and Cody. In the new series, the twins enroll in a semester-at-sea program aboard a cruise ship. Also joining the On Deck cast are Suite Life cast members Brenda Song (London Tipton) and Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby).  

Not returning to the new series are High School Musical 2 star Ashley Tisdale, who plays candy counter clerk Maddie Fitzpatrick on the Suite Life Of Zack and Cody, and Kim Rhodes, who played the role of the twins’ mother Carey Martin in the series. 

Disney Channel executives did not say when The Suite Life On Deck would premiere.

Since its debut in 2005, Suite Life of Zack and Cody has been one of the most popular series on Disney, averaging 2.5 million total viewers over 88 telecasts.

“Our audience has shown us that after 88 episodes, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody remains one of their favorite sitcoms ever,” said Gary Marsh, president, entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, in a statement. “We decided to find a new way for Zack, Cody, London and Mr. Moseby to live The Suite Life in a whole new setting -- this time aboard a luxury cruise liner.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.