Royal Caribbean names ‘Oasis of the Seas
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MIAMI, Dec. 1, 2009 - Royal Caribbean International officiallynamed its newest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, yesterday, during anelaborate maritime celebration designed especially for the world’s largest andmost revolutionary cruise ship. Putting a new twist on one of maritime’slongest standing traditions, the global cruise line was honored to have notone, but seven celebrity godmothers - Gloria Estefan, Daisy Fuentes, ShawnJohnson, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Michelle Kwan, Jane Seymour and Dara Torres -preside over the festivities. The celebration took place throughout the sevensignature neighborhoods onboard Oasis of the Seas, culminating with thetraditional Champagne bottle breaking ceremonyfollowed by a fireworks display in the AquaTheater, the ship’s dazzlingoceanfront theater. Video of the event is available on the ship’s dedicatedwebsite, www.OasisOfTheSeas.com.
Marking the finale of 10 days of preview sailings, the namingceremony provided Royal Caribbean the opportunity to give back to thecommunity, doubling as a one-night inaugural celebration-fundraiser to benefitthe non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children withlife-threatening medical conditions. Celebrities including NBA legend MichaelJordan, Corbin Bleu of High School Musical and Olympicgymnast, Oasis godmother Shawn Johnson and Dancing With theStars professional dancer, Karina Smirnoff were in attendance,granting the wishes of several children that wanted to meet them. Royal Caribbean has enjoyed a long relationship withMake-A-Wish. Since 2000, the cruise line has hosted more than 1,300 childrenwho wished to go on a cruise to destinations around the world and hascontributed more than $2.8 million in in-kind services and $372,000 in discountsavings through its Wishes at Sea program. Through employee and guestfundraising efforts, Royal Caribbean has also raised more than $480,000 and460,000 frequent flier miles, used to secure airline tickets for children’swish travel and help the Make-A-Wish Foundation conserve critical financialresources. The cruise line donated 1,000 staterooms for this inaugural,once-in-a-lifetime event to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with all proceedsbenefiting the nonprofit organization.
As the ultimate expression of Royal Caribbean’s legacy ofimagination and innovation, Oasis of the Seas introduces unique industry”firsts” including a neighborhood concept - seven main themed areas providingguests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on theirpersonal style, preference or mood. Within these seven neighborhoods - CentralPark, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool & Sports Zone, Vitality at SeaSpa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone - are extraordinaryelements such as the first living park at sea; a thrilling zip line that racesdiagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium; an original handcraftedcarousel; 28 multilevel urban-style loft suites boasting floor-to-ceilingwindows; an amphitheater-style theater that serves as a pool by day and adazzling ocean front theater by night; and an array of epicurean innovationsthat allow for new culinary experiences each day of a guest’s cruise vacation.
Oasis of the Seas is the largestand most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel atsea, she spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis ofthe Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhoodconcept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk,the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and FitnessCenter, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Evergladesin Fort Lauderdale,Fla. Additional information is available at www.oasisoftheseas.com.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21ships currently in service and one under construction. The line also offersunique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai,Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent,visit www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL -CARIBBEAN. Travelprofessionals should go www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.
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