Helping to Make Wishes Come True for The Make-A-Wish Foundation
Online, September 14, 2009 (Newswire.com) - PHOENIX - Sept. 2, 2009 - For Immediate Release - When Royal Caribbean International® officially launches the Oasis of the Seas - the world's most revolutionary cruise ship - on Nov. 30 from Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the renowned cruise line will be doing more than making wishes come true for eager vacationers ... they will be making more wishes come true for Make-A-Wish® children from across the country.
Royal Caribbean has donated 1,000 staterooms for this inaugural, once-in-a-lifetime event to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The proceeds from all sales will benefit the nonprofit organization, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Wish kids - some having their wishes granted onboard that evening - and their families will participate in the onboard festivities and enjoy the ship's entertainment amenities.
The event symbolizes Royal Caribbean's ongoing support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since 2000, the cruise line has hosted more than 1,300 children who wished to go on a cruise to destinations around the world.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean has contributed more than $2.8 million in in-kind services and $372,000 in discount savings through its Wishes at Sea program. Through employee and passenger fundraising efforts, it has also raised more than $480,000 and 460,000 frequent flier miles, used to secure airline tickets for children's wish travel and help the Foundation conserve critical financial resources.
"The generosity of sponsors like Royal Caribbean has greatly enhanced our ability to grant life-affirming, world-class wishes and is critical to the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring hope, strength and joy into the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. "We hope that people across the nation will support the Foundation by joining us for this special inaugural cruise celebration and fundraising effort, enabling us to bring smiles to the faces of even more children - children who are waiting for wishes."
A magical evening, the one-night cruise will not only share the power of a wish®, but be highlighted by the official christening and naming ceremony, hosted by the godmother of the ship (an honor reserved for heads of state, politicians and celebrities, who give ships their names and serve as guiding spirits).
Oasis of the Seas' exciting onboard amenities will be open for guests' enjoyment, including two rock-climbing walls, the first zip line on a cruise ship, two FlowRider surf simulators and four unique types of pools in the Pool and Sports Zone. Guests also can make an appointment for a rejuvenating session in the Vitality Spa, then go for a ride on the only carousel at sea in the Boardwalk neighborhood before taking in an acrobatic diving show in the AquaTheater. A special dinner menu will be featured in the Opus Dining Room and certain event packages will provide guests a chance to experience one of the ship's specialty restaurants. After dinner, guests can enjoy a spectacular theatrical production in the Opal Theater; catch side-splitting comics in Comedy Live; relax in one of the ship's many lounges; and join in world-class gaming in the Casino Royale.
Anyone interested in attending the Nov. 30 festivities can reserve a stateroom by contacting Cynthia Paez, Royal Caribbean International, at 877-202-1520, ext. 12751, or by e-mailing her at cpaez@rccl.com, Monday- Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
When it launches in November 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, it will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line's new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.oasisoftheseas.com.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 38 ships in service and five under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaracruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.