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Royal Caribbean International(R) to Launch World's Most Revolutionary Cruise Ship and Help Make Wishes Come True
100 Percent of Stateroom Sales to Benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) From Nov. 30 Oasis of the Seas(SM) Inaugural Celebration
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - October 28, 2009) - When Royal Caribbean International®
officially launches the Oasis of the Seas -- the world's most revolutionary
cruise ship -- on Nov. 30 from Port Everglades, 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.
Per-person rates for the Make-A-Wish event begin at $750 each (based on
double-occupancy) and up, depending on cabin package. Per-person rates for
the extended four-day cruise begin at $650 each and up (again based on
double-occupancy and cabin package).
"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
Norm Wedderburn, president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish
Foundation of Southern Florida®. "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).
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 port Everglades, its home port. Additional information is
available at www.oasisoftheseas.com.
Anyone interested in attending the Nov. 30 festivities (and booking the
exclusively discounted four-night cruise to Labadee departing Dec. 1)
should contact 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. Event attendance and the discounted
four-night cruise package are available only through Paez.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida has granted more than 7,000
local wishes since its inception in 1983. The organization enriches the
human experience with hope, strength, and joy for families in Broward,
Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade,
Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties. The average cost
to fulfill a wish is $5,000. For more information, to make a donation,
refer a child, or volunteer, call the Make-A-Wish Foundation at (888)
773-WISH or visit www.sfla.wish.org.