Godmother's charity has raised $85 million for breast cancer causes
MIAMI, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Celebrity Cruises today announced
that Nina Barough, CBE (Commander of the British Empire), founder of the
UK-based charity, "Walk the Walk," will serve as Godmother of Celebrity
Equinox, the second in Celebrity's lauded Solstice Class fleet.
Barough will officially name the ship in Southampton, England, during the
formal naming ceremony July 29, culminating in a large bottle of champagne
custom-made by The Corning Museum of Glass crashing against the hull of the
2,850-guest ship.
Celebrity selected Barough in recognition of her fervent devotion to
raising awareness of breast cancer and her tremendous success in raising funds
for the cause -- $85-million to-date -- through Walk the Walk's "SunWalks" and
"MoonWalks." The four annual marathon walks in London, Edinburgh, Bristol and
Newcastle attract thousands of women typically clad in decorated bras -- the
signature apparel for most participants. A fair number of men also participate
in the walks.
"Nina is an outstanding leader, business person, and fundraiser, but what
is perhaps most impressive, and certainly most inspiring, is her tireless
devotion to breast cancer causes," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity
Cruises and Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
"We are honored to have as Godmother of Celebrity Equinox someone whose
work has benefited so many battling breast cancer, and whose personal triumph
over the disease has inspired and encouraged thousands of women, men and
families in the UK and beyond," said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan
Hanrahan.
A breast cancer survivor herself, Barough's numerous other life
achievements include receiving a CBE for her contributions to health care
through the British "New Year Honours" in December 2006. More recently, she
was recognized at the "Pride of Britain Awards" (September 2008), where she
was named "Fundraiser of the Year." And in October 2008, Barough was honored
once again; this time, with the "Woman of the Year - Outstanding Achievement
Award" in recognition of her willpower, spirit and courage.
"I am extremely excited to serve as this fantastic ship's Godmother, and
look forward to presiding over such a meaningful and celebratory ceremony,"
said Barough. "I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to raise the
profile of our charity through my association with Celebrity Cruises, and very
honored to name a vessel as gorgeous as Celebrity Equinox."
Celebrity Equinox enters service July 31 from Southampton on an
eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, then returns to Southampton to embark on
the ship's official maiden voyage departing August 8 for the Mediterranean.
The ship will present a series of Mediterranean sailings from Rome
(Civitavecchia) through the fall and will offer Caribbean sailings from Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., beginning this winter.
Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale vacation
experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and
extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California,
Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, the Pacific
Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour
vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the
top 10 "Top Cruise Ships in the World" in the large-ship category, as voted by
the readers of Conde Nast Traveler (February 2009 readers' poll), Celebrity's
fleet - including the new Celebrity Solstice - will be joined by Celebrity
Equinox this year, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in
2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information, call your travel agent, dial
1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.
SOURCE Celebrity Cruises
CONTACT: Elizabeth Jakeway, +1-305-539-6127,
ejakeway@celebritycruises.com, or Tavia Robb, +1-305-539-6721,
trobb@celebritycruises.com/
Web Site: http://www.celebritycruises.com
(RCL)
