Rosie O’Donnell Anointed Norwegian Pearl's Godmother

Following in the footsteps of Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan and Sophia Loren, Rosie O'Donnell was announced today as the godmother of the Norwegian Pearl. The poular talk show host of ABC's morning show "The View" will christen NCL’s newest cruise ship in a ceremony at the Port of Miami on Saturday, December 16 at 5 p.m. The Norwegian Pearl is the newest cruise ship offered by NCL and will be the first-ever ship to feature a bowling alley.

Norwegian Cruise Line has also donated the use of Norwegian Pearl to O’Donnell’s charity, Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation, for a one-night charity event on Friday, December 15. Guests onboard the one-night cruise will enjoy an evening of culinary delights, a Broadway-style show in the Stardust Theater with O’Donnell and guest entertainers direct from Broadway performing, a comedy show by popular comedy troupe Second City and a sail-away cocktail party on the pool deck.

“We are so pleased that Rosie will serve as Godmother of Norwegian Pearl,” said Colin Veitch, NCL Corporation’s president and CEO. “Rosie is a talented entertainer and dedicated philanthropist, and both these qualities will be front and center during the christening and charity event of Norwegian Pearl. We will raise a lot of money for her charitable foundation, which will allow her to expand on the broad range of work already undertaken to improve the quality of life for children all over America.”

NCL will donate the use of Norwegian Pearl, inclusive of all food, beverage and shipboard entertainment for the one-night event with 100 percent of the ticket revenue being given to the charity. “After chartering four ships with NCL, I have experienced the innovative product and exemplarily service of the crew first hand so I’m very proud to serve as Godmother of the company’s newest ship -- Norwegian Pearl,” O’Donnell said. “I’m also thrilled we will be using Norwegian Pearl for a cause that is very close to my heart – helping disadvantaged children. It is the perfect venue to raise money for children in need around the country.”

The 93,500-ton Norwegian Pearl, which will be delivered to NCL on November 28, is the ninth new ship in six years for NCL and continues the company’s plan to completely renew its fleet and by 2010, will feature the youngest fleet in the industry. Norwegian Pearl is the latest edition of the line’s innovative Jewel-class ships boasting an industry first – a four-lane ten-pin bowling alley; and two NCL firsts -- a rock-climbing wall and two top-of-the-ship Deluxe Owner’s Suites on deck 15.

Just like her sisters –Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel and Pride of Hawaii -- Norwegian Pearl will accommodate 2,400 guests, and features all the elements of NCL’s dynamic modern Freestyle Cruising fleet including multiple restaurants, lively public rooms, versatile, family-friendly accommodations and NCL’s sizzling new style of accommodations - Courtyard Villas - which along with each ship’s two Garden Villas make up the biggest, most luxurious and innovative suite complexes at sea.

After a series of inaugural events in Europe and Miami, the ship will sail two seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean (Eastern and Western) beginning Dec. 22, 2006. On January 5, 2007, Norwegian Pearl features its innovative five and nine-day Western and Southern Caribbean schedule. Ports of call on the five-day Western Caribbean itinerary include stops in Cozumel, Mexico and Belize City, Belize. The nine-day Southern Caribbean route includes calls in Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John’s, Antigua and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

I will have the opportunity to see the Norwegian Pearl first hand for a travel-agent only 2-night cruise on December 16 to the 18th. I will post a full report after I come back from this cruise.