By Yanet Obarrio Sanchez….
Nearly 2,300 community and business leaders joined United Ways of Broward and Miami-Dade on Nov. 28-29, for a charity cruise aboard Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Allure of the Seas, raising $1.3 million to help improve lives throughout Broward and Miami-Dade communities.
In addition, $100,000 from the proceeds has been awarded to Royal Caribbean International’s education efforts in Haiti.
Among the highlights of the overnight cruise was the much-anticipated announcement of the ship’s godmother. During the naming ceremony, a larger-than-life Princess Fiona, from DreamWorks Animation’s film series Shrek, was unveiled as the first-ever 3-D animated godmother.
Colleen and Richard Fain of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Lady Monica Heftler, and Cheryl and Adam Goldstein of Royal Caribbean International served as honorary event co-chairs. Event co-chairs included Cesar Alvarez of Greenberg Traurig PA; Mike Jackson of AutoNation; Bill Mahoney of Mahoney & Associates, and Tom Shea of Right Management.
“We appreciate the generous support of all our sponsors, led by Cesar Alvarez and Greenberg Traurig, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra. Their caring translates into real help and hope for thousands in our community,” said Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade. “And once again, we are so grateful to the Royal Caribbean family for its extraordinary generosity and leadership. This charity cruise was an incredible gift to our two communities.”
In addition to the naming ceremony, guests aboard the charity cruise enjoyed around-the-clock entertainment, including receptions, theatrical performances and some of the most creative and innovative amenities afloat at sea.
Top sponsors include Cesar Alvarez and Greenberg Traurig, PA; Miccosukee Resort & Gaming; Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra LLP; Aetna; AutoNation; Lady Monica Heftler, and New York Life/Mahoney & Associates. Additional sponsors include: ABB Concise; Jayne and Leonard Abess; AECOM; Akerman Senterfitt; Amadeus North America; American Airlines; ANF Group Inc.; Baltic Linen Co Inc.; Bank of America; Baptist Health South Florida; Bunny Bastian; BB&T; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida; Cisco Systems; Cisneros; City National Bank; Coventry Health Care of Florida; Ernst & Young; Eulen America; Flagler Development Group; Kira and Neil Flanzraich; FPL FiberNet; FreshPoint; Hewlett-Packard Company; Holland & Knight; JM Family Enterprises Inc.; Kongsberg Maritime Inc.; KPMG International; Philip Levine; Meru Networks; Mainline Information Systems; MTN Satellite Communications; Northern Trust; Nova Southeastern University; Odebrecht; Perry Ellis International; Sabre Travel Network; Signature Grand; South Florida Business Journal; Steiner Transocean Limited; STX Business Group; The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald; Under the Radar, Chicago; Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company; Wartsila North America Inc, and Zuni Transportation Inc.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 ships currently in service and two under construction. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit <www.royalcaribbean.com> or call 1-800-ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
