DAME JULIE ANDREWS NAMED GODMOTHER OF CRYSTAL CRUISES' CRYSTAL SERENITY
Legendary Entertainer to Christen New Cruise Ship on July 3, 2003
December 5, 2002
Manning Selvage & Lee
323.866.6000
dana.cohler@mslpr.com
heather.nevesky@mslpr.com
LOS ANGELES, December 5, 2002 -- Legendary entertainer Dame Julie Andrews has been named Godmother of Crystal Cruises' /third ship, Crystal Serenity, which premieres in July 2003. As Godmother, Ms. Andrews joins an elite group of royalty and heads of state, such as Queen Elizabeth, Margaret Thatcher and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Ms. Andrews will christen Crystal Serenity into service with the time-honored tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne against the ship's hull at the port of Southampton, U.K. on July 3, 2003. In conjunction with the christening, Crystal Cruises will honor Ms. Andrews with a fundraising gala aboard Crystal Serenity benefiting her chosen charity.
"As a world renowned performer, Ms. Andrews' remarkable career has solidified her stature as an international legend and secured her place in the hearts of generations of fans around the world," said Gregg Michel, president, Crystal Cruises. "Her refined sense of style, elegance and immense talent are so closely aligned with Crystal's reputation that she is the perfect choice for Crystal Serenity's Godmother. It is a joy and honor for everyone at Crystal Cruises to have Ms. Andrews send our glorious new ship into service."
An Academy Award® and two-time Golden Globe Winner, Ms. Andrews' distinguished career includes beloved roles in the classic films The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Victor/Victoria, Thoroughly Modern Millie, S.O.B., and 10, to mention a few. Most recently, she starred in Disney's hugely successful The Princess Diaries. On stage, she created the title role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Guinevere in Camelot, and returned to Broadway in 1994 to star in the stage version of Victor/Victoria. Proving her success in all mediums of entertainment, Ms. Andrews has also been nominated for several Tony and Emmy Awards, as well as a Grammy. In addition to her accomplishments in film, television, stage and recording, she has penned several best-selling children's books such as Mandy, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, Little Bo, and the Dumpy the Dump Truck series co-written with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton.
Ms. Andrews' newest role as Crystal Serenity's Godmother is just one part of her busy year. The actress is currently filming two television movies based on the popular Eloise books, Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime. Next year, she will also begin filming the follow up to the Princess Diaries. In addition, the "Julie Andrews Collection" will be launched as a publishing imprint at Harper Collins, which will include books written by Ms. Andrews and her daughter Emma, as well as discovering new authors and out-of-print gems worthy of resurrection.
The tradition of ship christenings can be traced as far back as the third millennium B.C. From the early Vikings to the Greeks and Romans and later through the Middle Ages, the blessing of a ship has always been an important precursor to a ship's maiden voyage. These roots have led to the more traditional practice of breaking a bottle across the ship's hull before its first sail.
Crystal Cruises' two current ships - Crystal Harmony, which was christened in 1990 by Mary Tyler Moore and Crystal Symphony, christened in 1995 by Angela Lansbury - have redefined luxury cruising. The cruise line has been continuously rated as having the top ships and offering the best service. For seven consecutive years, Crystal Cruises has been named best large-ship line in readers' surveys conducted by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.
Crystal Serenity, the third ship in Crystal Cruises' award-winning Six-Star fleet, will continue the tradition of luxury appointments and service, offering one of the highest guest to space ratios in the industry, the best in fine dining, featuring partnerships with internationally acclaimed restaurants Valentino and Nobu, as well as a Feng Shui designed spa. The long anticipated Crystal Serenity will build upon the best of the fleet and expand Crystal's travel itineraries, allowing the line to visit all seven
continents next year.
Quality choices have been Crystal's signature since the line's inception in 1988. Expanding on its award-winning formula for luxury ship cruising, Crystal Cruises is adding more of its most successful features to Crystal Serenity. At 1,080 guests and 68,000 tons, this elegant vessel will offer more dining venues, more penthouse accommodations, more staterooms with verandahs, more entertainment lounges, and more fitness options, among other features.
Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents. For a complimentary 2003 Cruise Guide, please call 800-820-6663. Visit the luxury liner's website at www.crystalcruises.com.