Cruise Talk Central

MIAMI (October 24, 2006) – Kathy Ireland, whose career path has taken her from the international runways of modeling to the boardroom of her own billion dollar business, has been named godmother of Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom, scheduled to launch European service in March 2007.

In her role as godmother, Kathy will break a ceremonial bottle of champagne across the ship’s bow during a naming ceremony scheduled to take place in Venice, Italy, March 4, 2007, immediately prior to a gala overnight reception for dignitaries and travel agents.

“Kathy Ireland is an excellent choice for the godmother of this magnificent new ship. Not only is she extremely successful as both a model and businesswoman, but she lends her support to a wide variety of charitable causes and philanthropic organizations,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. “We are proud and honored that Kathy will forever be associated with this spectacular SuperLiner,” he added.

“It is a great joy and honor to serve as godmother for this incredible ship. Carnival Freedom is a bold and beautiful salute to greatness and humanity. Our company shares the wonderful values of Carnival Cruise Lines. I admire their support of families and their incredible spirit of adventure. My heart will forever cherish this ship and every one of its passengers on the maiden voyage and on each and every sailing in the future,” Kathy said.

Kathy rose to fame as a supermodel in the 1980s, appearing on the covers of countless magazines, including Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Sports Illustrated. From there, she branched out into a wide range of highly successful business ventures.

Kathy is chief designer and CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a Los Angeles- based company whose mission is “…finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.”

Forbes Magazine reports that KIWW is a “design empire which grosses over one billion dollars annually in retail sales.” This year Newsweek reported, “Annual sales run to $1.4 billion.” KIWW products include flooring, rugs, home furniture, office and entertainment furniture, lighting, decorative accessories, window coverings, bedding, mattresses, candles, apparel, jewelry in partnership with Dame Elizabeth Taylor, blankets, leather, hand painted porcelain, fire resistant products, and top of bed fashions.

Her clothing line ranks as the seventh most popular in its category by Women’s Wear Daily and she was named “Business Woman of the Year” by the National Association of Women Business Owners.

A leading health and wellness advocate, Kathy currently serves as the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Ambassador for Women’s Health Issues and the organization’s Ambassador for the National Women’s Cancer Research Alliance. For these efforts, UCLA has named her one of the top 10 women’s health advocates in the U.S.

Active in the Special Olympics, Kathy also partners each year with Feed the Children on annual food and toy drives for underprivileged youth, and pioneered the first and only national wish-granting organization for terminally ill adults, the Dream Foundation.

Following the naming ceremony and overnight gala, Carnival Freedom will debut with a nine-day cruise to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles departing March 5, 2007, then operate a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean and Greek Isles voyages round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) March 14 - Oct. 16, 2007. Carnival Freedom will then sail a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Miami, positioning the vessel for the launch of year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from that port Nov. 17, 2007.

Carnival Freedom will feature a number of high-tech amenities, including “100 percent bow-to-stern” wireless Internet access, cellular phone service, and a 270-square-foot LED screen on Lido Deck displaying movies, concerts and other programming.

The ship will also house 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, Carnival’s signature “Twister Waterslide,” a 14,500-square-foot spa, and four dining venues, including two two-deck-high formal restaurants, a 1,400-seat casual poolside eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, and an elegant upscale supper club offering U.S.D.A. prime steaks and other gourmet cuisine.

Carnival is currently accepting reservations on all of Carnival Freedom’s European and Caribbean departures.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Categories: Cruise News
Tags: Carnival Cruises, Carnival Freedom, cruise ship building