BEIJING, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal
Caribbean International today announced that
internationally-acclaimed Chinese actress, Fan Bingbing, will be
the Godmother for Ovation of the Seas, the world's newest
and most technologically advanced cruise ship. The announcement was
made by Dr. Zinan Liu, President, Royal Caribbean International -
China and North Asia Pacific, at a press conference at
the Great Hall of People in Beijing. Bingbing is the first Chinese
celebrity selected to be the Godmother of an international cruise
line and will officially name Ovation of the Seas at the
ship's inaugural ceremony in Tianjin,
China on June 24, 2016.
The second Quantum-class ship to be deployed in China, Ovation of the Seas, will sail
its inaugural season from Tianjin
after a one month mini season from Hong
Kong before the ship repositions to its winter homeport in
Australia in December 2016.
"We are delighted to welcome Fan Bingbing to the Royal Caribbean
family as Ovation of the Seas' godmother," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal
Caribbean International. "Bingbing is number one on the Forbes
China 'Celebrity 100' list and has held that top position for three
years making her one of the most influential Chinese stars and in
the world. She has received awards from many international film
festivals and is recognized as a fashion icon for her extraordinary
style on the red carpet, at movie premieres and iconic fashion
events. She is innovative, smart, ambitious, trendy and
elegant, and that makes Bingbing the perfect person to be selected
as the Godmother of our newest ship."
"My father was a singer in the art troupe of the Political
Department of the Navy in China.
My childhood was filled with the melodies of the sea and I often
dreamed about sailing out to sea for an adventure," said Fan
Bingbing at the press conference. "Now, thanks to this invitation
from Royal Caribbean, my dreams will come true. I am really honored
to be the first Godmother of Chinese nationality for such a
prestigious international cruise line as Royal Caribbean
International. And I like the name of Ovation of the Seas
which in Chinese is interpreted as 'praising the world and
welcoming guests from everywhere'. As Godmother of Ovation of
the Seas, I would like to invite more international guests to
cruise from China on Ovation of
the Seas."
The role of Godmother is a lifetime title bestowed upon an
individual, who figuratively presides over the ship and imparts
good luck and divine protection over the vessel and all that sail
aboard. Traditionally, Godmothers have celebrity status or even
royal connections. Godmothers for Royal Caribbean ships have
included, performer Gloria Estefan,
actress Jane Seymour,
comedian/actress Whoopi Goldberg and tennis champion Steffi Graf, to name a few.
Ovation of the Seas and her sister ship, Quantum of
the Seas are both Quantum class ships built with the most
advanced technologies. The Quantum-class features unprecedented
first-at-sea features and amenities, including the North Star, an
observation capsule that gently rises more than 300 feet in the air
to treat guests to breath-taking panoramic views; thrilling
skydiving and surfing experiences; Two70, a daily social space
which transforms into a multifunctional entertainment place at
night; SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, that
features basketball, roller skating, bumper cars and other
entertainment. There are 18 restaurants onboard with a variety of
cuisines to choose from. The unique loft suites offer the most
luxurious accommodations at sea, and Virtual Balcony staterooms are
interior accommodations with large digital screens displaying
real-time views which ensure that every room has a view.
Ovation of the Seas was officially delivered on
April 8th 2016 and will
sail from Southampton, United
Kingdom for Tianjin, China
on a 52-day Global Odyssey. She will begin her first homeport
sailing season in China from
Tianjin in June 2016. Ovation of the Seas, together
with Quantum of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the
Seas and Legend of the Seas, will make up the largest
fleet of any cruise line sailing in China.
Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise
brand with a 46-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry
"firsts" never before seen at sea. The cruise line features
an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only
found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style
entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to
families and adventurous vacationers alike. Onboard, guests are
catered to with the cruise line's world-renowned friendly and
engaging Gold Anchor Service by every staff and crew member. Royal
Caribbean has been voted "Best
Cruise Line Overall" for 13 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly
Readers Choice Awards.
The cruise line sails 24 of the world's most innovative cruise
ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South
America, Asia, and
Australia and New Zealand. Media can stay up-to-date by
following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting
RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to
make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent;
visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
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SOURCE Royal Caribbean