NBC's 'TODAY' and Royal Caribbean International Announce Godmother for Freedom of the Seas

NBC's 'TODAY' and Royal Caribbean International Announce Godmother for Freedom of the Seas

Foster Mother, Katherine Louise Calder, to be Godmother of World's Largest Cruise Ship

NEW YORK, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Katherine Louise Calder, foster mother to over 400 children, has a new charge as Godmother of Royal Caribbean International's newest ship, Freedom of the Seas. In a live announcement made during the show's coverage of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, NBC's "TODAY" and Royal Caribbean revealed that Calder of Portland, Oregon received the most votes in the "Today Sets Sail" national Godmother search. Over 171,000 viewers nation-wide selected one of three finalists profiled on an earlier airing of "TODAY."

Putting a new twist on a long-standing maritime tradition, the cruise line sought an extraordinary "everyday" person to serve as the Godmother, as opposed to the customary choices of celebrities or dignitaries. Over the last 27 years, Calder has been a foster care provider for hundreds of special needs children, as well as an adoption advocate in the Portland area. Calder's long- time dedication to caring for such an under-served community makes her an ideal choice.

"Louise has demonstrated exceptional courage, determination, inspiration and dedication, embodying the woman we were looking for when we came up with the idea for this contest," said Adam Goldstein, president for Royal Caribbean International. "We are humbled and excited in equal measure to be able to bring recognition to someone who has selflessly given so much to so many."

The cruise line was so moved by the stories of Calder and her co- finalists, Ieta Kimbrough and Robyn Raphael, that it decided to award each of their charities with a $25,000 donation. As Godmother, Calder will participate in a live christening ceremony for Freedom of the Seas to be aired May 12 on "TODAY." Her status also guarantees her a free cruise for life on any Royal Caribbean ship once a year with the guest of her choice.

Calder will preside over the most exciting and innovative ship ever -- Freedom of the Seas will feature the first surfing simulator at sea, an interactive water park, two cantilevered whirlpools that extend 12 feet out from the sides of the ship and a pool deck with a dedicated sports pool that transforms into an open-air nightclub each night.

At 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in May 2006. The first in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class, she will sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Royal Caribbean's private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola. For more information or to make reservations, go to http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ or call (800) 327-6700.

Source: Royal Caribbean International

CONTACT: Tracy Quan, +1-305-539-6577, or tquan@rccl.com, or Lyan Sierra-
Caro, +1-305-539-4091, or lsierracaro@rccl.com, both of Royal Caribbean
International

Web site: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/

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