MIAMI, Nov. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- It's official: Royal Caribbean International celebrated its newest game-changing ship, Odyssey of the Seas, during the ship's naming ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Caribbean-inspired occasion culminated in the moment Odyssey's Godmother and the first Bahamian paratriathlete to compete in the Paralympic Games qualifiers, Erin Brown, bestowed a blessing of safekeeping on the ship and all those who sail on it for decades to come.
A celebration of adventure took place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as Royal Caribbean International officially named its newest game-changing ship - Odyssey of the Seas. Watch as Erin Brown, the ship’s Godmother and the first Bahamian paratriathlete to compete in the Paralympic Games qualifiers, is joined by the cruise line’s crew members, executives and guests as she bestows a blessing of safekeeping on Odyssey and all those who sail on it for decades to come. Like its boundary-breaking Godmother...
Overview B-roll of Odyssey of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International celebrated its new game-changing ship, Odyssey of the Seas, during the ship’s naming ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, Nov. 13. Erin Brown, Odyssey’s Godmother and the first Bahamian paratriathlete to compete in the Paralympic Games qualifiers, bestowed a blessing of safekeeping on the ship and all those who sail on it for decades to come.
From left to right: Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain, Odyssey of the Seas Godmother Erin Brown, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley and Captain Sindre Borsheim of Odyssey. To celebrate Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Odyssey of the Seas, the cruise line held a Caribbean-inspired naming ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Brown, the first Bahamian paratriathlete to compete in the Paralympic Games qualifiers, bestowed a blessing of safekeeping on the ship.
The new Odyssey of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s latest game-changing ship, sports a new look and a combination of new and first-to-brand adventures. Guests of all ages can choose from a lineup of experiences, such as a top deck full of thrills. Highlights include the skydiving simulator, RipCord by iFly; simulated surfing on FlowRider; Sky Pad, the virtual reality, bungee trampoline adventure; and SeaPlex, the largest indoor and outdoor activity complex at sea.
It’s game on for multigenerational families and guests of all ages alike in the next-generation SeaPlex on board Odyssey of the Seas. The largest indoor and outdoor activity complex at sea debuts its first Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and features an array of activities. From bumper cars and the first fully immersive, 4D virtual reality experience at sea to new and classic arcade games, there’s something for every traveler to enjoy.
Brown was joined on board by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley. The occasion also marked a historic moment for the decades-long Godmother tradition as Brown becomes the cruise line's first Bahamian Godmother.
"Today, we get to show the world what imagination and determination look like when they come together," said Fain. "All of what our teams have done over the past 20 months has led us to this moment when we can finally show the innovation and beauty of Odyssey of the Seas."
A 17-year change agent for those living with disabilities in The Bahamas, Brown is a mother and cancer survivor. The life-long athlete was diagnosed with stage 4 osteosarcoma – bone cancer – in 2004. It was more than a year later, after receiving treatment, when Brown made the decision to amputate her leg above the knee. Having watched her own mother battle lupus linked to cancer for five years, Odyssey's Godmother was determined to come back stronger than ever for herself, her family and others who could be inspired to fight. Brown went on to become the first Bahamian paratriathlete to train in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and compete in a Paralympic Games qualifier. In addition to her athletic achievements, Brown is a longtime advocate for those living with disabilities and works at the University of The Bahamas as the compliance officer and counselor championing the increase of access and opportunities for students living with disabilities.
"It's our honor to welcome Erin as our first Bahamian Godmother," said Bayley. "She is an incredible individual who pushes to change the status quo, making her the perfect choice for a ship as innovative as Odysseyof the Seas. It's also fitting because The Bahamas has been our great partner and neighbor since Royal Caribbean first set sail to the islands more than 50 years ago."
Royal Caribbean cruises have visited The Bahamas and the Caribbean for 52 years and counting. Year after year, guests of all ages can set sail to explore the regions' stunning destinations. In June, The Bahamas was where Royal Caribbean's first cruise back in the western hemisphere set sail after more than a 15-month pause.
On full display during the official naming ceremony was Odyssey itself. The first Quantum Ultra Class ship in North America features a combination of new, thrilling experiences and signature adventures guests know and love. Highlights include a vibrant resort-style pool deck inspired by the Caribbean, the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Teppanyaki, the restaurant serving up Far East flavors and making its North America debut; and one-of-a-kind entertainment that pushes the bounds of imagination in the high-tech venue Two70 and the Royal Theater.
"I am immensely grateful to have been selected as Godmother to Odyssey of the Seas," said Brown. "As a proud Bahamian, it is an honor to also represent The Bahamas and share my story with so many others. My experiences have empowered me to reinvent myself and transform my life, and I'm committed to helping ensure others can do the same."
This winter and early 2022, Odyssey is welcoming families and travelers of all ages on 6-night and 8-night cruises to the eastern, western and southern Caribbean as well as the cruise line's private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In April 2022, the new, innovative ship will head to its summer home in Rome to sail along the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean.
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveller. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards.
Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
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