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Celebrity Cruises announced that Nina Barough, CBE and founder of the UK-based charity “Walk the Walk,” will serve as Godmother of Celebrity Equinox.
On July 28 in Southampton, England, Barough will name the ship during a formal ceremony, closing by crashing a champagne bottle against the hull of the ship.
Celebrity chose Barough in recognition of her devotion to raising awareness of breast cancer and her success in raising funds through Walk the Walk’s “SunWalks” and “MoonWalks.”
“Nina is an outstanding leader, business person, and fundraiser, but what is perhaps most impressive, and certainly most inspiring, is her tireless devotion to breast cancer causes,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman of Celebrity Cruises and chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
A breast cancer survivor herself, Barough’s other life
achievements include receiving a CBE for her contributions to health
care through the British “New Year Honors” in December 2006.
“We are honored to have as Godmother of Celebrity Equinox someone whose work has benefited so many battling breast cancer, and whose personal triumph over the disease has inspired and encouraged thousands of women, men and families in the UK and beyond,” said Dan Hanrahan, Celebrity Cruises' president.
Barough was recognized at the “Pride of Britain Awards” in September 2008, where she was named “Fundraiser of the Year.” In October 2008, Barough was honored with the “Woman of the Year – Outstanding Achievement Award."
“I am extremely excited to serve as this fantastic ship’s Godmother, and look forward to presiding over such a meaningful and celebratory ceremony,” said Barough. “I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to raise the profile of our charity through my association with Celebrity Cruises, and very honored to name a vessel as gorgeous as Celebrity Equinox.”
Celebrity Equinox begins cruising on July 31 from Southampton on an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise and returns to Southampton to journey on the ship’s maiden voyage, departing August 8 for the Mediterranean.
The ship will go on a series of Mediterranean sailings from Rome through the fall and will offer Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning this upcoming winter.
visit www.celebritycruises.com.