This winter, Cunard Line hosted Rona Barrett aboard Queen Victoria's Hawaiian Adventure voyage, during which she performed two exclusive, at-sea performances of her one-woman show, "Rona Barrett: Nothing But the Truth," as part of the Cunard Insight enrichment programme. After performances, which received standing ovations, Barrett discussed her career and her current mission to assist seniors through her foundation, in support of which Cunard has donated $5,000 to her foundation.
Barrett, who revolutionized entertainment reporting and publishing in the United States, created "Nothing But the Truth," to raise funds to build The Golden Inn & Cottages, a pilot facility that can be built throughout the United States to offer affordable housing and care for senior citizens. Following the show's debut last summer, June 2010, at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, she was asked to abridge the show exclusively for Queen Victoria's current voyage.
On the Hawaiian Adventure voyage, cruisers travel roundtrip from Los Angeles, departing February 17, on two weeks, touring the Hawaiian islands, including Hilo (Hawaii), Honolulu (Oahu), Nawiliwili (Kauai) and Lahaina (Maui), and Ensenada, Mexico. Once the ship returns to the Port of Los Angeles, she will meet her sister ship, Queen Mary, for the first time during a Cunard Royal Rendezvous in Long Beach Harbor.
During her career, Barrett created the first in-depth TV specials about celebrities in film, television, music, sports and politics, and published a series of magazines on the entertainment industry for consumers and industry insiders. An original reporter for "Good Morning America" on ABC, she is also credited with setting the stage for Barbara Walters and other entertainment reporters.
Performing on Queen Victoria, Barrett follows Cunard's history of performers, including activist and cleric Archbishop Desmond Tutu, pilot and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, as well as the talk-show host and author of The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown, journalist and writer Sir Harold Evans and musician James Taylor. Queen Victoria's "American Season" will run through March 18, featuring calls to Los Angeles, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and one "Getaway" voyage to Mexico.
The third largest Cunarder ever created, Queen Victoria made her debut in December 2007 at 90,000, capable of accommodating 2,000 passengers. On board, guests can enjoy the Royal Court Theatre, featuring the first viewing boxes at sea, and the ship's signature two-story library, with a spiral staircase and almost 6,000 volumes.
Barrett said, “Not only has it been an honor to be sailing aboard this majestic liner and performing for the guests on board, I’m overwhelmed by the kind support and generosity shown to me and my foundation by Cunard Line."
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