Royal Caribbean has held the naming ceremony for its latest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, at Port Canaveral, Florida. In a ceremony fit for the world's newest wonder the ship was named by its Godmother and Wonder Mom Marie McCrea from Pennsylvania. The evening ceremony also marked the start of a new chapter for Wonder as it makes waves as Port Canaveral's new, year-round family vacation.
In the time-honored tradition of Godmother, Marie bestowed a blessing of safekeeping on Wonder of the Seas, its crew and the millions of families who will make lifelong memories on board in the years to come. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, joined the stage together with Marie daughter, Allie, who nominated her mother for the role as part of a nationwide search started by Royal Caribbean on Mother's Day.
"Wonder of the Seas exemplifies Royal Caribbean Group's focus on unparalleled innovation, sustainable cruise ship design and our commitment to delivering world-class, memorable vacations, responsibly," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "This milestone represents the culmination of millions of hours of work, from the most innovative minds in the industry, to deliver the world's latest wonder."
"It was an honor to officially welcome Marie, and Wonder of the Seas, to the Royal Caribbean family," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Marie's story is one of incredible strength and family memories to last a lifetime, and those are the types of memories we've committed to creating with our guests and crew on every Royal Caribbean ship for more than 53 years. Wonder is the adventure of all adventures that combines what families know and love on our revolutionary Oasis Class ships with brand-new experiences, and it's already delivered memorable vacations to more than 180,500 guests since first setting sail in March."
Wonder of the Seas is the latest in Royal Caribbean's world’s largest Oasis Class ships featuring a lineup of innovations and fan-favorite experiences that everyone in the family can enjoy. Highlights include the Suite Neighborhood, the new, eighth neighborhood that welcomes Royal Suite Class guests to an elevated Suite Sun Deck with a plunge pool and bar, the most epic Ultimate Family Suite and more; the first Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar that serves up Southern staples and classics with a twist for brunch, dinner and late at night; and a new, underwater-themed play area for kids, Wonder Playscape, with slides, climbing walls, imaginative puzzles and more.
"Carrying out my role as Godmother and a part of such an important moment for Royal Caribbean and Wonder of the Seas was such an honor," said Marie McCrea, Godmother of Wonder of the Seas. "Having my family by my side to celebrate this incredible ship was yet another memory we've made together – and with our new Royal Caribbean family – that I'll never forget."
