Princess Cruises is giving back to the world in a big way. The Santa Clarita, California-based company is launching its “Cruising for a Cause” series in November 2013 with a cruise to support U.S. veterans. The voyage will feature a number of special guests including former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen (Ret.); retired senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force; an award-winning war correspondent; and other respected speakers, authors and panelists.
The groundbreaking cruise will raise funds for two respected veterans’ organizations - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. and Operation Homefront Inc. The voyage is expected to generate $1 million for the two charities.
The president and CEO of Princess, Alan Buckelew, a Vietnam veteran himself, will also be on board to host the cruise. He will be joined by special guests Admiral Mullen, former Army Chief of Staff General George Casey (Ret.), former Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz (Ret.), and former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead (Ret.), who will each host military branch gatherings throughout the voyage. The senior officers’ wives, Deborah Mullen, Sheila Casey, Suzie Schwartz and Ellen Roughead will take part in a panel discussion centered on the lives of military families and the changing roles and challenges of spouses before, during and after deployment.
In addition, guest lecturers on the cruise will include:
- Award-winning journalist and decorated combat correspondent Joe Galloway-- one of America’s premier war and foreign news reporters.
- Speaker and veterans’ advocate Justin Constantine who joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998 after graduating from law school. He left active duty in 2004, but two years later, as a Marine Reservist, volunteered for deployment to Iraq. While on a routine patrol, he was seriously wounded – shot in the head by a sniper. Thanks to the heroic efforts of a young Navy Corpsman and his own warrior spirit, Constantine is alive today and is a highly sought-after speaker and veteran’s advocate, spreading a message of awareness, courage and resiliency.
- The soldier who sent the message ending World War II in Europe, Gregory Melikian, who as a young sergeant with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces staff headquartered in France in 1945, Melikian was a telegraph operator under command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. At 3:30 p.m. on May 7, 1945, it was Melikian who was chosen to announce the unconditional surrender of Germany and the end of WWII in Europe.
Princess Cruises has been designated a commemorative partner with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, a national program conducted under the leadership of the Department of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The national program will include activities to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including those held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the U.S. and to thank and honor the families of these veterans. Princess Cruises will conduct activities to recognize Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service, valor and sacrifice throughout the sailing. To learn more about the national commemorative program, visit http://www.vietnamwar50th.com.
“This cruise will be a great vacation for veterans and patriots who support our veterans,” said Jim Knotts, CEO of Operation Homefront. “We’ll be able to honor the service of the members of our military and their families, who sacrifice daily to secure the freedoms we all enjoy. And the specially-themed entertainment onboard will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“This will be a wonderful time for military veterans and their families to enjoy some education, rest and relaxation,” said Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Founder and President Jan C. Scruggs.
The Western Caribbean cruise will sail November 5-9, 2013 roundtrip from Houston aboard Caribbean Princess, with a call at Progreso, Mexico. The four-day cruise will offer passengers the opportunity to honor those who have served in the military as well as active duty military personnel. In addition to the line-up of incredible military guests and speakers, there will be special performers, celebrities, unique topic panels and a military film festival. Princess will custom-design onboard activities such as a Stars and Stripes Sailaway, a military themed show, a Red, White and Blue Gala, game shows, trivia quizzes and more – to celebrate US veterans.
Cruise fares range from $549 to $1,649 per person based on double occupancy. A portion of each passenger’s cruise fare totaling approximately $500,000 will be matched by Princess Cruises for a total of $1 million earmarked for the two veterans’ organizations to share equally. As part of Princess’ ongoing Military Cruise Benefit Program, active and retired military personnel choosing to book this cruise will receive a $50 onboard credit.
Additional information about the special “Cruising for a Cause” sailing supporting U.S. veterans can be found at princess.com/cruisingforacause or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS.
View video for more about Operation Homefront.
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