Royal Caribbean International Sets Sail to “Destination Joy”

Royal Caribbean International will be participating Destination Joy the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s annual summer program raising money for the Foundation during various events scheduled throughout the fleet during the month of June.

“We are proud to take part in Destination Joy to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation make every child’s wish come true,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Our company is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, and this includes the amazing work the Make-A-Wish Foundation does for children facing life-threatening medical conditions to give them hope, strength and joy.”

Throughout June, Make-A-Wish donation cards will be available on all of Royal Caribbean International’s 20 ships. Guests will be able to donate any amount they choose, and their donation will appear as an onboard charge.

Along with the donation cards, guests will be able to participate in auctions where they can bid on unique onboard experiences, such as an opportunity to be on a ship’s bridge and blow the whistle while it departs a port, a behind-the-scenes galley tour and lunch with the ship’s executive chef, and many other priceless experiences.

In addition, guests can also participate in the line’s Walk for Wishes program, where guests make a donation, get an “I walked for Wishes” t-shirt and walk a mile with the ship’s staff and officers to raise funds. In 2008, Royal Caribbean raised more than $450,000 through the generosity of guests and crew.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories.