Princess Cruises announces a groundbreaking cruise honoring U.S. veterans, which is expected to raise $1 million for two respected veterans’ organizations – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Operation Homefront.
The Western Caribbean cruise, sailing November 5 through November 9, 2013, roundtrip from Houston aboard Caribbean Princess, will feature special guests and onboard activities to celebrate veterans.
Princess President and CEO Alan Buckelew, a Vietnam veteran himself, will host the sailing. He will be joined by former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen (Ret.); 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.). The officers’ wives will take part in a panel discussion on military families.
Guest lecturers include:
Joe Galloway. Galloway is one of America’s premier war and foreign news reporters. Co-author of We Were Soldiers Once and Young, he reported for UPI during the Vietnam War and received the Bronze Star for carrying wounded soldiers to safety during the Battle of la Drang.
Justin Constantine. After law school, Constantine served six years in the U.S. Marines. In 2006, he volunteered for deployment to Iraq where he was shot in the head by a sniper. Thanks to the efforts of a Corpsman, he survived and today is a lecturer and veteran’s advocate.
Gregory Melikian. With Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces in France in 1945, Melikian was a telegraph operator under command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. At 3:30 p.m. May 7, 1945, he was chosen to announce the surrender of Germany and the end of WWII in Europe.
“As a veteran, I know that America’s warriors face immeasurable challenges during active duty and when they return home,” said Buckelew. I look forward to raising much-needed funds to assist these important veterans organizations.”
Cruise fares range from $549 to $1,649 per person based on double occupancy. A portion of each fare, totaling approximately $500,000, will be matched by Princess Cruises for a total of $1 million earmarked for the organizations to share equally. With Princess’ Military Cruise Benefit Program, active and retired military personnel booking this cruise will receive a $50 onboard credit.
“We thank Princess for honoring America’s military, past and present, and for supporting efforts to ensure their sacrifices and stories will be remembered,” said Jan C. Scruggs, VVMF’s founder and president. “
“Military families continue to make sacrifices after more than 10 years of war and America has been generous in its support,” said Jim Knotts, CEO of Operation Homefront. “This will be a great vacation for veterans and patriots who support them.”
The cruise launches Princess Cruises’ “Cruising for a Cause” initiative where the company will dedicate entire sailings to support select charitable causes. Additional information is available at www.princess.com/cruisingforacause or 1-800-PRINCESS.