Tracy
Wilson Mourning, whose lifelong ambition to help others inspired her
to establish the Honey Shine mentoring program for
young
girls a decade ago, has been selected to serve as godmother
of Carnival
Cruise Lines’
newest ship, Carnival Breeze.
A
noted motivational speaker and author, Mourning will preside over the
traditional naming ceremony on
boardthe 130,000-ton ship while it is docked at its
homeport of PortMiami on Dec. 8, 2012. The invitation-only event will
also include a $25,000 donation from Carnival Cruise Lines to
the Honey Shine program.
Embodying
her credo of “Be Comfortable Being You,” Mourning founded the
Honey Shine mentoring program in 2002 as a way to make a difference
in the lives of young girls by pairing them with female role models
in the community. Through a combination of classroom training,
spiritual education and collaborative experiences, Honey Shine’s
goal is to empower young
women and create future leaders in our
communities, fulfilling the organization’s mission of “Inspiring
Young Girls To Shine As Women.” In addition to the Honey
Shine program, she and her husband, NBA legend Alonzo Mourning,
donate much of their time to a variety of other philanthropic causes
that benefit the youth of South Florida.
“Tracy
is a hero in our community and with Miami serving as our headquarters
since our inception 40 years ago, I can think of no better choice as
godmother of the new Carnival Breeze,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival
president and CEO. “Tracy’s passion, commitment to serving others
and desire to help make South Florida a better place is extraordinary
and we are proud and honored that her name will be forever associated
with this magnificent ship,” he added.
“I
am honored to serve as godmother to the Carnival Breeze,” said
Tracy Wilson Mourning. “The Honey Shine mentoring program continues
to be a vital part of our community thanks to the generosity and
commitment by companies like Carnival Cruise Lines,” she
added.
The
3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze debuted earlier this year in Europe,
introducing a host of on-board innovations, including a variety of
dining, bar and entertainment options that are part of the company’s
groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program, a $500
million initiative that is rolling out across the line’s fleet.
Carnival
Breeze kicks off its new Miami-based schedule with a special two-day
cruise operating Nov. 22-24, followed by the launch of year-round
six- and eight-day Caribbean departures Nov. 24, 2012.