Shaquille O'Neal's mom named Carnival cruise ship godmother
Carnival Cruise Line has named Shaquille O'Neal's mother, Dr. Lucille O'Neal, godmother of the newest vessel in its Sunshine Class.
Dr. O'Neal, who is an author, public speaker and philanthropist, dedicates much of her time to charitable organizations. In addition to her positions as a board member of the Orlando Ovarian Center Alliance and president of Mothers of Professional Basketball Players (which she also cofounded), Dr. O'Neal established the Odessa Chambliss Center for Health Equity on the campus of Bethune Cookman University, where she earned her bachelor's degree. The university also awarded her an honorary doctorate degree.
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"Lucille's longstanding commitment to caring for others is a reflection of what we look for in a godmother, and as the mother of our amazing chief fun officer, Shaquille O'Neal, we also know she's got some fun in her DNA," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a statement.
Shaq, who has served as Carnival's "CFO" (chief fun officer) for several years, has a large presence throughout the fleet, particularly on the line's newly built Mardi Gras, which boasts Big Chicken, a free onboard restaurant that offers some of the best chicken we've ever tasted.
Dr. O'Neal, who will be in attendance for Carnival Radiance's naming ceremony on Dec. 13 in the port of Long Beach, in California, will also help Shaq cut the ribbon on the second at-sea Big Chicken outpost, which is found on board.
"When Shaquille was named chief fun officer ... never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be named godmother of a cruise ship," Dr. O'Neal said. "To think that my name will be forever associated with Carnival Radiance and that I'm joining other esteemed women who have served as a Carnival godmother is truly an honor."
Like the other ships in its class, Carnival Radiance (formerly Carnival Victory) underwent an extensive dry dock refurbishment.
In addition to Big Chicken, the $200 million overhaul added several other popular Carnival staples, including Guy Fieri's Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse; the Heroes Tribute Bar, dedicated to members of the military; family-style Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano; Bonsai Sushi; and the RedFrog Pub.
Carnival Radiance will sail three-day cruises to Ensenada and four-day voyages to Ensenada and Catalina Island.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees