Queen Latifah Gives Carnival Horizon the Royal Treatment

Queen Latifah, in a new role as godmother, officially named Carnival’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon.  The ceremony was held on Wednesday in New York City. The event also featured young artists from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, whose artwork was displayed on Dreamscape, a three-deck-high LED installation in the ship’s atrium.

During the evening, Queen Latifah challenged Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott in Lip Sync Battle: Horizon based on the TV series.

The Weather Girls classic hit, “It’s Raining Men” was performed by Queen Latifah while Jake Elliott rocked out with his rendition of “Here I Go Again.” Carnival Horizon’s Playlist Productions back-up dancers kept the party going in the Liquid Lounge.

As a result of this celebrity event and other Carnival fundraisers, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital received a $100,000 donation from Carnival Cruise Line. In total, since 2010, Carnival has raised over $16 million towards childhood cancer research.

“Carnival Horizon’s naming ceremony was one of our best yet, with Queen Latifah carrying out her duties as godmother then battling it out with Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott of my hometown Philadelphia Eagles in an entertaining Lip Sync Battle,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We were also delighted to showcase the wonderfully talented children from St. Jude whose artwork on the Dreamscape will be forever associated with this spectacular ship,” she added.

Added Queen Latifah, “My time aboard Carnival Horizon was nothing short of incredible. In addition to having the honor of serving as the ship’s godmother, meeting the amazing kids from St. Jude and their families and squaring off against Jake in an all-out Lip Sync Battle is certainly something I will always cherish.”

Carnival Horizon sports several innovations for the fleet. These include a Dr. Seuss water park, a teppanyaki restaurant adjacent to Bonsai Sushi, Smokehouse Brewhouse that mixes Guy Fieri’s BBQ with craft beer brewmaster Colin Presby.

Features also included on Carnival Horizon are SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre, a Havana section with its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, and Family Harbor with larger staterooms and its Family Harbor Lounge.

Carnival Horizon cruises four- and eight-day Bermuda and Caribbean cruises from New York through September. After that, Carnival Horizon moves to Miami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises.

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