Royal Caribbean and USA TODAY Open a Sea of Dreams for Aspiring Journalists
September 28 2009 - 10:59AM
PR Newswire (US)
Reporter at Sea' Contest Searches for Field Correspondent to Share
the Inside Scoop on the Newest Cruise Ship Oasis of the Seas MIAMI,
Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing its tradition of
breaking the mold, Royal Caribbean International is teaming up with
USA TODAY to launch the "Reporter at Sea" contest in search of a
talented citizen journalist to help cover one of the biggest travel
stories of the year - the unveiling of Oasis of the Seas, the
world's largest and most innovative cruise ship. Starting today
through October 9, 2009, aspiring journalists are invited to enter
to win the coveted job of special field correspondent onboard Oasis
of the Seas' preview sailing alongside USA TODAY'S own cruise
editor, Gene Sloan. Once onboard the ship, the lucky winner will
receive behind-the-scenes access to file reports that will appear
at USA TODAY's Cruise Log about one of the most buzzed about
hospitality and entertainment stories of the year. In addition to
the United States, the "Reporter at Sea" contest is searching for
journalists in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom with
one winner from each country. Eager reporters-to-be can audition
for the assignment of a lifetime by submitting a creative video no
longer than 45 seconds at reporteratsea.usatoday.com. The video
should showcase his/her best reporting skills and tout why Royal
Caribbean should select him/her to serve as a citizen journalist
onboard Oasis of the Seas. Videos will be judged based on
creativity and quality, as well as the entrant's ability to
entertain, effectively bring to life and clearly explain travel or
cruising concepts, and articulate why he/she should be chosen to
represent their country. Once the entry period ends, judges will
select 10 finalists per country, and voters will choose their
favorite video between October 20 and October 25. One winner from
each country will be simultaneously announced on November 4 and
will be flown with a guest to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to cover the
first pre-inaugural cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas from November
19 to November 22. For more information on the "Reporter at Sea"
contest, how to enter, the official rules, details on the prize and
voting, please visit http://www.reporteratsea.usatoday.com/. When
she launches in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas, which was named by a
USA TODAY reader in a previous contest, will be the largest and
most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural
marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross
registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and
feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship
to tout the cruise line's new neighborhood concept of seven
distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the
Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and
Fitness Center and Entertainment Place. The ship will sail from her
home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional
information is available at http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/. Royal
Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships
currently in service and two under construction. The line also
offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai,
Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. For additional information
or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
Travel professionals should go to http://www.cruisingpower.com/ or
call (800) 327-2056. Readers can log on to cruises.usatoday.com for
an active community of cruise enthusiasts and get an extensive
resource of useful information for all their cruise traveling
needs. Readers also can check out Gene Sloan's cruising blog and
join the discussion at USA TODAY's cruise forum all at
cruises.usatoday.com. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT
INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF CANADA,
GERMANY, MEXICO, THE UK AND THE 50 U.S. (& D.C.), 18 AND OLDER.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED Enter by: 10/09/09 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Prize:
two (2) tickets for pre-inaugural cruise on the Oasis of the Seas
cruise ship, plus travel accommodations. For Official Rules and
prize descriptions, visit reporteratsea.usatoday.com. Sponsor:
Royal Caribbean International, 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132,
U.S.A. DATASOURCE: Royal Caribbean International CONTACT: Royal
Caribbean International Media Contacts: Tracy Quan,
+1-305-539-6577, , Erin Burden, +1-212-445-8164, ; USA TODAY Media
Contact: Alexandra Nicholson, +1-703-854-5872, Web Site:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/
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