Eight-Year-Old from Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Winner of Carnival's Virtual Book of Dreams Contest

Posted on: October 12th, 2009 - News Blog

Eight-year-old Hailee Steberger of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., is the winner of Carnival Cruise Lines’ “Virtual Book of Dreams” contest, earning the opportunity to serve as the official godchild of the expansive water park aboard the new Carnival Dream.  At 130,000 tons, Carnival Dream is the line’s newest and largest ship and will make its U.S. debut in November.

Hailee and her family will travel to New York next month to christen the Carnival Dream’s spectacular WaterWorks aqua park, which features the longest water slide on a cruise ship. The family will also receive a free cruise.

The contest invited children ages seven to 12 to share their awesome dreams with a short essay and hand-drawn illustration via a special web site, www.carnivalbookofdreams.com.   Five finalists were selected and then voted on by the public. Hailee’s entry, entitled “Wake Me When We Leave,” received the most votes.

Carnival Cruise Lines donated $1 per vote to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for a total contribution of $25,000.  St. Jude is one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

“Hailee’s winning entry was certainly creative and we’re delighted that she will be the official godchild of the magnificent water park aboard the new Carnival Dream,” said Jim Berra, Carnival’s chief marketing officer.  “Equally important, we were able to support St. Jude and raise funds to help some very special children and their families,” he added.

Information on the new Carnival Dream, which debuted in Europe and arrives in the U.S. in November, is available at www.carnival.com/dream.