KATHIE LEE INTROS NEW WINES ON 'BREEZE'

Kathie Lee Gifford and Carnival have reunited. The “Today” show host and former spokesperson for the cruise line surprised guests on Carnival Breeze Sunday, embarking on a six-day cruise from Port Miami, to officially introduce GIFFT wines at an onboard tasting event. The wines are now available for sale fleetwide on Carnival's 24 ships.

From the press release:

"Gifford became closely associated with the Fun Ship brand in the 1980s when Carnival launched the first national television ad campaigns in the cruise industry, becoming the line’s first spokesperson and appearing in such memorable campaigns as: 'If You Could See Me Now' and 'Ain’t We Got Fun?'  

"Created in consultation with California-based Scheid Family Wines—one of the largest vineyard owners in Monterey County—the GIFFT Collection consists of a Red Blend and a Chardonnay, both estate-grown. In September 2014, Wine Enthusiast magazine gave the red 91 of a possible 100 points and the Chardonnay 88 points in its tasting rating."

COUPLE 'TRIP FLIPPED' WITH CRUISE VACATION

Kreischer
(Travel Channel)

"Trip Flip" is a show on the Travel Channel hosted by "professional fun-seeker, comedian, and travel expert Bert Kreischer." The idea is to surprise travelers on vacation with an experience they never saw coming. On the Sunday, May 5 episode, a couple from Austin on holiday in Miami's South Beach suddenly find themselves aboard the Carnival Breeze for a six-day cruise. That's the kind of surprise we would all like. Airtime is 8 p.m. EST. -- Gerry

CARNIVAL 'BREEZE' HAS NAMING CEREMONY

John Heald and Tracy Mourning
(All Photos by Gerry)

 PORT MIAMI -- Carnival Breeze, the newest and brightest star in the Carnival firmament, had its official naming ceremony here at its home port Saturday. On hand to mark the occasion were Carnival top brass, VIPs, media, and the official Godmother of Breeze, Tracy Mourning. Also there to cheer Tracy was a large contingent from her charity, Honey Shine, which mentors young women in South Florida. Plus her children and husband, basketball great Alonzo Mourning.

Emceeing the event was Senior Cruise Director John Heald, who is marking his 25th year with the company. It was a fitting party for the pride of the Carnival fleet. Here are some party pictures. Congrats, Carnival! -- Gerry

Stars from "Divas" perform at the Naming Ceremony

John introduces Tracy

The audience cheers for Tracy and the Divas

John Heald and Alonzo Mourning

Tracy's charity, Honey Shine, gets a $25,000
donation from Carnival

Tracy and the Breeze captain prepare for
the traditional champagne christening

Confetti rains down as the champagne "pops"

WIN PRIZES IN CARNIVAL'S 'BREEZE-A-THON'

A chance to win a fun prize is a "breeze" with Carnival's new “Carnival Breeze-A-Thon” contest on their Facebook page -- www.facebook.com/carnival. You can enter from Dec. 3-6 by “liking” Carnival on Facebook and visiting the “Carnival Breeze-A-Thon” tab. It's all timed with Breeze's official naming ceremony, which takes place Saturday, Dec. 8. Prizes will be awarded each hour between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., interspersed with a series of videos showcasing the ship’s fun features.

Here is a list of prizes: