Shaquille O’Neal's mother to serve as Godmother to the transformed Carnival Radiance

   November 16, 2021 ,   Cruise Industry

Dr. Lucille O’Neal – philanthropist, author, and mother of CCL-Carnival Cruise Line’s "Chief Fun Officer" Shaquille O’Neal/Shaq will serve as godmother of the Carnival Radiance (fka Carnival Victory), scheduled to debut in December 2021 after a US$200 million drydock refit and complete refurbishment.

Lucille O’Neal will preside over the invitation-only naming ceremony taking place in Los Angeles (Long Beach, California USA) before the Maiden Voyage on December 13.

During the festivities, Shaq and Lucille will cut the ribbon to open "Big Chicken" - CCL's second restaurant by Shaq, with O’Neal family recipes-based dishes.

Lucille O’Neal is an accomplished speaker donating her time and talent to a range of charitable organizations, of which serving on the board of the Orlando Ovarian Center Alliance; president & co-founder of the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players.

The author of the biography, “Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go,” Lucille is an example of the importance of education, restarting her studies after raising her kids to graduate cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from BCU as well as completing a graduate program from the University of Phoenix. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from BCU.

Carnival Radiance cruise ship

The Long Beach-based schedule of Carnival Radiance includes 3-day voyages to Ensenada and 4-day sailings visiting Ensenada and Santa Catalina Island CA. Radiance joins Carnival Panorama operating 7-day "Mexican Riviera" itineraries as well as Carnival Miracle sailing 4- and 5-day roundtrips to Mexico.