MIAMI, Oct. 04, 2011 - This November, Royal Caribbean International will celebrate its return to New Orleans, La., in a big way.   The eight-time "Best Cruise Line Overall" award winner has teamed with Republic Nashville to treat invited guests to a special, live performance by one of country music's most beloved artists, Martina McBride.  Following the debut of her new album, ELEVEN, which hits stores on Oct. 11, 2011, the four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year is scheduled to perform aboard Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas, the largest and most innovative cruise ship ever to homeport in New Orleans, on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. The Martina concert for invited guests will take place in Voyager of the Seas' Lyric Theatre before the ship departs on its Western Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise.

In addition to New Orleans, Royal Caribbean is making it easier than ever before for Gulf Coast area residents to enjoy an affordable, hassle-free vacation by bringing its innovative ships to other Gulf Coast ports for the winter season, including Galveston, Texas; and Tampa, Fla.  Guests can choose between two seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries onboard Mariner of the Seas from Galveston, starting at $530 per guest, double occupancy; or a selection of five-night and four-night Western Caribbean itineraries onboard Jewel of the Seas from Tampa, starting at $309 per guest, double occupancy.
 
About Martina McBride
One of the most spectacular voices in any genre of music, Martina McBride is a four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, three-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and GRAMMY®-winning recording artist with more than 18 million in album sales and 24 Top 10 singles, including six that hit No. 1. The breadth of her talents-as recording artist, producer, songwriter and concert entertainer-has made her an in-demand performer and personality, appearing on such high-profile programs as "VH1 Diva," "Dancing with the Stars," the "Today" show's "Today Throws a Wedding," "American Idol," "Oprah," "The Bachelorette," "Private Sessions," a "20/20" special and much more. Celebrated for her beauty and sense of fashion, as well as her everywoman perspective in life and music, Martina is a wife and mother of three girls who has been featured on the covers of publications like Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, People, Country Weekly and Shape. Among her hits are such anthemic and empowering songs as "Independence Day," "This One's for the Girls" and "Ride," all of which have underscored her incredible popularity as one of music's preeminent female vocalists. Martina's first album on Republic Nashville, "ELEVEN," is set for release on Oct. 11 and includes her first new music since 2009-"Teenage Daughters" and her current single, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It." She was recently nominated for the 2011 CMT Music Awards CMT Performance of the Year for "CMT Crossroads: Train and Martina McBride. Martina is also a nominee for "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the 2011 CMA Awards.
 
About Republic Nashville
Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Records Label Group and Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic, announced the formation of its new label partnership - Republic Nashville - in May 2009. Former Capitol Records Promotion executive Jimmy Harnen serves as President with Borchetta serving as CEO. The imprint is headquartered on Music Row and utilizes the combined resources of Big Machine Records and Universal Republic Records. Big Machine and Universal Republic first joined forces in 2007 to propel country Superstar Taylor Swift to Top 40 radio and beyond, with Taylor becoming the best-selling all-genre artist in 2008. Republic Nashville's artist roster includes Grammy-winning, multi-platinum superstar Martina McBride; Grammy-nominated, Double-Platinum sensations The Band Perry; Eli Young Band and Sunny Sweeney.