BOSTON, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Cruises announced the lineup of Patriots legends who will be joining fans onboard the 2015 New England Patriots
Fan Cruise. It is the first cruise of its kind, pairing Patriots fans with Patriots Super Bowl Champions, Hall of Famers and other fan favorites. The players scheduled to set sail on March 15, 2015 on the Celebrity Silhouette are:
Patriots fans will have the opportunity to meet and greet each of these Patriots greats as they sail through the Caribbean. The ship will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and will make stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Fans are encouraged to bring their Patriots gear with them to participate in a "Best Dressed Fan Contest."
"New England Patriots fans are the best," said Zolak. "They are passionate about the Patriots and love talking football 365 days a year. The Patriots brought New England their first Super Bowl championship in 2001. It kicked off the first of eight championship celebrations in Boston over the past 13 years. I know whenever the alumni get together, we like to reminisce and tell stories, which is always entertaining for the fans. I can't wait to hear the tales of these legendary players. This is the first Celebrity Cruise with Patriots players, but I am guessing that it won't be the last. I think it is going to be a great experience for the players and fans alike."
Onboard activities with the Patriots alumni will include karaoke nights, a pool party, volleyball and much more. Fans booking this cruise will also receive a $50 on-board credit and a Classic Beverage Package for two. Staterooms are now available through Celebrity Cruises(http://www.celebritycruises.com) or your local travel agent (Only fans booked within Patriots group will be able to take part in exclusive Patriots events. Please ask for Patriots group when booking).
"We're really happy to be able to offer a cruise that combines modern luxury with a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience," said
Marla Phaneuf, Regional Sales Manager and Team Manager of New England at Celebrity Cruises, "I'm a huge Patriots fan and really excited to see these legendary players onboard the 2015 fan cruise."
Fan Cruise. It is the first cruise of its kind, pairing Patriots fans with Patriots Super Bowl Champions, Hall of Famers and other fan favorites. The players scheduled to set sail on March 15, 2015 on the Celebrity Silhouette are:
- Troy Brown Patriots Hall of Fame Wide Receiver/Returner and three-time Super Bowl Champion (1993-2007)
Troy Brown is a 2012 Patriots Hall of Fame Inductee who spent his entire 15-season career with the Patriots after being selected in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft out of Marshall. Brown retired in 2008 as the Patriots' all-time leading receiver with 557 career receptions and was a key contributor to all three Super Bowl Championships. Brown was a five-time co-captain and retired as the team's all-time leading punt returner with 252 career returns. Brown's significant contributions in all three phases of the game offense, defense and special teams made him one of the most versatile and beloved players in the history of the franchise.
- Steve Nelson “Patriots Hall of Fame Linebacker (1974-1987)
Steve Nelson is a 1993 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee, who spent his entire 14-season career with the Patriots after being drafted in the second round out of North Dakota State in 1974. He recorded more than 100 tackles nine times and finished with a very Patriotic 1,776 total tackles for a career average of 10.2 tackles per game. Nelson was voted to the 35[SUP]th[/SUP] Anniversary Team in 1994, the Patriots Team of the Century in 2000 and the Patriots 50[SUP]th[/SUP] Anniversary Team in 2009.
- Kevin Faulk “ Three-time Super Bowl Champion Running Back/Returner (1999-2012)
Kevin Faulk closed his 13-year career as one of the most productive Patriots players in team history. He filled various roles after being drafted in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft out of LSU. He is the Patriots all-time leader in all-purpose yards (12,349) and kickoff return yards (4,098) and is the Patriots' all-time leading return specialist, totaling 5,041 combined return yards. He finished his career ranked fifth in franchise history in both career rushing yards (3,607) and career receptions (431). His 431 receptions are the most by a running back in franchise history. He was a key contributor to all three of the Patriots Super Bowl titles and helped the Patriots claim five conference championships.
- Joe Andruzzi “ Three-time Super Bowl Guard (2000-2004)
Joe Andruzzi joined the Patriots as a free agent in 2000 and helped anchor an offensive line that powered the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships. A New York City native, all three of his brothers were firefighters, who answered the call during the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. In a memorable return to football, the three brothers served as honorary captains for the Patriots game against the New York Jets on Sept. 23, 2001. Andruzzi earned a reputation for his toughness on the field. That toughness set the stage for the ultimate fight when he overcame non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After completing treatment, the Andruzzi family founded the Joe Andruzzi Foundation in 2008. They are committed to tackling cancer's impact by providing financial assistance for patients and their families as well as funding pediatric brain cancer research.
- Patrick Pass – Three-time Super Bowl Running Back/Fullback (2000-2006)
Patrick Pass proved to be a jack-of-all-trades during his seven seasons with the Patriots after joining the team as a seventh-round draft pick out of Georgia in 2000. In his first season, he was utilized as a running back, wide receiver and special teamer. He became a reliable running back, fullback and special teams performer and was a key contributor to each of the Patriots' three Super Bowl championships.
- Peter Brock – All-Decade Center (1976-1987)
Pete Brock played 12 seasons with the Patriots after joining the team as a first-round draft pick out of Colorado in 1976 with the 12[SUP]th[/SUP] pick overall. He played every position along the offensive line at some point during his career and was known as "Mr. Versatility." Brock once played left tackle, long snapper, tight end and wing back during the same series of downs in a 1979 game at Chicago. Brock once scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from
Steve Grogan in 1976. Brock was a key contributor to an offensive line that powered the Patriots to 3,165 rushing yards in 1978, an NFL record that has not been broken in the 35 seasons since.
- Scott Zolak – Current Patriots Color Analyst and Former Quarterback (1992-1998)
Scott Zolak played eight seasons with the Patriots after being drafted in the fourth-round in 1991 out of Maryland. Zolak's father worked as a head coach and athletic director at Ringgold High School in Monongahela, Pa., where he coached Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana. Zolak went into broadcasting after his retirement and currently serves as the color commentator for the Patriots' radio broadcasts. He co-hosts the mid-day show on the Patriots flagship station, 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Patriots fans will have the opportunity to meet and greet each of these Patriots greats as they sail through the Caribbean. The ship will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and will make stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Fans are encouraged to bring their Patriots gear with them to participate in a "Best Dressed Fan Contest."
"New England Patriots fans are the best," said Zolak. "They are passionate about the Patriots and love talking football 365 days a year. The Patriots brought New England their first Super Bowl championship in 2001. It kicked off the first of eight championship celebrations in Boston over the past 13 years. I know whenever the alumni get together, we like to reminisce and tell stories, which is always entertaining for the fans. I can't wait to hear the tales of these legendary players. This is the first Celebrity Cruise with Patriots players, but I am guessing that it won't be the last. I think it is going to be a great experience for the players and fans alike."
Onboard activities with the Patriots alumni will include karaoke nights, a pool party, volleyball and much more. Fans booking this cruise will also receive a $50 on-board credit and a Classic Beverage Package for two. Staterooms are now available through Celebrity Cruises(http://www.celebritycruises.com) or your local travel agent (Only fans booked within Patriots group will be able to take part in exclusive Patriots events. Please ask for Patriots group when booking).
"We're really happy to be able to offer a cruise that combines modern luxury with a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience," said
Marla Phaneuf, Regional Sales Manager and Team Manager of New England at Celebrity Cruises, "I'm a huge Patriots fan and really excited to see these legendary players onboard the 2015 fan cruise."
