Miami - Ahoy, Ahoy, Ahoy; Attendees of the Ninth Annual Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise will find more than lounge chairs and an Olympic size swimming pool aboard the cruise's ship. In fact, they'll find the new 2009 Ford Flex parked in the pool deck area of this luxurious cruise ship. This marks Flex's world debut aboard a cruise and will also be the first time that most attendees will get a chance to get intimate with Ford's newest vehicle.

Ford, who has been a sponsor of the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage since 2005 will give away the keys to the Flex as part of an onboard giveaway before the ship docks back into Miami on May 25. This marks the second year that Ford has given away a vehicle as part of their partnership with Tom Joyner.

Joyner will present the keys to one of four lucky contestants who will take a shot at unlocking the doors to the Flex. In addition to giving away a vehicle, Ford also provided an opportunity for two lucky listeners of the Tom Joyner Morning Show to win an all-expense paid trip aboard the cruise. Carla Niedert of Pennsylvania and Danielle Tyler of North Carolina were the two on-air sweepstakes winners.

"I was very excited and still am when I found out that I won," said Tyler. "This was a worldwide sweepstakes and it's unbelievable that I was chosen, it's surreal to me. I've heard about this cruise on the radio and always wanted to go but never thought that I would actually get a chance to go—and go as a winner of Ford's sweepstakes. Having an opportunity to win a car just adds to the excitement."

"Being able to partner with Tom Joyner and the Foundation on a cause that has proven year-over-year to have such an impact within the African American community continues to be exciting for us," said Crystal Greene, Sponsorships & Diverse Markets Manager for Ford.

"We not only have a chance to play a role in raising funds to benefit educational pursuits but we also get an opportunity to bring one of the most stylish, upscale and attention-grabbing vehicles from Ford aboard this ship for seven days. This is truly a thrilling opportunity for us."

The Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage raises more than $1 million each year to keep students in school at Black Colleges and Universities. The "Ultimate Party with a Purpose" will feature non-stop entertainment, events and activities, all benefiting the Tom Joyner Foundation and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Fantastic Voyage will sail Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas sailing to a number of Caribbean islands. Last year over 4000 attendees took part in the cruise.

"We have had such a great relationship with Ford over the years," said Tom Joyner. "They value the African American community and share our vision to help keep students in HBCU's. This year Ford is taking that vision to a whole new level by not only sponsoring the Tom Joyner Foundation's Fantastic Voyage to benefit these students, but they are also giving one of our passengers the opportunity to drive home in a new 2009 Ford Flex. The fact that this vehicle is going aboard the ship is exciting."

The 2009 Ford Flex:

Courtesy: Ford Motor Company, USA

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 10 May, 2008 11:36:14 AM IST #