In celebration of the launch of the latest, greatest and most family-friendly “Fun Ship” ever, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden will be the godmother to the new Carnival Dream and will reveal the world’s largest children’s book in New York City today This, together with a large, multi-year partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

New Yorker and mother of three, Harden will officially name the new ship when it made its debut in North America in New York on November 12, 2009. Carnival Dream to honor long-anticipated arrival, the Tony Award-winning actress will reveal the Carnival’s Big Book of Dreams – measuring 15.5 feet by 20 feet wide – in New York City’s Rockefeller Center today and will do a special reading of a larger – than – story of life for dozens of school children. Inspired by dreams of imaginative children who sailed on the Carnival Cruise Lines this spring, “The Dream plucker from Perrysport” tells the story of a group of young friends who find themselves in a unique adventure as they face the furry orange monster in an effort to remember their dreams . The book will remain on display at Rockefeller Center November 6 and 7 as part of a series of free, full activity Carnival “Dream Big” events for the whole family.

“As a mother and actress is driven by the idea of dreaming big, I am honored to take this new role as the godmother of the Carnival ship largest ever and helped bring the Book of Big Dreams for life for local children,” said Marcia Gay Harden. “I was also inspired by the dedication of the Carnival to support and encourage all children to dream big through a partnership with St. Jude.”

During the three-year partnership with St. Jude, Carnival Cruise Lines’ goal is to raise $ 3 million to help achieve the mission of the hospital looking for drugs and saving children with cancer and other disasters diseases. To support the hospital, under the theme “Care to Play,” Carnival is to create a fun, interactive on-board fundraising activities which will involve the participation of guests. Carnival also will contribute hundreds of child-size copy of “The Dream plucker from Perrysport” to the hospital.

“We are very excited to have the dream-worthy lineup of activities to celebrate the launch of Carnival Dream, including the gifted Marcia Gay Harden as the godmother, and to bring a child’s dream to live in children’s books the biggest ever,” said President Carnival CEO Gerry Cahill. “We are also very proud and honored to work with St. Jude to better support the tremendous work and inspire the children and families of St. Jude to never forget their dreams.”

“We are very fortunate to work with companies such as carnival compassionate,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., Chief Executive Officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “Every dollar donated by Carnival and the guests through the Care to Play fundraising activities will help St. Jude continue its efforts in finding drugs and providing treatment that will save the lives of children. On behalf of everyone at St. Jude, thank you. “