NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- This Saturday, August 4, residential cruise ship The Orphalese (http://www.theorphalese.com), will be part of the much-anticipated festivities at The 49th Annual Summer Party to Benefit Southampton Hospital, an event hailed by The New York Times as the "grande dame" of the Hamptons summer charity circuit. Fashion designer Jill Stuart will serve as the event's Honorary Chairman, and The Honorable Rudolph W. and Judith S. Giuliani are this year's honorees. The Orphalese and exclusive sales partner Prudential Douglas Elliman teamed up to provide the benefit's most valuable silent auction prize -- a luxury yacht trip.
The luxury yacht prize features two exciting components: the first is an elegantly catered dinner for the winning bidder and seven close friends aboard USELESS, a 100 foot mega luxury yacht docked in Sag Harbor, owned by Howard Lorber, the Chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman. During the evening cruise on the luxury yacht, the winning bidder will be presented with a folder containing two tickets for first class airfare and two ship vouchers to join The Orphalese for one week during the residential cruise ship's inaugural season, as they sail to the most exclusive and prestigious events of the world. On board the residential cruise ship, the winner and guest will luxuriate in their private suite with views of the sea and be able to enjoy all the world-class amenities, fine dining, high-end shopping, ultra-pampering at the spa, fitness center, golf, tennis, water activities, casino, entertainment, and many other offerings one could desire.
"The Orphalese will be the most exciting place to be, and it's great to be featured at one of the most celebrated events in the Hamptons," said Donald V. Allen, CEO, Orphalese Cruise Lines. "Supporting charitable causes is a top priority for us and being able to donate this valuable luxury yacht prize makes us very proud."
Each year, nearly 1,000 beneficiaries, celebrities and New York socialites attend the Benefit, including Chuck Scarborough, Kelly Ripa and Vera Wang. In addition to the luxury yacht trip, this event's main and silent auction will feature lavish prizes donated by Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co., Manolo Blahnik, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Ferragamo, Harry Winston, Goldeneye Resort in Jamaica and The Ritz Carlton in South Beach, just to name a few.
Proceeds from the event, including the luxury yacht silent auction prize, will support Southampton Hospital's Emergency Services, the only hospital-based emergency care from Westhampton to Montauk, NY. Southampton Hospital relies on private donations to support the medical and healthcare services provided by the Hospital and its nonprofit tax-exempt affiliates.
About The Orphalese
Capturing the imagination of the public as a unique ocean-based lifestyle experience, The Orphalese will be the most exciting place to be. The Orphalese is the first residential cruise ship to offer 200 permanent ocean residences, ranging in size from 1,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet, as well as 265 suites for luxury cruise passengers. Leveraging the combined resources of the world's best business, luxury real estate and design talent, the residential cruise ship will be equipped with the finest amenities available anywhere in the world. Spending an average of 200 days in various ports around the world, the residential cruise ship will give owners and guests the opportunity to visit the globe's most exclusive events and explore the cultural and historic offerings of each country. Slated to debut in 2010, The Orphalese is managed by Orphalese Holdings. For more details, log onto www.theorphalese.com or call 888.287.7447.
About Prudential Douglas Elliman
Prudential Douglas Elliman is New York's largest residential brokerage, with 63 offices, 3,400 real estate agents and a network of national and international affiliates. In an independent study, Prudential Douglas Elliman, ranked #5 of all real estate companies in the nation with $11.7 billion in sales in 2006. Prudential Douglas Elliman also controls a portfolio of real estate services, including Manhattan's largest residential property manager, Douglas Elliman Property Management, as well as PDE Title and Preferred Empire Mortgage Company. For more information on Prudential Douglas Elliman as well as expert commentary on emerging trends in the real estate industry, visit the Prudential Douglas Elliman site at www.prudentialelliman.com.