British monarch to name the P&O Cruises' newbuild during a ceremony at the port of Southampton
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will name P&O Cruises newbuild Britannia at the port of Southampton’s Ocean Terminal on 10 March.
During the naming ceremony, a bottle of sparkling wine from the Wiston Estate Winery in Sussex, UK, will be smashed against the side of the ship. In addition a nebuchadnezzar of the British Brut NV will be used for the ceremony, while thousands of bottles of Brut NV and Rosé Vintage 2011 will be available during various scheduled inaugural events.
“We are honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name Britannia almost 20 years after she named the P&O Cruises ship Oriana,” said David Dingle, Carnival UK chairman. “Britannia, a ship for the nation, will be the embodiment of contemporary Britain, and with her Union Jack livery she will fly the flag for Britain across the globe.”
Designed to accommodate more than 3,600 passengers, Britannia is the largest cruise ship ever constructed for both P&O and the British market. Expected to boost the line’s capacity by 24%, the 141,000gt ship features 13 bars and 13 dining venues, the line's largest Oasis Spa and open-deck retreat, a sports arena, four swimming pools including a Serenity pool and bar and a library.
Guests will also be able to enjoy various entertainment venues including The Limelight Club, a 936-seat theatre with an LED screen and a multi-purpose TV studio hosting shows with guest speakers, cinema screenings, radio plays or game shows. The ship also offers 27 single cabins – more than any other cruise ship – and 15 of those cabins will have outside balconies. Interiors have been designed by Richmond International.
In addition, British TV chef James Martin has helped to develop The Cookery Club, the first cookery school onboard a British cruise ship, while award-winning patissier Eric Lanlard will open his first patisserie range in the Market Café in the ship’s three-tier atrium. Established P&O Cruises favourites Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar and Olly Smith will also contribute to the onboard culinary options, which include speciality restaurants and gala dinners. Guests will be able to participate in cookery classes under the guidance of the chefs, while guest chefs will provide onboard assistance to classes of up to 24 people.