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Ventura to be named by Oscar winner
Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren is to name P&O Cruises’ new £300 million ship Ventura in April.
The ceremony is to take place in Southampton on April 16 prior to the 3,076-passenger ship’s maiden voyage to the Mediterranean.
A team of Royal Marine Commandos will assist the actress in naming the vessel with an abseil to smash the bottle against the hull.
This represents a break with tradition, instead of Dame Helen simply pressing a button to send a cradled Taittinger champagne bottle towards the ship.
Previous bottles at the naming of Ocean Village 2 and Cunard’s Queen Victoria failed to smash, supposedly representing bad luck.
There will be 1,500 guests invited to the ceremony including consultant celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and children’s favourite Noddy.
The event will benefit three children’s charities supported by Dame Helen and P&O Cruises – Barnardos, Kid’s Company and Naomi House.
P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale said: “Dame Helen Mirren embodies glamour, vitality and Britishness, which are all values that will be a feature of Ventura. We are honoured that she has agreed to become Godmother.
“The arrival of Ventura is set to usher in a new era for the British cruise industry and will accelerate the rate of progress of an already fast growing market. We are delighted that Dame Helen is to be associated with her.
“At the same time, we are determined to get the bottle-smashing right, and are grateful for the military co-ordinated assistance of the Royal Marines.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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