Duchess of Cambridge to be godmother to Princess cruise ship
The Duchess of Cambridge has been named as godmother to the new Royal Princess cruise ship. The ceremony at which she will name the ship will take place in Southampton on June 13.
The naming ceremony will be the highlight of week-long inaugural celebrations to welcome the 3,600 passenger ship into service.
Princess Cruises said the ceremony "will uphold British ship-naming traditions" including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards.
President and CEO Alan Buckelew said :"It is a great honour for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the Godmother to Royal Princess."
The Duchess joins other celebrated Princes Cruises godmothers Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princes of Wales who named the original Royal Princess ship in 1984.
"We are delighted that the Duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company’s British heritage and our commitment to the country," added Buckelew.
Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday June 7 where she will begin a series of events for customers and travel agents, including a special naming gala on the evening of June 12. The ship’s inaugural celebrations will conclude with her maiden voyage on June 16.
The inaugural period of Royal Princess also includes two short preview cruises prior to and following the naming. After her maiden voyage the ship will sail Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025