Princess switches Santorini ship naming ‘out of respect’
The dual naming ceremonies of Emerald Princess and Royal Princess due to take place off Santorini have been changed following the Sea Diamond tragedy off the island.
The US line said the move had been made “out of respect for the tragic sinking of the Greek cruise ship off the coast in Santorini”.
Princess had planned to simultaneously name both ships in a dual ceremony off the Greek island on May 12.
Instead, Emerald Princess will be christened in Athens on May 13 and the new date and location for the Royal Princess festivities will be announced shortly.
Princess Cruises UK director Peter Shanks said: “Given the great shock and sadness this incident has caused, and out of the respect for those affected, we have decided that it would not be appropriate to continue with the celebrations we had planned in Santorini.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected, especially the family of the two missing French passengers.
“However we’re quite pleased to continue with our original plans to reunite a pair of television’s favourite mothers and daughters for the christening of Emerald Princess.”
American TV “icons” Florence Henderson, best known as “Carol Brady” on The Brady Bunch, and Marion Ross, aka “Marion Cunningham” of Happy Days fame and their TV daughters, Susan Olsen (“Cindy Brady”) and Erin Moran (“Joanie Cunningham”) will all be on board Emerald Princess in Athens.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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