P&O celebrates as British monarch launches Britain's largest ever cruise ship in Southampton
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Her Majesty The Queen officially christened Britain’s largest ever cruise ship at the Port of Southampton on 10 March.
Accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the royal godmother named P&O Cruises’ Britannia by smashing a Nebuchadnezzar of British Brut NV from the Wiston Estate Winery at Pulborough in West Sussex against the side of the vessel. The monarch, who also christened P&O Cruises’ Oriana in 1994 and is godmother to Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2, said: “I name this ship Britannia. May God bless her and all who sail in her.”
Hosted by British comedian, actor and presenter Rob Brydon, the quintessentially British naming ceremony featured performances from The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, The Regimental Band of the Irish Guard, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, classical singer Laura White and professional dancers from BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing. The Right Reverend Jonathan Frost, Bishop of Southampton, also blessed the vessel, while David Dingle, chairman of P&O, gave a speech.
“Oriana began the transformation of the P&O fleet and the British cruise industry 20 years’ ago and Britannia will do the same – she is a modern classic, inspired by our past but built for our future,” said Dingle. “Her Union Flag celebrates the vibrancy of Britain today as P&O’s ships sail as ambassadors of the seas across the globe.”
After Britannia was named, both the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were taken on a tour of the ship’s atrium and bridge by the ship’s captain Paul Brown, before joining VIP guests at a celebratory lunch.
On 9 March, British dignitaries, celebrities and members of the press attended an overnight gala event onboard the ship, enabling them to enjoy a meal prepared by the ship’s resident celebrity chefs, a top-deck firework display, a concert by British singer Michael Ball and more.
Expected to boost the line’s capacity by 24%, the 141,000gt Britannia features 13 bars and 13 dining venues, the line's largest Oasis Spa and open-deck retreat, various entertainment venues, a sports arena, four swimming pools including a Serenity pool and bar, and a library. 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.
According to Dingle, everything from the drinks, to the entertainment, to the customer service has been designed to appeal to British passengers. Speaking at a press conference onboard the vessel on 9 March, Dingle said Britannia had been designed to embody the ‘spirit of modern Britain.’ “Britannia is quite simply the best of the best,” he said. “As our largest ever ship, Britannia offers the biggest canvas to paint on. We’ve taken all of the best bits from our existing ships and brought them together in one place and added a whole lot of new things too.”
Menus and dining concepts have also been reimagined to reflect modern Britain. 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 has opened his first patisserie range in the Market Café in the ship’s three-tier atrium. Established P&O favourites Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar and Olly Smith have also contributed 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.
“We complement each other and it is an honour to be part of such an amazing line-up,” said Lanlard, adding that the food and dining concepts will be ‘groundbreaking’ onboard Britannia. “People will love it.”
The ship will sail from Southampton throughout the summer and the Caribbean in the winter.
“We’re proud of the ship, the team, our partners and everyone involved,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. “She is stunning and we think she will elevate our brand, helping us to attract an expanded segment of guests. The ship is far more fuel- and cost-efficient and is poised to exceed guest expectations.”