Spirit of Discovery's royal naming ceremony will be held at Port of Dover on 5 July
By
Rebecca Gibson |
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has been chosen as godmother for Saga Cruises’ new boutique cruise ship, Spirit of Discovery, which will be christened at the Port of Dover in Kent, UK on 5 July 2019.
Spirit of Discovery, which will undergo technical and nautical sea trials until mid-June, will be delivered to Saga on 20 June and then make her way to Dover for her naming ceremony. The 999-guest vessel will be the first cruise ship to be christened at the Port of Dover for over a decade, as well as the first to berth at Dover Western Docks following a £250 million (US$318 million) redevelopment of the area.
Before the naming ceremony, The Duchess of Cornwall will be given a tour of the ship, which has been designed specifically for the British market and features interiors by UK-based company SMC Design. The duchess will then bless the ship and officially name her by smashing a jeroboam of sparkling wine that has been specially blended for Spirit of Discovery by Kent-based wine producer Hush Heath across her hull.
“I am delighted that The Duchess of Cornwall has agreed to be godmother of the Spirit of Discovery,” said Lance Batchelor, group CEO of Saga. “The launch of our new ship is a key moment in both the history and future of Saga. Carrying fewer than 1,000 passengers, she is a boutique ship that offers our customers and members the highest standards of accommodation, furnishings, cuisine and entertainment. I am immensely proud of what we have created with shipyard Meyer Werft.”