By
Rebecca Gibson |
Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess was greeted by a musical salute from the Southampton University Brass Band when she arrived at the city’s Ocean Terminal on 7 June to begin a week-long series of inaugural events.
Inspired by the 2012 Thames Jubilee Pageant, the band performed a rendition of God Save The Queen , before Royal Princess’s horn played the theme song from the Love Boat, a 1970s television programme that helped to make the line a household name.
Commenting on his role as conductor, British actor, writer and director Simon Callow, said: “I was honoured to have been chosen to conduct. The biggest challenge was to ensure the wind and rain conditions allowed for a flawless rendition of God Save The Queen and Love Boat.”
Royal Princess will be christened on 13 June by The Duchess of Cambridge in a ceremony featuring many British ship-naming traditions, including a blessing and a performance by The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and the pipers of the Irish Guards. British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield and British actress and West-end singer Kerry Ellis will also perform at the launch of the 3,600-passenger newbuild.
“Royal Princess received an extraordinary welcome for her arrival in Southampton,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises’ executive vice president. “Starting the week off with this amazing musical orchestra was the perfect way to tune up for a naming ceremony, which will include many special musical performances.”
The ship will depart for her maiden voyage to Barcelona on 16 June, before offering Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer and Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.