Ballet star to name new P&O ship (From This is Hampshire)

Ballet star to name new P&O ship

4:10pm Monday 23rd November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)

By Andrew Napier »

IT promises to be a suitably glittering ceremony to launch South-ampton’s latest supership.

Ballet superstar Darcey Bussell will name P&O’s Azura in a bottle-smashing ceremony in the city docks next year.

Ms Bussell, 40, has been appointed ‘godmother’ of the new £350m vessel and will star in the naming on April 10.

She is poised to become a familiar figure on TV by becoming a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from next month.

More than 1,200 guests have been invited to the ceremony on the top deck of the 115,000 tonne ship just before its maiden voyage around the Mediterranean on April 12.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said today: “Darcey Bussell epitomises glamour, sophistication and elegance, all qualities we have strived to achieve in Azura.

“Azura will offer the service, quality and entertainment associated with cruising at its very best and as dance will play a key part in this, it is fitting for Darcey to give Azura the best possible start in life.”

Ms Bussell will fly back from her home in Sydney, Australia, for the event.

She said: “I am so excited, honoured and, at the same time, somewhat filled with trepidation to be Godmother to Azura, as I know how significant the ceremony is viewed by the ship’s captain and the crew.”

The liner will carry up to 3,100 passengers and 1,226 crew. It boasts a dance floor, ten restaurants, a 750-seat theatre, nightclubs and open air cinema.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)