Ballerina Darcey Bussell, soon to join the judging panel on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, is to be godmother for the UK’s newest cruise ship, Azura, P&O announced today.
The £350-million ship, currently being built in Italy, will be named at a ceremony in Southampton on April 10 next year, in front of 1,200 invited guests. Two days later she will depart for her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean, carrying 3,100 passengers.
Bussell, 40, was principal ballerina at the Royal Ballet until her retirement in 2006. She now lives with her husband and two daughters in Australia, and recently teamed up with Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins for the show Viva La Diva, paying tribute to the stars who inspired them.
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 crew.”
P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “Darcey Bussell epitomises glamour, sophistication and elegance, all qualities we have strived to achieve in Azura. The ship 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 entirely fitting for Darcey to give Azura the best possible start in life.”
The naming ceremony will benefit three international charities personally chosen by Bussell – Sydney Dance Company, the Royal Ballet School and the Prince’s Rainforest Project.
The 115,000-ton ship will have a dancefloor in the centre of its atrium, a theatre seating 750, an outdoor cinema screen, a wine bar with the list chosen by TV expert Olly Smith, and a total of 12 restaurants, including Sindhu, masterminded by celebrity chef Atul Kochhar.
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
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