TV naturalist and wildlife presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff (above) is looking forward to her first cruise as a lecturer on board mv Voyager after acting as godmother at the official naming ceremony in Portsmouth today.
She is particularly keen on visiting South America – where the ship will be sailing this winter, and she won’t be at all surprised if crewmembers and passengers have problems pronouncing her name. In her time, she told guests gathered by the ship’s open-air pool, she has been referred to as Miranda Kalashnikov and even Miranda Chesty Cough.
Having been godmother to nothing bigger than her best friend’s daughter until today, she plans to take her duties seriously. “I hope to be able to guide the ship from my home in Bristol, and I’m hoping to get a chance to visit every couple of months, maybe even stow away to South America,” she said.
The Rev Phillip Hiscock, chaplain to the Port of Portsmouth, held a short service of blessing before Miranda unveiled a plaque bearing the ship’s new name. There was no bottle of Champagne smashed on the hull; Roger Allard, executive chairman of parent company All Leisure Group handed her a glass to drink instead.
Voyager set off later in the day for a maiden voyage to the Caribbean.
The ship was built in 1990 as Crown Monarch and has a had a number of names including Nautican, Neptune, Rembrandt, Jules Verne, and most recently, Alexander von Humboldt.
Slightly smaller than Discovery, which she replaces as Voyages of Discovery’s vessel, the ship has 270 cabins, 30 of them with balconies, and introduces open-seating dining.
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