Princess in search of a godmother

Princess Cruises have announced more details of events surrounding the naming of its newest ship, Royal Princess, in Southampton in June – and there will be more than a week of hard partying. Fingers crossed the weather allows maximum use of the ship’s spectacular open top deck (above).
The ship, in the final stages of construction at the Fincantieri yard in Monfalcone, north-east Italy – where I will be seeing her in a few days time – will arrive at the Ocean Cruise Terminal on Friday June 7. There will be a flurry of events on board before she sails on her maiden voyage on Sunday June 16.
The highlight will be the official naming ceremony on Thursday June 13, although just who will be smashing a Champagne bottle on the ship’s hull remains a closely-guarded secret.
Princess are saying nothing, although they must be secretly disappointed that the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy has put her out of the running. Princess Diana was godmother to an earlier ship with exactly the same name in November 1984.
The cruise line has a history of celebrated godmothers, including Olivia de Havilland (Grand Princess, 1998), Maggie Thatcher (Regal Princess, 1991), and Audrey Hepburn (Star Princess, 1989). Joanna Lumley re-named Sea Princess in 2005 and Sophia Loren – who has gone on to be godmother to 11 MSC cruise ships – named Crown Princess in 1990.
So who will it be? What’s your best guess?
Of the events which have been confirmed, 10,000 previous Princess passengers and 2,000 travel agents will be invited aboard for events on June 8, 11 and 12. Two preview cruises to the Channel Islands depart on June 9 and June 14.
The maiden voyage proper, to the Mediterranean, departs on Sunday June 16.
Paul Ludlow, Princess Cruises UK director, said, “We are delighted that Royal Princess will have her inauguration here in Southampton. We have a number of exciting events planned to ensure that our UK past passengers and travel agents are amongst the first to experience all Royal Princess has to offer. This opportunity for British passengers to see Royal Princess highlights the growing popularity of Princess Cruises in the UK and the importance of this country to the Princess Cruises brand.
“As befits a launch of this stature, we are currently finalising plans for the naming to ensure that the celebration captures the spirit of the occasion.”