Britain’s greatest and best loved female performer, Dame Shirley Bassey DBE, named Adonia, the latest addition to the P&O Cruises fleet today, in a sparkling ceremony in Southampton.
As Dame Shirley said the immortal words “I name this ship Adonia, may God bless her and all who sail in her” a magnum of Hush Heath Balfour rose British sparkling wine hit the hull of the ship in an explosion of pink bubbles.
Aided by master of ceremonies, actor and star of Downtown Abbey, Hugh Bonneville, around 500 guests witnessed the celebrations with afternoon tea, Hush Heath sparkling wine and tributes to Dame Shirley in performances of her greatest hits.
“I have had the most exciting career imaginable, but to be invited to be Godmother to a cruise ship is something very special and very personal,” said Dame Shirley.
“Dame Shirley is Britain’s most successful female artiste ever, a national treasure who defines the word ‘superstar’ and she is now one of our most celebrated godmothers. With Dame Shirley’s blessing I am sure Adonia will have a long and illustrious time with P&O Cruises and become a favourite within the fleet as she charms all those who sail on her,” said P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow.
Adonia provides an extensive range of on board facilities, yet carrying just 710 passengers is small enough to be able to reach off the beaten track ports of call. Exclusively for adults, Adonia will offer an atmosphere that is intimate and refined – and the on board excellence for which the company is renowned.
Speaking at the naming Ms Marlow said: “ It is by no means for the first time that we have been able to claim that we are bucking the trend and going against the fashion of the time. Most cruise lines - including P&O Cruises - have gone down the road of building bigger ships with an extraordinary level of choice and range of facilities. But we also appreciate that whilst larger ships offer a special experience, and definitely have their place in cruising, there is still a role for smaller ships which offer passengers a more intimate ambience and experience - and not just on-board. They can be used as pathfinder ships exploring those ocean routes less travelled, to intriguing ports and destinations that see few if any other cruise ships including Zadar in Croatia, Koper in Slovenia and Savona in Italy.”
Adonia’s maiden cruise on Sunday May 22 is a 16 night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, which includes calls to Alghero in Sardinia; Portofino in Italy; Sete in France; Port Mahon in Menorca and Barcelona in Spain.
Monday, 23 May 2011
Friday, 20 May 2011
P&O Cruises pathfinder ship Adonia arrives in homeport for the first time
The latest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet, Adonia, arrived into its homeport, Southampton, this morning.
Adonia is berthed at the Mayflower Cruise Terminal where it will be named in a glittering ceremony by Dame Shirley Bassey DBE tomorrow, Saturday 21 May. Dame Shirley will be joined on the stage by actor Hugh Bonneville, most recently acclaimed as the Earl of Grantham in ITV’s Downton Abbey and in a nautical Captain’s role in ‘Dr Who’.
Adonia provides an extensive range of on board facilities, yet carrying just 710 passengers is small enough to be able to reach off the beaten track ports of call. Exclusively for adults, Adonia will offer an atmosphere that is intimate and refined – and the on board excellence for which the company is renowned.
P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adonia into her homeport for the very first time. She is the perfect addition to our fleet and will celebrate all those things our regular passengers love about cruising with us – a classic dance floor, Crow’s Nest observation lounge, formal nights, classical music recitals, guest speakers, silver service dining and a dedicated card room.
“Her naming ceremony is going to be a spectacular affair and will give Adonia the best start to her life with P&O Cruises. We look forward to sending her off on her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on Sunday.”
Adonia’s maiden cruise is a 16 night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, which includes calls to Alghero in Sardinia; Portofino in Italy; Sete in France; Port Mahon in Menorca and Barcelona in Spain.
Adonia is berthed at the Mayflower Cruise Terminal where it will be named in a glittering ceremony by Dame Shirley Bassey DBE tomorrow, Saturday 21 May. Dame Shirley will be joined on the stage by actor Hugh Bonneville, most recently acclaimed as the Earl of Grantham in ITV’s Downton Abbey and in a nautical Captain’s role in ‘Dr Who’.
Adonia provides an extensive range of on board facilities, yet carrying just 710 passengers is small enough to be able to reach off the beaten track ports of call. Exclusively for adults, Adonia will offer an atmosphere that is intimate and refined – and the on board excellence for which the company is renowned.
P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adonia into her homeport for the very first time. She is the perfect addition to our fleet and will celebrate all those things our regular passengers love about cruising with us – a classic dance floor, Crow’s Nest observation lounge, formal nights, classical music recitals, guest speakers, silver service dining and a dedicated card room.
“Her naming ceremony is going to be a spectacular affair and will give Adonia the best start to her life with P&O Cruises. We look forward to sending her off on her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on Sunday.”
Adonia’s maiden cruise is a 16 night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, which includes calls to Alghero in Sardinia; Portofino in Italy; Sete in France; Port Mahon in Menorca and Barcelona in Spain.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
P&O Cruises takes delivery of Adonia, the ‘pathfinder’ ship
P&O Cruises has taken delivery of the latest addition to its fleet, Adonia, today May 3 at 3pm.
Adonia is currently in the Bahamas undertaking a refit before coming to Southampton for her inaugural celebrations and maiden season.
At 30,000 tonnes and carrying just 710 passengers, Adonia is able to reach many lesser visited, off the beaten track, ports of call, yet is big enough to provide an extensive range of modern on board facilities. Exclusively for adults, Adonia will offer an atmosphere that is intimate and refined – and the on board excellence for which the company is renowned.
Adonia will be named by Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE in a glittering ceremony in Southampton on Saturday May 21, 2011. Dame Shirley will be joined on the stage by actor Hugh Bonneville, most recently acclaimed as the Earl of Grantham in ITV’s Downton Abbey and soon to appear in a nautical Captain’s role in ‘Dr Who’.
“Dame Shirley is Britain’s most successful female artiste ever; a national treasure who defines the word ‘superstar’, Hugh is one of Britain’s most popular actors. We are Britain's favourite and most successful cruise line and can trace our roots back further than any other line. All in all it’s a perfect combination and one which will give Adonia the best start to her life with P&O Cruises“ said P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow.
“Adonia will be the jewel in the P&O Cruises crown and will celebrate all those things our regular passengers love about cruising with us – a classic dance floor, Crow’s Nest observation lounge, formal nights, classical music recitals, guest speakers, silver service dining and a dedicated card room. Loyal cruisers and those new to cruising alike will be charmed by the refined P&O Cruises experience Adonia will offer,” continued Carol Marlow.
Over 500 invited guests will witness the naming ceremony on Adonia’s Lido deck in Southampton Docks on Saturday, May 21, prior to the vessel’s maiden voyage the following day, a 16 night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, which includes calls to Alghero in Sardinia; Portofino in Italy; Sete in France; Port Mahon and Barcelona in Spain.
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