Carnival Sunshine officially renamed

Carnival Sunshine officially renamed

Carnival Sunshine has finally been officially renamed following its major renovation and unofficial rebranding earlier this year.

Back in May, the vessel – formerly known as the Carnival Destiny – underwent a complete overhaul worth $155 million (£96 million), with the creation of new entertainments including a huge waterpark, new dining venues and improved cabins.

Although it has been sailing on Mediterranean itineraries during the summer, the Sunshine arrived in New Orleans this weekend to be officially renamed in a ceremony that included jazz music and godmother Lin Arison; arts patron, philanthropist and widow of the late Carnival Corporation founder Ted Arison.

Cruise Critic reports that she said: “I think one of the most exciting things that happened today, for me, was going around the ship and seeing the transformation.

“I know that it’s going to continue being lucky, which is the most important thing for a ship.”

At the ceremony itself, there was a marching band, as well as an assortment of singers and dancers, with performers hailing from the National YoungArts Foundation, which was established by the Arisons.

When the ship was christened the first time as the Destiny, it was the world’s largest vessel.

Miami Dolphins cheerleaders to christen Norwegian Getaway

Miami Dolphins cheerleaders to christen Norwegian Getaway

By Tom Stieghorst
MiamiDolphinCheerleaders-NCLSouth Florida’s version of the Rockettes? That would be the Miami Dolphins cheerleading squad.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the cheerleaders for the NFL franchise will be godmothers of the Norwegian Getaway when the ship debuts in February.

Getaway is designed to sail year-round from Miami and be iconic of all things from South Florida. It has Latin restaurants, and a Miami artist designed the hull art.

As part of the package, Norwegian becomes the official cruise line of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium, where the football team plays home games.

Previously, Norwegian picked Radio City Music Hall troupe The Rockettes to be godmothers of the New York-themed Norwegian Breakaway, which debuted earlier this year.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, names Royal Princess

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, names Royal Princess

By Tom Stieghorst

Kate Middleton Names the Royal PrincessSOUTHAMPTON, England — Under a gray but rain-free sky, a crowd of several hundred witnessed the official naming of the Royal Princess, the newest Princess Cruises ship, by British royalty. Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was the godmother. (Click here or on the photo to view images from the event.)

The duchess snipped a cord that sent a magnum of champagne to break on the bow of the ship and triggered a blizzard of blue and white confetti.

The 3,560-passenger ship received a blessing from the Right Reverend Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, who asked God for his “blessing on all who sail in her.”

The ship’s captain, Tony Draper, assisted the duchess, bowing slightly and asking, “Your highness, will you name my ship?”

Dark clouds had threatened to move the christening indoors, but by 11:30 a.m. London time, they had lifted enough to allow the planned dock-side pageantry to go forward.

The entertainment included the Pipers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, and the Royal Marines Band Portsmouth, as well as contemporary singers Natasha Bedingfield and Kerry Ellis.

As is customary, many of the British women in the audience were decked out in hats and feathery headpieces called fascinators for the occasion.