Tag Archives: naming ceremony

‘Love Boat’ cast to christen Regal Princess

Posted on by
Reply

The Love Boat Theme

By Tom Stieghorst

Princess Cruises said the original cast of the “Love Boat” television series has been chosen to name the Regal Princess at a ceremony in November in Fort Lauderdale.

The 3,560-passenger ship has been sailing since its inaugural cruise from Venice in May.

Six “Love Boat” cast members who played the roles of Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod), Gopher (Fred Grandy), Isaac (Ted Lange), Doc (Bernie Kopell), Julie (Lauren Tewes) and Vicki (Jill Whelan) will reunite for the Nov. 5 naming.

Princess said the christening will mark the beginning of a series of events to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 2015.

The pilot episode of The Love Boat was shot aboard Princess’ the original 730-passenger Sun Princess in 1977.

 

Norwegian Breakaway christened in extravaganza

Posted on by
Reply

By Tom Stieghorst
Norwegian Breakaway RockettesNorwegian Breakaway was officially christened in an hour-plus extravaganza that culminated in a Rockettes chorus line and a crash of a champagne bottle onto the side of its Peter Max-painted hull.

The festivities were held in 10 areas throughout the ship and simulcast to each area.

Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan presided in the main theater, with help from key players such as “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro and chef Geoffrey Zakarian.

SpongeBob SquarePants and his Nickelodean friends danced in the Bar at the Atrium and the cast of ballroom dance show “Burn the Floor” tangoed in the Manhattan Room restaurant.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, delivered an invocation for the ship. Other dignitaries on hand were New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg; the premier of Bermuda, Craig Cannonier; and Perry Christie, prime minister of the Bahamas.

Sheehan noted that he used to drive a cab in New York (a video briefly flashed a copy of his 1975 license). “I’m a New Yorker through and through,” he said.

“We’ve taken the best of New York City and taken it to sea,” he said. “You get the best of both worlds”

Duchess of Cambridge to name new cruise liner

Posted on by
Reply

The Duchess of Cambridge is to officially name Princess Cruises’ 3,600-passenger Royal Princess this summer.

The Duchess, whose baby is due in mid-July, will be at Southampton on June 13 for the naming ceremony of Princess Cruises’ 3,600-passenger Royal Princess.

The official ceremony will involve a blessing, the celebratory tradition of smashing a bottle over the hull of the ship and a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards.

The Duchess will also go on board for a brief tour of the new liner which will leave on its maiden voyage on June 16.

Princess Cruises’ president and chief executive Alan Buckelew said today: “It is a great honour for Princess Cruises that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge has accepted our invitation to become the Godmother to Royal Princess.

“We are delighted that the Duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company’s British heritage and our commitment to the country.”

Features of the new ship include a top-deck, glass-bottomed walkway extending 28ft (8.5m) beyond the edge of the ship, the largest pastry shop at sea and balconies on all outside staterooms.

The Royal Princess will go on Mediterranean cruises this summer followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.