New Orleans Welcome for Carnival Sunshine

Naming Ceremony

Back in May, the Carnival Sunshine emerged from dry-dock after the $155m refurbishment of the Carnival Destiny which brought new features, such as the new dining options and waterpark to what is now known as Carnival Sunshine.

The ship was sailing in Europe until this past weekend when it arrived in New Orleans which will be its new home through May 2014.

Farewell Destiny Hello Sunshine

On Sunday, Lin Arison, wife of the late Ted Arison, Founder of Carnival Cruise Line, named the ship following an event that paid homage to the arts.   About 600 people were in attendance for the
performance by YoungArts, which included jazz classics, tap-dancing and modern dance.  

On stage in the Liquid Lounge theater, Arison, along with Sunshine Captain Giuseppe Giusa, pulled a ribbon attached to an oversized replica of a Champagne bottle -- the crowd then watched on video monitors as the real thing smashed on the hull of the ship as is the nautical tradition.
 
Carnival's Senior Cruise Director John Heald recaps the Carnival Sunshine's naming ceremony in this video:
   

Senior Cruise Director 

John Heald Tours 

Carnival Sunshine

How do you breath new life into a 17 year old cruise ship?  

 

Watch these videos as Senior Cruise Directory John Heald takes you on a guided tour of the changes made to what was previously known as Carnival Destiny.  You will be amazed at the transformation.  It's just as good as having a brand new ship introduced to the fleet and it becomes more cost effective.

 

 

Royal Princess Christened

Royal Princess 

Named By Godmother   
Duchess of Cambridge 

If you weren't up at 6:15 AM Eastern time this morning, then you missed the naming of Princess Cruises newest ship, Royal Princess, by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, better known as the former "Kate" Middleton.

Thanks to Princess Cruises, we are able to share this image and video for those that missed this Royal occasion.

Do you know why a bottle of champagne is broken against the hull of a new ship?

   

Wine poured upon the deck before a long voyage represents a libation to the gods which will bring good luck. "Christening" a ship by breaking a bottle of champagne across her bow at the time of launching arose from this practice.  Read more about Nautical Superstitions & Legends.

     

Related Posts:

Royal Princess Arrives in Southampton

A Royal Godmother for New Ship
Royal Princess Float Out
A New Princess is Born
Introducing Princess Cruises Newest Ship 

A Royal Godmother for New Ship

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge – Royal Princess^®

June 13, 2013 | Southampton, England

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine Elizabeth "Kate"; née Middleton), the wife of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, has graciously accepted Princess Cruises' invitation to become the Godmother of Royal Princess.

The Duchess is admired around the world for her style and grace, The Duchess has had a major impact on British fashion and was named on of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time Magazine in 2012. She is a supporter of several British charities including The Art Room, Action on Addiction, East Anglia's Children's Hospice, the National Portrait Gallery and the Scout Association.

Tradition & Royalty

Like her namesake that debuted in 1984, the new Royal Princess is indeed a special ship, inspiring an equally special godmother. The ship will be officially named  in a spectacular ceremony on 13 June 2013 in the port of Southampton, that will combine some nautical traditions, special British elements and contemporary touches.

The ceremony will uphold British ship-naming traditions including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards, together with contemporary highlights.

Alan Buckelew, the line’s president and CEO said “It is a great honor 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.”

Inaugural Year

Click to view PDF

Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday, June 7, where she will commence a series of events for customers and travel agents, including a special naming gala on the evening of Wednesday, June 12. The ship’s inaugural celebrations will conclude with her maiden voyage on June 16.

Two preview cruises will take place (June 9 and June 14). The cruises will sail round-trip from Southampton on a two-night itinerary which calls in St. Peter Port, Guernsey.   Following the inaugural voyage, Royal Princess will sail 12-night cruises out of Barcelona and Venice throughout the summer. A sister ship, Regal Princess, will arrive in spring 2014. 

Related Posts:

Royal Princess Float Out
A New Princess is Born
Introducing Princess Cruises Newest Ship

Iron Chef Christens New Ship

Photo courtesy Oceania Cruises

Oceania Riviera

Christened in Spain

by Iron Chef Cat Cora

Barcelona, Spain was the site Friday for the traditional Christening Ceremony for Oceania Riviera. Iron Chef Cat Cora, Godmother of the new ship, arrived onboard the ship Wednesday, where she was presented with a gift of a stunning diamond necklace and earrings during a luncheon attended by executives of Oceania Cruises.

In keeping with the nautical traditions, Godmother Cora reached for the jewel-studded lever and released a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin champagne, declaring...

“I name this ship Riviera. May God bless her and all who sail with her.”

Chef Cora was beaming as she approached the stage. “I want to say as the mother of four boys – finally I have a girl! And isn’t she a beauty!”

She went on to say how honored she was to be joining the Oceania Cruises family. “I couldn’t be more thrilled. With the Oceania family I feel like I share so many of their values: loyalty, friendship, and excellence as well as the best of travel, food and wine. I want to thank Frank, Bob and Kunal as well as…all of the hundreds of crew members that are the soul of this ship and that will be making me proud as it sails around the world.”

This naming ceremony had a Spanish flare with the port decked in the vibrant reds and yellows of Catalonia. Flamenco dancers and Spanish guitarists were on hand to entertain those fortunate to be present for the event.  See Oceania Cruises photo album, #Riviera's Christening in Barcelona, for more pictures of the Christening.   Congratulations on the launch of another beautiful luxury ship.

Ship Specifications

---

Riviera: Debuts in 2012 Tonnage: 66,084 Length: 785 feet Beam: 106 feet Maximum Draught: 24 feet Stabilizers: Yes Cruising Speed: 20 knots Guest Decks: 11

Total Decks: 15 Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy) Staff Size: 800 Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1 Nationality of Officers: European Nationality of Staff: International Country of Registry: Marshall Island

Carnival Magic Naming Ceremony

Carnival Magic Naming Ceremony  May 1, 2011

The Magic and Fun Begins Today in Venice

Venice, Italy was the sight of today's naming ceremony for the 100th vessel in the Carnival Corporation's fleet. The brand new Carnival Magic, sister ship to Carnival Dream, was christened today in accordance with maritime tradition.  This latest "Fun Ship" is 130,000 tons of fun.

Naming a godmother is a shipbuilding tradition that dates back to ancient times, and helps bring the ship good fortune. Someone who knows a thing or two about good fortune is Lindsey Wilkerson, a childhood cancer survivor who was treated at St. Jude, and now grown up, is a spokesperson and employee, helping the hospital in its mission to end childhood cancer. Carnival is a partner with St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and thought it was fitting to have Lindsey be the godmother of Carnival Magic.

Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line 
(Click to see more photos and read more about ceremony)

Carnival Magic - Now Sailing in Europe on its Maiden Voyage

Silversea Silver Spirit Crosses Atlantic

Silversea Cruises
Silver Spirit

January 3, 2010: Maiden Transatlantic Voyage, Lisbon, Portugal
Always an important time for any oceangoing ship, a first transoceanic voyage announces the new vessel’s presence to the world. Silver Spirit makes this sailing during a 16-day “Maiden Crossing” from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale.

Silversea Cruises Silver Spirit was delivered by Fincantieri shipbuilders on December 16, 2009. The 36,000 gross ton ship has 270 cabins making it the largest ship in Silversea's fleet. At the delivery, President Amerigo Perasso indicated that they hold an option for an additional sister ship to the Silver Spirit. We will keep an eye on this and let you know if that plan becomes a reality.

Highlights on the ship include six restaurants, including two that charge a fee, along with an Art Deco décor with lots of burgundy and dark woods. The ship’s official inaugural cruise departed December 23rd from Barcelona to Lisbon.

January 21, 2010 will be the next milestone date for the Silver Spirit as it will be christened in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and depart on its 91-day “Grand Inaugural Voyage” to 45 ports in 20 nations including Brazil, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico.

Additional information about Silver Spirit including itineraries can be found here.

If you like small ships, luxury accommodations and service, Silver Spirit or one of the other ships in the Silversea's fleet might be a good candidate for your next cruise.

Oasis of the Seas Naming Ceremony

NAMING CERMEONY STREAMING LIVE AT 5:30 pm Eastern TODAY
Seven Godmothers Video: Highlights from Naming Ceremony (click here)

SEVEN GODMOTHERS to PRESIDE OVER OASIS OF THE SEAS

Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, Royal Caribbean International will put a new twist on one of maritime’s longest standing traditions - the naming ceremony of Oasis of the Seas will have seven godmothers instead of the usual one.

Royal Caribbean has chosen seven extraordinary godmothers to represent the seven signature neighborhoods onboard Oasis of the Seas. According to RCI, each of the seven godmothers was chosen because they personify strength of character, exemplify the spirit of giving, and are role models for men, women and children alike.

The godmothers include:

• Gloria Estefan, world-renowned singer, songwriter, actor and author

• Michelle Kwan, the Olympic Games medalist

• Jane Seymore, a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor, as well as an Officer of the British Empire

• Dara Torres, twelve-time Olympic medalist

• Keshia Knight Pulliam, film and television actress

• Shawn Johnson, four-time medalist at the 2008 Olympic games for women’s gymnastics and cancer philanthropist

• Daisy Fuentes, international television personality and producer, beauty and fitness expert, and recognized role model for Latin-American women in the United States

For more details about these godmothers, see the official press release.

See my other posts about Oasis of the Seas. (use search feature in the right-hand navigation)

Carnival Dream Naming Ceremony

Carnival Dream Christening - Photo Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

Watch Video

Carnival Dream Naming Ceremony

Thursday, November 12, 2009

On September 18, 200 Carnival Cruise Lines officially took delivery of its newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. A traditional maritime handover ceremony was held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Since that time, the Carnival Dream completed 3 Mediterranean cruises and a transatlantic crossing to New York City where the naming ceremony was held November 12th.

Senior Cruise Director John Heald and her godmother, actress Marcia Gay Harden, officially welcomed the newest and largest ship to the Carnival fleet with an uplifting and entertaining ceremony. Anytime that John Heald is involved, you can be sure there will be some lively entertainment.

Catch the video recap of that event here. Also, take a peek at the full day of celebration and fun-filled activities, featuring the Carnival Dream's godmother unveiling Carnival Cruise Line's big book of dreams . View pictures here

Your dreams can come true on Carnival Dream... Check out Carnival Dream Sailings