Michael
Carbonara, Tyra Banks,
Britto, Randy Fenoli, Original "Love
Boat" Cast Members,
Celebrity Chefs and TV
Personalities on hand to Celebrate
Plus Musical
Performance by Natasha Bedingfield
BARCELONA, Spain, April 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a spectacular
celebration today at the Port of Barcelona, award-winning actress and performer
Hannah Waddingham officially
welcomed the newest and most innovative Princess Cruises ship – Sun
Princess – serving as godmother during a star-studded naming
ceremony.
The time-honored maritime tradition took place onboard Sun
Princess in the all-new Princess Arena and Waddingham, alongside
the ship's Captain Craig Street,
joyously pronounced, "I name this ship Sun Princess. May God bless
her and all who sail on her." She then released the celebratory
bottle of Champagne to smash against the ship wishing good fortune
to all of the ship's guests and crew sailing to incredible
destinations all over the world.
"Hannah is globally admired and adored for her immense talent
and determination. Those qualities coupled with her family's deep
connection and love for the sea make her the perfect godmother for
our sensational new Sun Princess," said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. "We
are honored that she has joined us for this pinnacle moment, and
that she will remain a treasured part of the ship's legacy
forever."
Known for her adored role as Rebecca
Welton in "Ted Lasso,"
Waddingham said being named Sun Princess godmother is a "pinch me"
moment as she joins an esteemed group of women, including members
of the Royal Family, who have also served as godmothers to Princess
ships: Diana, Princess of Wales
(Royal Princess, 1984); Kate
Middleton, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess 2013); Audrey Hepburn (Star Princess, 1989);
Sophia Loren (Crown Princess, 1990);
Martha Stewart (Crown Princess,
2006); among many notable celebrities and dignitaries.
Waddingham grew up boating and has fond memories of weekends in
Dunkirk. In addition, her grandfather served in the Royal Navy
during World War II.
"As much as theatre has always rippled through my bloodstream so
too has a strong, historic familial connection with the Royal Navy
and all things nautical," said Waddingham. "I have of course seen
over the years the iconic godmothers who have been asked to
represent these magnificent ships and looked on in awe. It is
therefore such a great privilege to have been asked to act as
Godmother to the Sun Princess, first of her class. I can't quite
believe it."
Actor and magician Michael
Carbonaro served as master of ceremonies for the event, and
joined by a host of celebrities and TV personalities including
Tyra Banks, Romero Britto, Randy
Fenoli, Jeff Corwin,
Rob Floyd, along with celebrated
chefs Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and beloved original "Love Boat"
cast members Jill Whelan
(Vicki Stubing), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Bernie Kopell (Doc).
In addition, Natasha Bedingfield
was on hand to fittingly perform her smash hit "Pocket Full of
Sunshine," along with other award-winning hits including
"Unwritten."
What's New, What's Next
Princess to Add
Ship-within-a-Ship Concept to Sun Princess, Star
Princess
Sanctuary Collection Debuts in
September
Prior to the Sun Princess naming ceremony,
Princess President John Padgett
shared a few details on what's ahead for the world's most iconic
cruise brand. Notable news included introducing the exclusive,
next-level Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess, as the ship
prepares to debut this select, all-inclusive oasis in October 2024. Guests reserving in the Sanctuary
Collection will enjoy exclusive access to the ship's top-deck
retreat area, along with many additional bespoke events and
high-end amenities designed to enhance their voyage.
Star Princess to Sail Alaska Voyages in Summer
2026
Also announced, the next Sphere-Class ship, Star
Princess, will sail her first full summer in 2026 in Alaska, making it the first of its class to
ever sail to the Great Land. Star Princess is currently under
construction and scheduled to debut in the Mediterranean in
September 2025.
Princess Collaborates with Celebrities to Launch Love Line
Premium Liquors
Princess also revealed its newest
indulgence - the "Love Line Premium Liquors" collection. Crafted in
collaboration with renowned celebrities Pitbull, Jason Aldean and Romero
Britto, this exclusive line of wines and spirits promises an
unparalleled experience for guests sailing aboard ships from the
Love Boat. The new premium collection features meticulously
selected wines and spirits, each bearing the unique touch of its
celebrity partner including Voli Vodka by Pitbull, Love Prosecco by
Britto, and Melorosa Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from
Jason Aldean. The Love Line collection is currently available
aboard Sun Princess, and will roll out to all the ships in the
Princess fleets throughout the summer.
Love by Britto Officially Debuts Aboard Sun
Princess
During the day's festivities, Love by Britto,
an artistic-inspired dining experience from world-renowned artist
Romero Britto, made its debut. Known
for his bold, colorful, and joyful style, and a global advocate for
happiness, Britto has created a dining concept that serves as an
exquisite showcase of the artist's iconic and joyful designs
against the backdrop of a boutique restaurant designed to immerse
couples in a world of vivid colors, bold patterns, and heartfelt
emotions. Unlike anything else in cruising, the venue also
highlights the talents of Princess Cruises' Head of Culinary Arts
Rudi Sodamin who has created an array of tantalizing choices that
embody profound passion, exquisite flavor, and boundless creativity
with a seven-course, prix fixe menu ($149 per person) that begins with a flute of
Champagne upon arrival and features luxury ingredients including
lobster, caviar and truffles, and dessert options that always
include chocolate fondue.
More About Sun Princess Godmother Hannah
Waddingham
British actress and singer, Waddingham is beloved
for her role as Rebecca Welton in
Apple TV+'s "Ted Lasso," in
which her performance garnered a Primetime Emmy, Critics Choice
Television Award and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as two
individual Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. She
will next be seen in the highly anticipated Universal film "The
Fall Guy" opposite Ryan Gosling and
Emily Blunt in theaters on
May 3, 2024. Earlier this year,
Waddingham earned a BAFTA TV Award nomination for her own Apple TV+
holiday special "Hannah Waddingham:
Home for Christmas." Waddingham made her worldwide hosting debut in
April 2023 at The Olivier Awards (she
returned as host for the 2024 ceremony) followed swiftly by the BBC
Eurovision Song Contest 2023, for which she has gained her second
BAFTA TV nomination and won The Royal Television Society award for
"Best Entertainment Performance" in 2024. Her upcoming films
include Sony Animation film "Garfield" out May 24, 2024 and in 2025 "Mission: Impossible –
Dead Reckoning Part Two."
More About Sun Princess
The new 177,882-ton,
4,300-guest Sun Princess introduces an innovative new ship platform
designed exclusively for the world's most iconic cruise brand. A
true engineering marvel, Sun Princess officially started its
inaugural cruise season on February 28,
2024, and currently is sailing a series of Mediterranean
voyages before debuting in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla., in October for the ship's first
Caribbean season.
Princess ships are renowned for offering spacious venues and Sun
Princess takes that to the next level. Sun Princess debuts new
eye-catching experience venues including The Dome, a groundbreaking
geodesic, glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship inspired
by the terraces of Santorini. The outward and suspended Sphere
Atrium, the namesake of this new class of ship, takes the central
Piazza hub of the ship into a new dimension. Here guests are
enveloped with expansive ocean views and an open concept, inspired
to deliver the desired lifestyle of relaxed indoor and outdoor
living.
Sun Princess offers an extraordinary cruise experience with
not-to-be-missed culinary, entertainment and luxury accommodations,
including:
The Greatest Foodie Destination at Sea
Sun Princess
serves up 30 inviting restaurant and bar venues with an
unprecedented collection of celebrity collaborators, high-end
ingredients and culinary experiences from:
- Spellbound by Magic Castle: Blending the captivating
world of magic with the art of culinary and mixology to create an
extraordinary, innovative and immersive dining experience, steeped
in magic and adventure.
- Makoto Ocean: Reshaping
traditional sushi with a creative approach, the Master of
Edomae-style sushi, Chef Makoto
Okuwa brings his 25 years of experience with a new concept
crafting playful, exquisitely presented dishes paying tribute to
Japanese traditions.
- Love by Britto: A high-end boutique restaurant with the
most romantic view from the ship celebrating love and art from
world-renowned artist Romero
Britto.
- The Butcher's Block by Dario: A new specialty pop-up
restaurant from the world's most famous butcher Dario Cecchini, guests enjoy perfectly prepared
beef and steak, including Cecchini's signature cuts.
- The Catch by Rudi: An exceptional dinner concept from
renowned Chef Rudi Sodamin
showcasing delectable treasures from the sea.
- Good Spirits at Sea with Rob
Floyd: Destination-inspired, one-of-a-kind cocktail
creations from celebrity mixologist Rob
Floyd.
Debuting a three-story dining room with endless aft views,
inaugural menus have been created in collaboration with the
Culinary Institute of America. While
retaining what guests love about Princess, the ship also features
favorites like Crown Grill, Sabatini's and Crooners with new design
elements to impress.
Showstopping Entertainment in Technically Advanced
Spaces
The Princess Arena is the most technologically advanced theater at
sea, offering showstopping and original productions including
performances in the round. At night, The Dome astonishes audiences
with acrobatic Cirque Éloize performances while the Piazza dazzles
with a retractable stage and immersive Champagne
Waterfall.
Elevated & Welcoming Areas &
Accommodations
Sun Princess also features the cruise line's
largest casino, two-story Lotus Spa, and an expanded
retail environment with more than 200 premium brands. The retail
space also includes several firsts a sea including an upscale
showroom dedicated to luxury horology showcasing TAG Heuer and
Breitling and more than 25 new brands available to cruise guests
like Italian handbag brand, Pinko and athleisure favorites Beyond
Yoga and Varley.
With diverse accommodations to suit every preference and more
than 1,500 cabins with balcony views, Sun Princess' re-imagined
staterooms include exceptional suites and new Cabana Mini-Suites
with extra space for secluded outdoor relaxation.
Rooted in sustainability, Sun Princess is the first LNG
(liquefied natural gas) vessel for the cruise line, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and features ingenious energy recovery
systems for eco-conscious cruising.
Sun Princess cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are on sale now. More ship details
can be found at www.princess.com/sunprincess.
More information about Princess Cruises is available through a
professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess
(1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.
About Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise
brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every
year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships
that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary
of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class
dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and
entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and
boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass
service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments
in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera,
Europe, South America, Australia/New
Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia,
Canada/New
England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).
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