Celebrating the Official Christening of the Newest Princess Cruise Ship in Spain

The new Sphere-class Sun Princess has been officially named in a stunning ceremony at Port of Barcelona in Spain.

Port of Barcelona was truly brighter than the sun on Monday, April 23 as the new Sun Princess was officially christened in a stunning ceremony befitting the first Sphere-class vessel.

Local officials, cruise line executives, VIPs, and more were in attendance to bring the new ship into the fleet with all the glamour of her heritage at a naming ceremony that also included time-honored maritime traditions.

While she has already been welcoming guests for several weeks since her maiden voyage began on February 28, 2024, it wasn’t until Monday, April 23, that Sun Princess was officially christened at a lavish ceremony in Barcelona, Spain.

The event was filled with remarks from senior officials and traditional ceremonies, which included blessings for the ship and best wishes for everyone who will sail on it during what is expected to be a lengthy and distinguished service life.

The event was held on the ship while it was docked in Barcelona, with actor and magician Michael Carbonaro acting as the master of ceremonies. Many celebrities and notable individuals, including Tyra Banks, Romero Britto, Randy Fenoli, Jeff Corwin, Rob Floyd, and beloved original “Love Boat” cast members Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), Ted Lange (Isaac), and Bernie Kopell (Doc) were present.

English singer Natasha Bedingfield also performed on the ship for the occasion, playing several songs for the excited audiences.

The Sun Princess’s godmother, award-winning actress and performer Hannah Waddingham, had the privilege of officially proclaiming the ship’s name and releasing the celebratory bottle of champagne to smash against the ship for good luck.

“I name this ship Sun Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her,” Waddingham said at the moment of the christening.

Waddingham herself has deep connections to nautical traditions, as her grandfather served in the Royal Navy during World War II and she grew up with weekends spent boating in Dunkirk.

“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. “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.”

Waddingham is best known for her role as Rebecca Welton in “Ted Lasso” as well as appearances in “Game of Thrones” and “Benidorm” among other television shows and movies. She has received many notable awards for her work, including a Primetime Emmy, Critics Choice Television Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award, plus Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

Read Also: Princess Cruises Unveils Senior Officers for New Cruise Ship

“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.”

The long-awaited Sun Princess is bringing forth a new era for Princess Cruises with the innovative Sphere class. Among the new features onboard are unprecedented culinary opportunities such as Makoto Ocean, Spellbound by Magic Castle, The Butcher’s Block by Dario, and The Catch by Rudi.

The Princess Arena – venue for the naming ceremony – is the most cutting-edge theatre on the ocean, providing a range of performances at every cruise, including Cirque Éloize acrobatic productions that captivate the audience.

In addition to this, the ship houses the most expansive casino of the Princess Cruises’ fleet, boasts a double-decker Lotus Spa, an enhanced luxury retail space, and a lot more.

With a massive measure of 175,000-gross-ton, the vessel has the capacity to accommodate 4,300 guests, making it the largest ship ever built for Princess Cruices. Known for being the first Princess ship to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), it is presently providing a wide variety of Mediterranean tours throughout the summer. In mid-October of 2024, it will embark on its first transatlantic voyage and dock at its homeport in Fort Lauderdale.

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