The latest addition to P&O's cruise fleet, the 115,000-ton Azura, will host one of the world's best-loved ballerinas during its glittering naming ceremony.
Darcey Bussell will be Godmother to Azura when the ceremony takes place on the vessel's top deck in Southampton Docks on April 10th ahead of her maiden
Mediterranean cruise.
Carol Marlow,
P&O Cruises' managing director, said that Ms Bussell "epitomises glamour, sophistication and elegance", qualities that Azura hopes to achieve.
"Azura will offer the service, quality and entertainment associated with cruising at its very best and as dance will play a key part in this, it is entirely fitting for Darcey to give Azura the best possible start in life," she commented.
More than 1,200 invited guests will attend the naming ceremony before Azura sails to Malaga, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Venice.
The superliner, which can accommodate 3,100 passengers, features a dance floor in its atrium, ten restaurants and a state-of-the-art health and beauty spa.
One of Azura's highlights promises to be her Sindhu restaurant, which is run by Michelin star-winning chef Atul Kochhar.
Written by Chris Smith
