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Adonia sets sail after the glitz of Dame Shirley’s naming party

Adonia, the new addition to th P&O Cruises fleet, set off on her maiden voyage today following her glittering naming celebration in Southampton yesterday headed by Dame Shirley Bassey.

As Dame Shirley said the gtraditional words “I name this ship Adonia, may God bless her and all who sail in her”, a magnum of British sparkling wine hit the hull of the ship in an explosion of pink bubbles.

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Photographer Mike O’Dwyer captures Adonia beneath a canopy of fireworks during her naming celebration

Aided by master of ceremonies, actor and star of Downtown Abbey, Hugh Bonneville, around 500 guests witnessed the celebrations with afternoon tea, sparkling wine and tributes to Dame Shirley in performances of her greatest hits.

“I have had the most exciting career imaginable, but to be invited to be Godmother to a cruise ship is something very special and very personal,” she said.

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow added:  “Dame Shirley is Britain’s most successful female artiste ever, a national treasure who defines the word ‘superstar’ and she is now one of our most celebrated godmothers.
“With Dame Shirley’s blessing I am sure Adonia will have a long and illustrious time with P&O Cruises and become a favourite within the fleet as she charms all those who sail on her.”

Adonia provides an extensive range of on board facilities, yet carrying just 710 passengers is small enough to be able to reach off the beaten track ports of call.  Exclusively for adults, Adonia will offer an atmosphere that is intimate and refined – and the on board excellence for which the company is renowned. 

Speaking at the naming, Marlow said: “ It is by no means for the first time that we have been able to claim that we are bucking the trend and going against the fashion of the time. Most cruise lines - including P&O Cruises - have gone down the road of building bigger ships with an extraordinary level of choice and range of facilities. But we also appreciate that while larger ships offer a special experience, and definitely have their place in cruising, there is still a role for smaller ships which offer passengers a more intimate ambience and experience - and not just on-board.

Dame Shirley christens Adonia at the glittering celebrations in Southampton

They can be used as pathfinder ships exploring those ocean routes less travelled, to intriguing ports and destinations that see few if any other cruise ships including Zadar in Croatia, Koper in Slovenia and Savona in Italy.”

Adonia’s maiden cruise is a 16 night cruise to the Western Mediterranean includes calls to Alghero in Sardinia; Portofino in Italy; Sete in France; Port Mahon in Menorca and Barcelona in Spain.

Adonia naming celebrations