It's Raining Ships in April

England will be filled with cruise aficionados this April as three new ships hold their celebrated naming ceremonies.

First up is MSC Cruises, holding their ceremony on April 5 in Dover when Sophia Loren steps up to christen MSC Poesia, the company’s fifth new ship - all of which have been named by the Italian diva.

Eleven days later the focus of attention moves to Southampton where P&O Cruises’ Ventura, the largest cruise ship ever designed for the British market, will be named by Dame Helen Mirren on the evening of the 16th.

Finishing out the season is Royal Caribbean International with their inaugural celebrations for Independence of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, before she begins her first season ex-Southampton. The godmother for the April 30 launch has not been disclosed. Many guests invited to the ceremony will have a chance to stay on board for two nights providing the opportunity to spend the rest of the next day and night sampling the FlowRider surf simulator, ice skating, the rock climbing wall plus the shops, restaurants and bars of the Royal Promenade, dinner and evening entertainment.

Hope my invitation is in the mail!