Dame Helen Mirren names Ventura

UNDER the cover of darkness a shadowy squad of elite British forces swung into action and saved the day in Southampton last night.

This was one mission that simply could not fail, so the military muscle of the Royal Marines was ordered to deliver the hardest of blows to ensure one of the city's biggest celebrations went without a hitch.

Dangling on ropes 120ft above the docks, the marines shattered two ceremonial bottles of champagne with a resounding crash, and to everyone's relief Ventura, the world's newest cruise ship, was well and truly christened.

In previous dockside ceremonies there were occasions when bottles failed to smash, which seafarers consider to be an omen of bad luck.

But this time P&O Cruises was determined nothing would be left to chance.

The result was a dazzling event that mixed showbusiness glamour, film, lighting and stage effects in a sensational ceremony never seen before on a British cruise ship.

Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren, who so regally portrayed the Queen in the film of the same name, was invited to be the supership's godmother, a role performed by members of the Royal family in the past.

And the Royal Marines made sure Ventura was properly christened by cracking two bottles of champagne over the ship's name emblazoned on the side of the vessel.

Earlier on the dockside Dame Helen met the two marines, Alistair Burton and Carl Thurgood, who would make the dramatic descent down the side of the ship.

"This is an incredible honour, to be here and say those famous words that will give this beautiful ship her name," said Dame Helen, who wore a stunning ball gown.

"The bottles of champagne are in the extremely safe hands of Alistair and Karl, so it will be an evening to remember.'' Featuring a cloak and dagger James Bond-style film centred on Ventura, the ceremony was a major break with tradition.

After Dame Helen said the famous words "I name this ship...'' she did not simply press a button to send the champers cascading over the ship, but instead ordered the marines into action.

At her command the two marines abseiled down the side of the ship and smashed the champagne bottles to ensure Ventura began her career in the time-honoured way.

Among those who appeared in the Ventura film were former James Bond actor Roger Moore and Jonathan Pryce, who played evil Elliot Carver in the movie Tomorrow Never Dies. They were joined by Miranda Raison from the television series Spooks, news presenter Selina Scott and actress Patricia Hodge.

About 1,500 guests, including famous faces from television, theatre and the silver screen, mingled on Ventura's deck to watch the unique ceremony, which concluded with a glittering firework display that lit up the night sky over the 115,000-ton supership.

On Ventura's VIP guest list were chef Marco Pierre White, who has a restaurant on Ventura, comedian Rowan Atkinson, Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst, actress Cherie Lunghi, who recently appeared in the drama series Casualty 1907, and radio presenter Sarah Kennedy.

Others included Emmerdale actress Adele Silva, Ballykissangel and Drop the Dead Donkey actor Stephen Tomkinson, Kate Ford who was formerly Tracy Barlow in Coronation Street, Reading FC captain Graham Murty, and Bruce Oldfield, the British fashion designer brought up and educated in the care of Barnardo's, one of three charities that benefited from the gala occasion.

The two other charities were Naomi House, the children's hospice near Winchester, and Kids Company, which supports vulnerable children in deprived areas.

Nigel Esdale, managing director of P&O Cruises, told guests: "It's an honour and a privilege that Dame Helen so kindly agreed to christen the outstanding new addition to our fleet.

"We hope that Ventura will, in some way, emulate her godmother by establishing a famed and distinguished reputation the world over and by becoming another great symbol of British achievement.

"At the same time we were determined to get the bottle-smashing right, and we are grateful for the military assistance of the Royal Marines.'' During a tour of the ship, Dame Helen met youngsters representing the three charities and also chatted with Micky Arison, chairman and chief executive of the giant Miami-based Carnival Corporation, the parent company of P&O Cruises, which operates more than 80 cruise ships across ten different brands.

The first master of the ship, Captain Alistair Clark, who has a home in Warsash, presented Dame Helen with of a pair of diamond and pearl earrings.

Following the naming ceremony Ventura hosted a celebration dinner in her three main restaurants before guests were entertained by the vessel's singers and dancers in the sumptuous Arena Theatre.

Ventura is set to leave on her maiden Mediterranean voyage tomorrow evening.

Take a look through our Welcome Ventura' supplement