ALL the glamour and glitz of a night out at a Hollywood premiere is coming to Southampton when the 77,499-ton superliner Sea Princess holds a special charity gala occasion.

There will be dazzling movie-themed entertainment and even the chance to spot a celebrity or two as the Princess Cruises' vessel raises much needed cash for the children's charity, Barnardo's.

Tickets for what will be one of city's biggest and most lavish parties of the year have just gone on sale.

The award-winning Princess Cruises is one of the top names in the global shipping industry and now the company's US-style of cruising is coming to the UK.

Sea Princess is making her home port Southampton for a summer-long series of voyages.

Princess Cruises is keeping mum about the identity of the celeb who will perform the spectacular naming ceremony, but a company spokesman said: "The person will be perfect for such an event. We will be revealing the name shortly."

During the celebrations on Thursday, May 26 the ship will formally be renamed Sea Princess.

That's the name the vessel was initially known as when she first entered service at the end of 1998.

Those attending the event will some of the first to be welcomed on board Sea Princess's ten passenger decks after the ship undergoes a wide-ranging refit in Southampton's Western Docks.

One of the most striking additions to the ship will be an open air "Movies under the Stars" 300 square foot cinema screen showing all the latest movies.

Passengers will be able to relax over dinner or even watch while floating in the swimming pool or lounging on deck.

Carol Marlow, Princess Cruises' UK director, said: "We thought Hollywood glamour would be the perfect theme for this special event.

The premiere party includes cocktails, sumptuous gala dinner, special Broadway style show and dancing into the small hours.

Suzy Humphries, Barnardo's event development manager said: "The charity works with more than 110,000 children, young people and their families each year in community-based projects that tackle issues such as poverty, deprivation and abuse.

"Having the support of Princess Cruises means a great to us and will raise vital funds to help the children who depend on us."

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