Julie Andrews, star of stage, screen, concert hall and now Southampton Docks, takes top billing at the naming of the world's newest cruise ship in the city tomorrow.

The Oscar-winning star of many box-office successes including the 1960s blockbuster films, the Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and Thoroughly Modern Millie, will become godmother to the 68,000-ton ultra luxury vessel Crystal Serenity in a glittering quayside ceremony.

The superstar actress and singer, who was made a Dame in the Queen's Honours List three years ago, will join members of the Royal Family and other showbusiness personalities who have all officially named ships in Southampton so far this year.

Dame Julie, who as Maria set the hills alive with the sound of music, will now do the same for the less picturesque surroundings of 38/9 berth in the Eastern Docks as she takes her place as the event's guest of honour on the city's waterfront.

A choir is due to sing a medley of her famous songs from the many hit films she has starred in as two-time Golden Globe winner, Dame Julie arrives on the dockside alongside the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal.

The actress has learned quite a few scripts during her long career but none of her lines have been as famous and well known as the words she will announce during the ceremony.

After saying: "I name this ship Crystal Serenity, may God bless her and all who sail in her'', Dame Julie will send the traditional bottle of champagne smashing against the side of the vessel marking its official entry into service.

Hundreds of VIP guests from around the world will be arriving in the port of Southampton for the christening ceremony and the gala lunch being held on the ship as part of the event.

Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises, owners and operators of the new vessel, said: "As a world renowned performer, Dame Julie's remarkable career has solidified her stature as an international legend and secured her place in the hearts of generations of fans around the world.

"Her refined sense of style, elegance and immense talent are so closely aligned with Crystal's reputation that she is the perfect choice for Crystal Serenity's Godmother.

"It is a joy and honour for everyone at Crystal Cruises to have Dame Julie send our new ship into service.''

It is something of a tradition for Crystal Cruises to have a well known actress name their vessels. The company's two current ships, Crystal Harmony, was christened in 1990 by Mary Tyler Moore, and Crystal Symphony, a regular caller to the port of Southampton, was christened in 1995 by Angela Lansbury.

This latest naming will be the fifth ceremony of its kind in Southampton this year reflecting the strong position that the city now holds in the multi-billion-pound international cruising industry.

The Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Phillips were both in Southampton in May for the double ceremony for P&O Cruises' vessels, Adonia and Oceana, while showbusiness personality, Ulrika Jonsson christened Ocean Village in April and Saga Pearl was named by broadcaster, Angela Rippon a few weeks ago.

Naming of ships is a ceremony that can be traced way back in history to as early as the third millennium BC.

From the early Vikings to the Greeks and Romans and later through the Middle Ages, the blessing of a ship has always been an important event before a ship's maiden voyage.

These roots have led to the more traditional practice of breaking a bottle across the ship's hull before its first sail.

Crystal Cruises has a strong reputation within the shipping industry for the high standards on board their vessels which are regularly voted among some of the top cruise ships sailing today.

Since its inception in 1988, Crystal Cruises has specialised in the top end of the industry and Crystal Serenity is claimed to take levels of luxury on board the company's vessel to a new high level.

Prices for the 14-day maiden voyage on Crystal Serenity to Northern Europe, which appeals especially to American passengers, also come at the top end of the range.

If you want to pamper yourself in one of Crystal Serenity's four exclusive penthouse suites, each with their own private verandah, then the price tag is around £22,000 per person.

For that price passengers will find themselves in a suite on deck 11 with sweeping views across the waves. There is a lounge with a state-of-the-art entertainment centre, a separate master bedroom complete with remote controlled curtains.

The marble bathroom also has a view out across the water and is equipped with a whirlpool bath and a large shower area.

Your very own butler will look after you during the voyage making sure the afternoon tea trolley always arrives, and evening hors d'oeuvres are served before dinner.

The ship's maiden voyage leaves Southampton next Monday and visits Germany, Denmark, Norway, the Shetland Islands, Scotland and Ireland before returning back into port on Monday, July 21.

She will then depart Southampton and continue her inaugural season with summer cruises in Europe, the Mediterranean, and Black Sea, followed by a transatlantic crossing, two Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages, and a combined Christmas and new year's Mexican Riviera sailing.