The ceremony in Southampton docks to name the two P&O Cruise vessels, Oceana and Adonia, will have a potential worldwide audience of millions.

An exclusive satellite link is to be set up on the quayside especially for this month's royal occasion, which means that people around the globe will be able to see the event live on the Internet.

The Princess Royal will be in the port to officially name Oceana while her daughter, Zara Phillips, will christen Adonia, on Wednesday, May 21 in a unique double ceremony that has never taken place before in the UK.

It promises to a be a spectacular sight, with the 77,499-ton ships - already dubbed Southampton's White Sisters - bow to bow alongside the Western Docks for the event.

Oceana joined P&O Cruises' city-based fleet last November and since then has been undertaking a winter programme of voyages in the Caribbean.

Adonia's inaugural sailaway takes place in New York this Saturday at the start of an Atlantic crossing to Southampton.

Southampton had its first sight of Oceana when she arrived in port last Saturday, while Adonia is due to make her dramatic entrance into port early morning on Tuesday, May 20.

By late afternoon on Saturday, May 24, crowds are expected along the waterfront to watch the impressive twin departures of both Oceana and Adonia, as they make their way down Southampton Water after the inaugural celebrations.

Oceana will be setting sail on a seven-night cruise to Spain, Portugal, France and Guernsey, while Adonia heads off on a

12-night voyage to Spain, France, Italy, Corsica and Gibraltar.

For more information about the ships and the naming event, log on to www.pocruises.co.uk.

Oceana and Adonia Factfile:

Cruise Line: P&O Cruises

Construction: Fincantieri (Italy)

Registry: Great Britain

Length: 857 feet

Width: 105 feet

Passenger decks: Ten

Crew: 850

Passengers: Up to 2,016

Cabins: 975