Ventura Launch update

We can expect precision planning when Dame Helen Mirren launches the second of April’s three new cruise ships this week- Sophia Loren became godmother to MSC Poesia last week in Dover. Dame Helen launches P&O’s Ventura in Southampton on Wednesday and in a fortnight’s time, Sir Steve Redgrave will launch Independence of the Seas.

The Ventura launch will be spectacular and aims to ensure the bad luck that the Duchess of Cornwell may have brought to Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 doesn’t happen - a squad of Royal Marines will abseil down the side of the mega-liner on Dame Helen’s command to smash the bottle of champagne that the royal launcher signally failed to break! Then it will be onto the next super liner to hit the headlines - sports stars and celebrities will be at the launch of Independence of the Seas.

Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave, footballers Ray Clemence, Pat Jennings and Matt Le Tissier, rugby’s Gavin Hastings and Scott Hastings, and runners Steve Cram, Alison Curbishley and Allan Wells will all be present and dozens of British artists have been commissioned to produce original paintings and sculpture to be seen on the new Independence of the Seas.