The Duchess of Cornwall will act as godmother to new Saga Cruises’ ship Spirit of Discovery.
The naming ceremony will take place in Dover on July 5 – the first cruise ship to be named at the port for more than a decade.
The Duchess and Saga share a common link in their support for The Silver Line, a charity founded by TV presenter Dame Esther Rantzen following the death of her husband.
She is the patron of the charity and The Silver Line is Saga’s first national charity partner.
Saga Group chief executive Lance Batchelor said: “I am delighted that The Duchess of Cornwall has agreed to be godmother of the Spirit of Discovery.
“The launch of our new ship is a key moment in both the history and future of Saga.
“Carrying fewer than 1,000 passengers, she is a boutique ship that offers our customers and members the highest standards of accommodation, furnishings, cuisine and entertainment.”
Sophie Andrews, chief executive of The Silver Line, added: “Our team is absolutely delighted to see this coming together of our patron and our charity partner, Saga.
“The Silver Line helpline receives more than 10,500 calls every week from vulnerable and isolated older people, many of whom have nowhere else to turn which demonstrates the depth of loneliness felt by huge numbers of the UK’s older population.”