Welsh singing legend Dame Shirley Bassey is to name P&O Cruises’ new small ship Adonia.
Famous for the theme songs to James Bond films such as Diamonds Are Forever and Goldfinger, Dame Shirley will act as godmother of the 710-passenger vessel at a naming ceremony in Southampton on May 21.
The adult-only ship is transferring to the British cruise line from sister company Princess Cruises where it has been operating as Royal Princess.
Adonia is seen as a replacement for older mid-size ship Artemis which has been sold by P&O Cruises and is the first in the fleet to run Mediterranean fly-cruises in winter 2011-12.
Dame Shirley said: “I have had the most exciting career imaginable, but to be invited to be Godmother to a cruise ship is something very special and very personal.”
P&O Cruises’ managing director Carol Marlow said: “Dame Shirley is Britain’s most successful female artiste ever, a national treasure who defines the word ‘superstar’.”