Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds will act as UK ambassador for the inaugural of Norwegian Breakaway in Southampton event next Monday.
She will officially open the ship’s Aqua Park and be the first in the UK to swim in the pool as part of the UK celebrations.
Simmonds will meet guests and experience the new ship before it sets sail for its home port of New York City.
She will be joined by former Olympic swimmer Chris Cook, who is representing Breakaway’s charity partner Just a Drop, championing clean, safe water in communities throughout the world.
Donations made through the partner website justadrop.org/get-involved/breakaway/ will go towards a special ‘Breakaway Water Project’, which will help bring clean water to a village in Africa.
Vice president and general manager international Francis Riley said: “We are so thrilled to have Ellie on board to launch the ship to the UK market.
“As a swimmer, her love for water makes her a natural choice to launch our Aqua Park and we are honoured that she will be first in the pool.
“She is an inspirational role model for people across all ages and we are looking forward to giving her a taste of our famous Norwegian Cruise Line hospitality.”
Simmonds said: “I am so excited to be involved with the launch of Norwegian Breakaway and support the Breakaway Water Project.
“As a swimmer, I love being around water and the way that the ship has been designed gives such a great sense of place. I can’t wait to see the ocean-facing Waterfront and five slide Aqua Park – the biggest at sea.”