The naming ceremony of the latest ship to join the Princess Cruises fleet was conducted by a group of four US television celebrities as godparents Los Angeles on Friday.
Discovery Princess, the last of six Royal class vessels to join the fleet, has been running a series of five-night sailings from the Californian port along the Pacific coast to destinations such as Cabo San Lucas on the Mexican Baja Peninsula before starting a debut summer season in Alaska from Seattle.
The 3,600-passenger vessel, almost identical to fellow newcomer Enchanted Princess operating for the first time from Southampton this summer, saw a break with tradition with its naming.
The godparents were US fashion designer Randy Fenoli, chef Alex Guarnaschelli, special effects designer Adam Savage and real estate entrepreneur Page Turner.
Discovery Princess is the latest in the 15-strong fleet to be equipped with revolutionary Medallion Class technology, allowing passengers to gain access to their cabins, make on board orders for drinks and dining via a coin-sized device linked to an app instead of a traditional cruise card.
The company plans to add a new class of ship in 2023. The Sphere class next generation vessels will be powered by liquified natural gas, with the first due to enter service in late 2023 followed by a sister ship in 2025, each at 175,000 gross tons and capable of carrying 4,300 passengers.
Many Covid protocols on board Discovery Princess have been relaxed but the line still recommends passengers wear face masks in indoor public areas despite all holidaymakers having to prove they are fully vaccinated before boarding.
Princess Cruises president John Padgett said: “Our impressive godparents, who represent the best in food, style wonder and exploration, bring their imaginative and inspirational talents together to celebrate this momentous occasion. We look forward to exploring what we can all do together in the future.”