Cruise Buzz: Royal Princess Float Out

Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Royal Princess celebrates significant construction milestone and marks the day with a celebration at the float out.

The last 10 months have been busy for the folks at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy who got to celebrate the “float out” of Royal Princess.  In attendance at the ceremony were Princess President and CEO Alan Buckelew, Royal Princess Captain Tony Draper, long-time Princess master Captain Nick Nash and his daughter, Victoria, who served as the ship’s “madrina” (or “godmother”).

 Meet the Madrina – Godmother of Royal Princess

Victoria Nash, daughter of long-time Princess master Captain Nick Nash, was named as madrina (godmother) to Royal Princess

Following the Italian shipyard’s tradition, the float out of a ship is celebrated when the madrina cuts the cord that begins the flow of water into the ship’s dock. Victoria Nash was chosen to serve as madrina because she has a special connection to the first Royal Princess — as a baby, she was christened aboard the ship.

“The original Royal Princess left our fleet some time ago, but we wanted to bring the spirit of that much-loved ship, also a prototype design, to the new Royal Princess,” said Buckelew during the ceremony. “And who better to do that than Victoria, who has grown up into a beautiful young lady who will now have a special connection with both vessels.”

As is tradition, the ship’s bell was used as her christening bowl during that ceremony in 1996, and Victoria’s name was subsequently engraved inside the bell to commemorate the occasion. Thanks to the Nash family, this same bell will be aboard the new Royal Princess.

“Captain Nash was presented with the ship’s bell from our original Royal Princess following its decommissioning, and we are delighted that he has very generously offered this bell to be placed aboard our new Royal Princess, in honor of his daughter,” said Buckelew. “Thank you Nick, for this wonderful gift.”

Royal Princess’ New Features

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess, is a new-generation ship featuring:

• Balconies on all outside staterooms
• Chef’s Table Lumiere
• Expanded atrium
• Over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel
• Pastry shop
• Poolside cabanas
• Princess Live! television studio

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