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ATTENDING a cruiseship naming in Southampton starts for many at Waterloo station, writes Sue Parker.
Although there may not be such a resplendent panoply of hats on view, it is still good fun trying to spot fellow guests decked out as if for Ascot.
Like so many others before us, we gather and wait beneath the clock — except for those intent on a caffeine fix, who head for the nearest coffee bar.
It being December, the probability is that we are mostly bound for the Queen Victoria’s big day.
Not one for hats, I have made an exception to the norm and donned a dress, and my legs are feeling the cold. Still, the train is warm and there is a chance to read the papers before catching the courtesy bus to the terminal.
Leaving our luggage to be deposited in our cabins, we gather in the terminal for champagne and canapés.
There is a Christmas theme to the food and a choir singing carols to entertain us until we file into the stands for the naming, which is to be performed by Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall.
Cruiseship christenings are lavish events and this was no exception. With a sprinkling of stars to mark the occasion, the scene was set for the perfect naming — not even a recalcitrant champagne bottle that refused to smash on demand could mar the moment — though the spectre of Princess Anne and P&O Cruises did loom up from the past.
Then it is all aboard to witness builder Fincantieri’s handywork and catch up with folk in the industry.
It is a black tie event so the posh frocks are on full display and the Queen Victoria and its crew are gracious and generous hosts.
This queen is a pretty ship and rather understated compared with some of its more colourful colleagues. The praise is almost universal as we explore. There is plenty of walking to do on a 90,000 gt vessel, and it is always worth taking the stairs to try to diminish the effects of a gala dinner.
It is easy to get used to — even blasé about — slick events in this industry, but I know from experience just how difficult such things can be to get right.
I remember being involved in a Festival Cruises’ christening when they were growing like topsy and they had not quite taken onboard just how much work it needed. I found myself sitting in an office in the shipyard, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, along with the wives of the directors, madly stuffing envelopes for hours.
Once on board, the crew, who had had very little prior training or familiarisation with the ship, struggled valiantly to serve the increasingly disgruntled guests with dinner.
Nowadays, only the rash would organise such an event with a high percentage of inexperienced crew onboard ship — though for the smaller lines it is not always possible to get it right.
Equally, for the first in a series or for one-offs, there is more chance of a rushed delivery, with work still in progress even as the guests arrive.
But undoubtedly, it is the crew who are the true stars of these events, as they work tirelessly to prepare the ship prior to our arrival, are on hand for our every need and prepare and serve thousands of us on a daily basis.
And almost always with a smile.
Susan Parker is editor of Lloyd’s Cruise International, www.lloydscruise.com
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