Largest cruise ship to be named

 

Independence of the Seas can carry 4,375 passengers

One of the world's largest cruise ships is being officially named.

The 160,000-tonne Independence of the Seas, which will sail to and from Southampton all summer, will be named in the city at 1630 BST.

Built in Finland, the £400m ship equals the size of owner Royal Caribbean's two other ships, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.

Five times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steven Redgrave has been invited to perform the naming ceremony.

It will set sail on its maiden voyage on 2 May for a two-week cruise of the Mediterranean.

Last week, Cunard's three Queens - QE2, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria - met in Southampton for the first and last time.

QE2 will retire in November when it will be converted into a hotel in Dubai.

Source: BBC