Barbara Kendall to Officially Name Pacific Pearl Tomorrow Night

P&O Cruises' Pacific Pearl superliner will be officially named by godmother, triple Olympic medallist Barbara Kendall, in a spectacular ceremony tomorrow evening at Auckland's Queens Wharf.

The largest ship ever based in New Zealand, Pacific Pearl, will be named by Barbara with the traditional smashing of a magnum of New Zealand bubbles in front of 600 guests on board, followed by a fireworks extravaganza over the harbour.

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The public can join in the celebrations at the Pacific Island Family Christmas Festival at Queens Wharf where the naming ceremony will be projected onto the side of the ship.

The free family festival is expected to attract thousands of people for an 'up close' look at the superliner and the chance to sample some of its exceptional hospitality, with food stalls on Queens Wharf serving cuisine from the Pacific Pearl's restaurants and cafes, including Luke Mangan's Salt Grill.

The festival – which will run from 5-9.30pm - will include performances by singers Dane Rumble and Stan Walker, while families can enjoy all the fun of a ferris wheel along with face painting and circus and street performers.

During the event, a cruise prize will be raffled, with proceeds going to Variety – The Children’s Charity in its appeal to help the children of the men tragically lost in the Pike River Mine disaster. A second cruise will be auctioned on board the ship at the VIP function, with the proceeds also going to the same charity.

And in recognition of Barbara's role as godmother, P&O Cruises has made a substantial donation to her preferred charity, Upside Downs Education Trust.

The fourth ship for P&O Cruises’ fleet, the 63,500-tonne Pacific Pearl will carry 1800 passengers. Its many features include a giant poolside entertainment screen, a Salt Grill by Luke Mangan restaurant, multiple bars and lounges including a swim-up bar, and an aerial acrobatics rig spanning the width of its pool deck.

The first superliner to be home ported in New Zealand, Pacific Pearl departs on her 8-night maiden voyage to New Caledonia on December 22.

An eight-night cruise onboard Pacific Pearl departing Auckland January 18, 2012 visiting New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, starts from just $999 per person quad share.
*subject to availability, conditions apply

For more information and bookings contact a travel agent or P&O Cruises on 0800 780 716 or visit www.pocruises.co.nz

ENDS

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