Natasha Bedingfield Announced as Featured Singer for Royal Princess Naming Ceremony

Award-winning British Singer-Songwriter to Perform During Next Month's Launch of Princess Cruises' Newest Ship

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., May 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Adding yet another special touch to the naming ceremony launching Royal Princess, British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield will perform at the June 13 naming ceremony of the new ship in Southampton, Princess Cruises has announced.

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The globally acclaimed artist will make a special appearance at the celebration, where Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will officially name the ship.

Ever since her Brit Award and Grammy-nominated multi-platinum solo debut album "Unwritten" in 2004, the British-born Bedingfield has been one of the world's most inspiring and innovative contemporary female singer-songwriters at the top of the charts. With three albums under her belt, she is known for her powerfully soulful voice and heartfelt and contagious pop anthems.

Bedingfield's radio hits include songs such as "Unwritten," "Pocket Full of Sunshine," "Love Like This" and "These Words," and her music can also be heard in numerous movies and television shows.

"We're excited to have Natasha Bedingfield lend her voice to this special occasion," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Her music will add a wonderful contemporary touch to the time-honored elements of the traditional naming ceremony."

In addition to Bedingfield's performance, the Royal Princess inaugural ceremony will feature many British ship-naming traditions, including a blessing of the vessel, and a performance by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) and the pipers of the Irish Guards. The pinnacle of the ceremony will be when the ship's godmother, The Duchess of Cambridge, breaks the champagne bottle on the bow of the ship.

The ceremony will be the highlight of week-long inaugural celebrations to welcome the vessel into service. Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday, June 7 and will depart on her maiden voyage on June 16. After her maiden voyage to Barcelona, the ship will sail Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn. Passengers still have the opportunity to book a cruise during the ship's maiden season as limited space remains available.

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. More information and video previews of the ship are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

SOURCE: Princess Cruises

Karen Candy, [email protected], [phone]

http://www.princess.com

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PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]