Shirl's The Girl for Adonia!

Exclusively for adults, Adonia – currently the Royal Princess of sister company Princess Cruises – is considerably smaller than any other vessels in the fleet, carrying just 710 passengers, and will be able to reach off-the-beaten-track ports of call while still offering an extensive range of facilities.

Dame Shirley, whose career has included 135 million record sales, said: “I have had the most exciting career imaginable, but to be invited to be Godmother to a cruise ship is something very special and very personal.”

P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow added: “Dame Shirley is Britain’s most successful female artiste ever, a national treasure who defines the word ‘superstar’. We are Britain’s favourite and most successful cruise line and can trace our history back longer than any other line. It’s a perfect match and I am sure on our naming day she will need no excuse to ‘Get the party started!’

“Adonia will be the jewel in the P&O crown and will celebrate all those things our regular passengers love about cruising with us – a classic dance floor, Crow’s Nest observation lounge, formal nights, classical music recitals, guest speakers, silver service dining and a dedicated card room.

“Loyal cruisers and those new to cruising alike will be charmed by the refined experience Adonia will offer. Entertainment will form a vital part of that so it is entirely fitting for Dame Shirley to give her the best possible start to life with P&O Cruises.”

More than 500 invited guests will witness the naming ceremony on Adonia’s top deck in Southampton Docks on Saturday, May 21, prior to the vessel’s maiden voyage the following day, a 16-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean.

None other than Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother arrived to conjure up Jennifer Hudson, godmother to the Dream, who sang Who Knows Where A Dream Might Lead, while the cast of dancers and characters joined her on stage. Reverend Warren Langer delivered the traditional maritime blessing, then it was time to christen the ship.

A helicopter picked up the gigantic ‘champagne bottle’, breaking it against the bow with a spray of sparks and a burst of fireworks, and we were invited to come aboard for a journey that promised to make our Disney Dreams come true…and delivered in spectacular style.

The 128,000-ton vessel will now be operating 3, 4 and 5-day cruises out of Port Canaveral year-round, with twin sister Disney Fantasy due to join the fleet in April 2012.