Royal Caribbean International announced Princess Fiona as the godmother of Allure of the Seas during the naming ceremony of the cruise line’s
newest and world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship. Picture above from left to right are: Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal
Caribbean International; Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Princess Fiona; and Captain Hernan Zini, master of
Allure of the Seas.
THE ENTERTAINMENT SHIP
road, as well, in a sense. In his blog, Fain
a simple one page document saying it
Attended by approximately 3,500 guests,
reminisced over the delivery ceremony
was complete didn’t seem momentous
the naming ceremony took place in Al-
back in Turku, Finland, a month earlier.
enough.”
lure’s main Amber Theater and was broad-
There were only two documents waiting
On the other hand, signing a one
casted live throughout the ship, as well as
to be signed at STX Finland offices: one
page sheet of paper transferring a billion
via streaming video on the internet. The
signifying the formal transfer of ownership
dollars felt like an awesome responsibility.
ceremony included a range of entertain-
and another providing instruction to the
“I have to admit that my hand hesi-
ment, complete with the customary bag-
bank for the transfer of the final payment .
tated a bit before actually signing that pa-
pipe-and-drums procession. Nevertheless,
Looking back, Fain admitted that
the definite highlight of the show was the
the closing created conflicting emotions
breaking of the Champagne bottle on the
for him.
per,” Fain confesses.
MORE THAN PICTURE PERFECT
ship’s hull, electronically activated by one
“On the one hand, it was anti-cli-
After the required ink was committed to
swift karate-chop by Princess Fiona herself.
mactic. After millions of man hours, years
paper, it was time for a little party. A host
The shattering of the bottle remarked
of effort, endless argumentation and con-
of VIP visitors climbed onboard Allure for
a new beginning – and the end of a long
sideration, and tons of sweat and tears,
some celebrations and flag changing cer-
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