Oceania Cruises has named chef, author, and TV personality Giada De Laurentiis as godmother of its newest ship Vista, which is set to debut this May.
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, pianist, and actor Harry Connick Jr. will also be at the christening ceremony for the ship, which is set to take place on May 8th in Valletta, Malta. He will perform an exclusive concert for guests at the christening during Vista‘s seven-night roundtrip voyage from Civitavecchia, Italy.
During the ceremony, De Laurentiis will officiate the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship’s bow to bestow good luck over the vessel and to all who sail aboard her.
As godmother, De Laurentiis will create two signature dishes that will be served aboard Vista. Guests will be able to enjoy the dishes in Toscana, Oceania’s Italian specialty restaurant, as well as in the The Grand Dining Room.
“Working with Frank and the Oceania Cruises team on the christening of Vista and having the honor of officiating as godmother is a dream come true, especially as she sets sail on her christening voyage from my birthplace of Rome,” said De Laurentiis. “Cooking authentic Italian fare is my biggest passion in life. I cannot wait to savor the different flavors and explore the myriad dining venues on board Vista, a ship that will provide unforgettable culinary experiences for decades to come.”
The 1,200-guest Vista is Oceania’s first new ship in over ten years, and her inaugural summer Mediterranean season is already sold out. In September, the ship will sail to Canada and New England before heading south for a series of winter itineraries to the Caribbean and Bermuda.
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Sarah Bretz
Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. She’s been on 10 cruises and counting, and her favorite onboard activities include trying out the water slides, spending time in the spa’s thermal suite, eating lots of food, and attending the love & marriage show. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB.
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