Star-studded MSC Bellissima cruise ship naming ceremony hosted by Holly Willoughby evacuated as strong winds rock quayside marquee

Holly Willoughy hosts the naming ceremony for the MSC Bellissima
Getty Images for MSC Bellissima
Hatty Collier3 March 2019

A star-studded naming ceremony for the largest cruise ship to be christened in the UK had to be evacuated as ferocious winds rocked the quayside marquee.

The lavish event for the MSC Bellissima was being held in a giant marquee next to the liner at Southampton when the decision was made to move the event on board.

This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby was hosting the ceremony and screen legend Sophia Loren was performing the ribbon-cutting duties.

Guests were able to enjoy a performance by tenors Andrea and Matteo Bocelli and a show by Cirque du Soleil at Sea before the decision was made to move the event.

An empty marquee as organisers evacuated guests from the naming ceremony of the MSC Bellissima due to heavy winds
PA

Also due to perform were R&B singer Craig David, disco star Nile Rodgers and soul singer Leee John.

Once everyone was on board the ship, the rest of the night went off without a hitch.

Willoughby had earlier shared a video on her Instagram account as she walked down glitzy steps on board the cruise ship.

The Bellissima is the 14th ship to be named by Italian singer and actress Loren, 84, for MSC Cruises, for who she fulfils the role of "godmother".

The cruise ship, the sixth largest in the world, was built at a cost of 1 billion US dollars (£752 million) in Saint Nazaire, France.

It has 2,217 cabins with a capacity of 5,686 guests, 19 decks, 12 restaurants and a 985-seat theatre on board.

Sophia Loren at the naming ceremony of the MSC Bellissima, the largest cruise ship to be christened in the UK
PA

The Bellissima, operated by MSC Cruises, also features a 96-metre promenade with an 80-metre LED dome which shows atmospheric vistas, sunsets and starry night skies.

Antonio Paradiso, managing director for MSC Cruises UK and Ireland, said: "We are excited to be launching MSC Bellissima, the largest ship coming to the UK and the sixth largest cruise ship in the world.

"We celebrate her launch in Southampton, an important destination for us as we are the fastest growing cruise line in the UK and a top cruise line in Ireland.

The MSC Bellissima, the largest cruise ship to be christened in the UK, arrives into berth 101 at City Cruise Terminal in Southampton for it's naming ceremony
PA

"This is the largest ship event held by MSC Cruises in the UK, with 6,000 people on board over three days, including 2,300 seated at the naming ceremony on the quayside."

The MSC Bellissima has been fitted with features to reduce its environmental footprint including an exhaust gas cleaning system to improve emissions, an advanced wastewater treatment system, and LED lighting to save energy.

The liner will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean before moving to the Emirates next winter and Asia in 2020.

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