Southampton -based Princess Cruises’ newest ship Royal Princess has been “floated out” in traditional ceremony from her dry dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

Princess president and CEO Alan Buckelew and Royal Princess captain Tony Draper, pictured, attended the event along with long-time Princess master Captain Nick Nash and his daughter Victoria, who was chosen as the ship’s godmother as she was christened as a baby aboard the first Royal Princess.

Mr Buckelew said: “The original Royal Princess left our fleet some time ago, but we wanted to bring the spirit of that muchloved ship, also a prototype design, to the new Royal Princess.

“And who better to do that than Victoria, who has grown up into a beautiful young lady who will now have a special connection with both vessels.”

The 141,000-ton ship, which will be able to carry up to 3,600 passengers, has moved to the outfitting dock where final construction and interior outfitting will take place.

Royal Princess is the first in the next generation of 21st century superships boasting onboard facilities never before seen on a cruise ship.

She will be officially named in a spectacular ceremony on Southampton’s waterfront in June 2013. A sister ship to Royal Princess will be launched the following spring.