Dame Helen christens cruise ship

Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren has officially named the biggest cruise liner ever built for the UK market.

The actress gave the order for Royal Marine Commandos Alistair Barton and Carl Thurgood to abseil down the side of the 116,000-ton Ventura and smash champagne bottles against her bow.

Dame Helen was cheered by the 1,500 guests at the P&O Cruises ceremony at Southampton.

She said: "It's an incredible pleasure and honour to be here. I wish the ship luck and love and calm seas on her voyages."

The Marines were called in to ensure that there was no repeat of earlier failed naming attempts of ships at Southampton when champagne bottles had not smashed - a sign of bad luck.

Both soldiers had kissed Dame Helen as she toured the 3,600-passenger ship, which leaves on its maiden voyage on Friday.

Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the Ventura is 950ft long and has 15 decks with 1,546 cabins, as well as a 3D cinema, a Marco Pierre White restaurant and a West End-style theatre.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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