Last week, former-Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger officially named P&O Cruises newest ship Arvia in a beachside ceremony held in Barbados. Onlookers participated in a simultaneous beachside and ship-based ceremony.

‘I am so proud and honoured to name my ship – I mean, this ship – Arvia’ joked Scherzinger before the customary bottle smash.

Ships are traditionally named by smashing a bottle of champagne, but for the first time, a bottle of rum was used, symbolic of the ceremony location in Barbados, the home of rum. Scherzinger released the world's largest bottle of rum, a 15 litre bottle of Mount Gay Rum, which smashed onto the hull, officially naming the vessel.

Chart-topper Olly Murs performed at the event, which was held both in Arvia's SkyDome and from Heywood's Beach on the island.

The ship will be based in Barbados until April before sailing back to the UK, where it will offer Mediterranean cruises for summer 2023.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: "We always aim to do things differently. Arvia will spend her first season sailing in the Caribbean so it is fitting that we mark her naming in one of our favourite ports of call. Barbados is, indeed, a very special place and one which is very close to our hearts".

P&O Cruises has operated a vessel in the region during the winter season for decades.

Watch the full ceremony on YouTube:

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Barbados is known as the home of rum, and Mount Gay is the world’s oldest running rum distillery established in 1703.  Read more about Mount Gay Rum in our Business Barbados Spotlight.