P&O Cruises has taken delivery of the latest addition to its fleet, Adonia, today May 3 at 3pm.

Adonia is currently in the Bahamas undertaking a refit before coming to Southampton for her inaugural celebrations and maiden season.

At 30,000 tonnes and carrying just 710 passengers, Adonia is able to reach many lesser visited, off the beaten track, ports of call, yet is big enough to provide an extensive range of modern on board facilities. Exclusively for adults, Adonia will offer an atmosphere that is intimate and refined – and the on board excellence for which the company is renowned.

Adonia will be named by Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE in a glittering ceremony in Southampton on Saturday May 21, 2011. Dame Shirley will be joined on the stage by actor Hugh Bonneville, most recently acclaimed as the Earl of Grantham in ITV’s Downton Abbey and soon to appear in a nautical Captain’s role in ‘Dr Who’.

“Dame Shirley is Britain’s most successful female artiste ever; a national treasure who defines the word ‘superstar’, Hugh is one of Britain’s most popular actors. We are Britain’s favourite and most successful cruise line and can trace our roots back further than any other line. All in all it’s a perfect combination and one which will give Adonia the best start to her life with P&O Cruises“ said P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow.

“Adonia will be the jewel in the P&O Cruises crown and will celebrate all those things our regular passengers love about cruising with us – a classic dance floor, Crow’s Nest observation lounge, formal nights, classical music recitals, guest speakers, silver service dining and a dedicated card room. Loyal cruisers and those new to cruising alike will be charmed by the refined P&O Cruises experience Adonia will offer,” continued Carol Marlow.

Over 500 invited guests will witness the naming ceremony on Adonia’s Lido deck in Southampton Docks on Saturday, May 21, prior to the vessel’s maiden voyage the following day, a 16 night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, which includes calls to Alghero in Sardinia; Portofino in Italy; Sete in France; Port Mahon and Barcelona in Spain.