In a mark of respect to the medical profession that worked hard over the last 18 months dealing with the pandemic, Commodore Inga J. Kennedy CBE QHNS QARNNS, senior Royal Navy officer, former Head of the Royal Navy Medical Service, as well as Non-Executive Director of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, was named as the Godmother of Saga’s newest cruise ship - Spirit of Adventure.
Commodore Inga Kennedy follows in the footsteps of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall - Godmother to sistership Spirit of Discovery and is currently Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Medical Service.
Commodore Inga J. Kennedy will name Spirit of Adventure during a ceremony to be held in Portsmouth UK (England) on July 19, coinciding with the ‘Freedom Day’ when COVID restrictions are expected to end. In naval tradition, the Godmother will offer a blessing of safe sailing and good fortune, marked with the smashing of a bottle on the hull of the ship. The jeroboam in question is English sparkling wine from the Kent-based Balfour Hush Heath Estate.
The official ceremony will be streamed on Facebook Live.
The Commodore receives a full tour of the cruise ship and the features onboard. Like her sistership, Spirit of Discovery, the design and layout of Adventure challenge the conventions of cruise ship design. In line with Saga Cruises' boutique cruising offer, she's been designed to accommodate a maximum of 999 guests. Each passenger has the equivalent of a double-decker bus of room onboard. Every stateroom has a private balcony.
Commodore Inga Jane Kennedy has led a long and distinguished career, combining healthcare with service in the Royal Navy. She was born in Aberdeen and studied nursing at Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh with postgraduate studies in Edinburgh and London. She worked in the National Health Service between 1980-1998.
Following the naming ceremony on July 19, Spirit of Adventure is expected to undertake her inaugural voyage on July 26, visiting some of Britain’s most popular ports. She will join sistership Spirit of Discovery, which will set sail on June 27.