For Adrian Jesner, this week involved a bit of a break from the usual rabbinical routine.

The minister of the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation was in Southampton at the invitation of cruise line Royal Caribbean to bless its new, billion-dollar ship, Anthem of the Seas.

Dressed in tallit and robes, Rabbi Jesner intoned in Hebrew and English: "Bring them all to safe port… watch over them and protect them from danger… may the blessing be upon the ship".

The blessing, which was also given by a Christian minister, was part of a glitzy on-board ceremony that featured fireworks, bagpipers and a song and dance act.

"It was a very interesting experience, something I have not been involved in before. Royal Caribbean Cruise company like to have a rabbi bless every single boat in the fleet. It has got to say something about where they are coming from."