From Oprah to Queen Elizabeth: Why cruise ship godmothers exist and who will get to be one

What do the Queen of England, Sophia Loren, Dora the Explorer and the rapper Pitbull have in widespread? They’re all ship godmothers and godfathers in a convention that has advanced from historical seafaring days.

In Viking instances, ceremonies for brand spanking new ships are mentioned to have concerned human sacrifices to appease the gods and defend the ship and its crew. The Babylonians supplied ox blood. In historical Greece, they’d put olive wreaths on their heads, drink wine and bless the brand new ship with water.

These days, we often sacrifice a bottle of alcohol by smashing it on the bow after which elevating a glass to have fun. Although some ships have had their bows doused with brandy, Champagne and wine are the preferred selections. (During Prohibition, christenings within the United States had been typically performed with water, juice and apple cider.)

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When it comes to picking a godmother, historically the provide could be prolonged to feminine royalty. However, in recent times, cruise traces have gotten artistic. The proper godmother will get folks speaking and result in a complete lot of free publicity, which is why we’ve seen celebrities, politicians, athletes and even cartoon characters getting into the function.

Some be a part of their godship’s inaugural cruise, however others solely keep for the Champagne smashing and flashing cameras. Once the ceremony is over, most don’t have an ongoing function on their ship, although some discover methods to maintain working along with the cruise line.

What form of individual makes the reduce to christen a ship? Let’s have a look.

Simone Biles

In 2021, Simone Biles, a 19-time world champion gymnast and seven-time Olympic medalist, turned godmother for Celebrity Cruises‘ Celebrity Beyond. The line has typically chosen transformational and brave godmothers who’re breaking obstacles and championing change of their respective fields. Biles joins fellow Celebrity godmothers Reshma Saujani, founding father of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai.

Keeping with its non-traditional manner of doing cruises, Virgin Voyages did away with the “godmother” moniker, naming actor and singer Jennifer Lopez the “Chief Entertainment and Lifestyle Officer” for the road’s Valiant Lady. Lopez is not simply the face of the vessel. She’s partnered with the road, creating wellness packages and wonder merchandise which can be obtainable throughout the Virgin Voyages fleet.

Related: First look: 10 issues I like about Virgin Voyages’ new Valiant Lady cruise ship

Katy Perry

One of the newest in an extended line of well-known and attention-grabbing godmothers, singer Katy Perry christened Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima in Iceland in 2022 and adopted it up with a reside efficiency and a brief crusing on the vessel.

Queen Elizabeth II

The ship that shares the late British queen’s identify, Queen Elizabeth 2, or QE2, could now be a floating lodge in Dubai, however the queen was additionally the godmother of three ships which can be nonetheless crusing the seas.

The queen christened two Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2 in 2004 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010, and was additionally godmother to P&O Cruises’ Britannia. Other royal members of the family who turned ship godmothers embody the late Diana, Princess of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales (previously often called the Duchess of Cambridge).

As godmother to the biggest variety of vessels, Sophia Loren has christened almost two dozen ships within the MSC Cruises fleet. Before changing into MSC’s godmother of alternative, beginning with MSC Lirica in 2003, Loren additionally turned godmother of Princess Cruises’ unique Crown Princess again in 1990.

The British Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren turned the godmother of the world’s first discovery yacht, Scenic Eclipse. The founder and chairman of Scenic, Glen Moroney, mentioned Mirren’s “style, beauty and spirit of adventure” had been the proper match for Scenic Eclipse. It wasn’t her first time smashing Champagne on a ship. Mirren additionally turned godmother to P&O Cruises’ Ventura in 2008.

Oprah Winfrey

To have fun changing into godmother to Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, Oprah set sail on a cruise along with her buddy Gayle King and a couple of,666 Oprah journal readers. Oprah additionally labored with HAL to supply life-style packages, together with morning meditation and intention setting, throughout 16 ships.

Champagne bottles are constructed robust to resist excessive stress. Unfortunately, Dame Judi Dench discovered simply how laborious they are often when she christened Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend in 2001. After three makes an attempt, the bottle lastly smashed and soaked her within the course of, resulting in “Dame Judi Drench” headlines alongside pictures of her coated in Champagne.

The movie star life-style knowledgeable’s appointment as godmother was a controversial alternative in 2006, coming simply two years after she had been sentenced to 5 months in jail on felony costs. Stewart did the honors for Princess Cruises and christened the road’s new Crown Princess ship that yr. Stewart at the moment works with MSC Cruises creating unique onboard and onshore culinary experiences.

Malala Yousafzai

The youngest Nobel Prize laureate, Yousafzai continues her struggle to present each lady the fitting to secure, free schooling by the Malala Fund. When she christened Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge with glowing water fairly than Champagne, she additionally marked a two-year partnership between the cruise line and her charity.

Steamboats have godmothers, too, and the largest and most luxurious one on the Mississippi has Priscilla Presley. American Queen seems like an old-school showboat on the skin however options trendy comforts on the within. When it stops in Memphis, company obtain an invite to the godmother’s home, Graceland.

Dora the Explorer

When P&O Cruises referred to as on Dora the Explorer to function godmother to Pacific Explorer, the Nickelodeon character was joined by SpongeBob SquarePants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the christening celebration. Other animated godmothers embody Shrek’s Princess Fiona, who’s the godmother to Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, and Tinkerbell, who’s the fairy godmother to Disney Cruise Line‘s Disney Wonder.

When Norwegian Cruise Line named Pitbull the godfather of Norwegian Escape in 2015, it took lots of people without warning. It seems he’s the godfather who retains on giving. Pitbull’s songs have been featured in Norwegian’s advertisements, he’s entertained company at a CruiseWorld occasion and the video clip for his tune “Freedom” is just about an advert for the cruise line.

Since Pitbull was named godfather, different males have additionally crammed the function for NCL, together with New York City radio character Elvis Duran, who christened Norwegian Bliss in 2018.