Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

I am proud to be certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as an Elite Cruise Counselor. The Cruise Counselor Certification Program is CLIA's most comprehensive training which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences, and conduct ship inspections. Anita Thompson, Attheta Travel, dba Cruise Holidays.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Cruise Ship Godmothers Bring on the Glamour

Since ancient times, ships have been ceremoniously blessed before their first voyages in the hopes that the gods, and the seas, would treat them kindly. Long ago, ships were blessed with a splash of water, wine – or human blood. As time went on, the ship-christening liquid of choice became champagne, and the honor of breaking a bottle over the ship’s hull was given to female members of royal families.

More recently, ship christenings have become major red-carpet events, and the bottle-breaking honors belong to “godmothers” who lend their star status, prestige and glamour to the launch of a new ship.

 Female royalty still rank among the most elegant godmothers. Queen Elizabeth has christened two ships for Cunard Line; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will be the godmother of Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess when it launches on June 13.

 Some godmothers bring Hollywood style to cruising, including actresses Julie Andrews (Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity); Sophia Loren (a total of nine MSC Cruises ships); Sharon Stone (AmaWaterways’ new AmaVida); and Jennifer Hudson (Disney Cruise Line’s Dream). Hudson was actually a musical performer on the Disney Wonder for six months, just before her breakthrough on the television show “American Idol.” Another popular singer, Mariah Carey, is a Disney godmother (Fantasy).

Country music star Reba McEntire is godmother, too (Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic), and a long-time cruise fan. For its next ship, the Breakaway – set to sail from its home port of New York City this summer – NCL named a whole line-up of godmothers: the world-famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.

 Some godmothers are selected for the inspirational quality of their lives and work. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas is godmothered by Katherine Louise Calder, who has fostered more than 400 children with special needs.

After the christening of a ship, godmothers usually don’t have many official duties – still, you never know when you might see one of these glamorous and accomplished ladies checking up on her “godchild.” For more information about upcoming ships and their godmothers, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.

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