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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