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

What do the Queen of England, Sophia Loren, Dora the Explorer and rapper Pitbull have in common? They are all godfathers and godfathers of ships in a tradition that has evolved since the ancient seafaring days.

In Viking times, new ship rituals were thought to involve human sacrifices to appease the gods and protect the ship and its crew. The Babylonians provided cow blood. In ancient Greece, they wore olive garlands on their heads, drank wine and poured water to bless the new ship.

Today, we often sacrifice a bottle of wine by banging it against the bow and then raising the glass to celebrate. Although some ships offer spirits, Champagne and wine are the most popular choices. (During Prohibition, baptisms in the United States were usually performed with water, juice, and cider.)

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When it comes to choosing a godmother, the offer is traditionally extended to the queen. However, in recent years, cruise lines have seen many innovations. The right sponsor will get people talking and lead to a lot of free publicity that’s why we’ve seen celebrities, politicians, athletes and even public figures. cartoon to participate in this role.

Some join their god’s first voyage, but others stay only to pound Champagne and flash cameras. After the ceremony was over, most had no continuing role on their ship, although some sought to continue working alongside the cruise.

What kind of person makes a cut to christen a ship? Let’s take a look.

Simone Biles

In 2021, Simone Biles, 19-time world champion gymnast and seven-time Olympic medalist, becomes godmother to Cruises for Celebrities‘Celebrity Beyond. The Order often chooses transformative and courageous patrons who are breaking barriers and driving change in their respective fields. Biles joins celebrity patrons Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Marshall Plan for Moms, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai.

Keeping its non-traditional way of doing travel, Virgin Voyages dropped the “godmother” moniker, naming actress and singer Jennifer Lopez as the “Entertainment and Lifestyle Director” for the line’s Valiant Lady. Lopez is not just the face of the vessel. She has partnered with the line, creating wellness programs and beauty products available across the Virgin Voyages team.

Related: First look: 10 things I love about Virgin Voyages’ new Valiant Lady cruise ship

Katy Perry

One of the latest in a long line of famous and attention-grabbing singers and patrons Katy Perry names Norwegian Prima’s Norwegian Cruise Line in Iceland in 2022 and followed by a live performance and a short cruise on board.

Queen Elizabeth II

The ship named after the late Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth 2, or QE2, may now be a floating hotel in Dubai, but the queen is also the godmother of three ships that are still at sea.

Queen baptize two Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2 in 2004 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010, and is also the godmother to Britannia of P&O Cruises. Other royal members who have become patrons of the ship include the late Diana, Princess of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales (formerly known as the Duchess of Cambridge).

As the godmother of the largest number of ships, Sophia Loren christened nearly two dozen ships in MSC Cruises fleet. Before becoming the godmother of MSC, starting with MSC Lirica in 2003, Loren also became the godmother of Princess Cruises’ original Crown Princess in 1990.

British Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren has become the godmother of the world’s first discovery yacht, Landscape eclipse. Scenic founder and president, Glen Moroney, said Mirren’s “style, beauty and adventurous spirit” was the perfect fit for the Scenic Eclipse. This isn’t the first time she’s smashed Champagne on board. Mirren also became godmother to P&O Cruises’ Ventura in 2008.

Oprah Winfrey

To celebrate becoming a godmother for Holland America LineNieuw Statendam, Oprah set sail on a yacht with friend Gayle King and 2,666 readers of Oprah magazine. Oprah also works with HAL to deliver lifestyle programs, including morning meditation and intention-setting, on 16 ships.

Champagne bottles are built tough to withstand high pressure. Unfortunately, Dame Judi Dench discovered how difficult they can be when she christened Carnival Cruise Lineby Carnival Legend in 2001. After three attempts, the bottle was eventually smashed and soaked her in the process, leading to the title “Dame Judi Drench” along with pictures of her covered in Champagne.

Appointing a celebrity lifestyle expert as godmother was a controversial choice in 2006, coming just two years after she was sentenced to five months in prison for the crimes. Stewart was honored for Princess Cruises and named its new ship Crown Princess that year. Stewart is currently working with MSC Cruises to create exclusive dining experiences on board and ashore.

Malala Yousafzai

The youngest Nobel laureate, Yousafzai continues her fight to give every girl the right to a free, safe education through the Malala Foundation. When she named Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge with fizzy water instead of Champagne, she also marked a two-year partnership between the cruise line and her charity.

Steamboats also have patrons, and the largest and most luxurious boat in Mississippi has Priscilla Presley. American Queen It looks like an old-fashioned show boat from the outside, but inside there are modern amenities. When it stops in Memphis, guests receive an invitation to the home of their godmother, Graceland.

Dora the Explorer

When P&O Cruises called Dora the Explorer to be the godmother of Pacific Explorer, the Nickelodeon character joined SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at the christening. Other cartoon godmothers include Princess Fiona of Shrek, who is the godmother of Royal Caribbeanof Allure of the Seas, and Tinkerbell, who is the fairy godmother Disney Cruise Lineby Disney Wonders.

When Norwegian Cruise Line Pitbull was named the godfather of Norwegian Escape in 2015, surprising many people. Turns out he’s the relentlessly devoted godfather. Pitbull songs have been featured in Norwegian commercials, he entertained guests at a CruiseWorld event, and the video clip for his song “Freedom” is almost an advertisement for the route. yacht.

Since Pitbull was named godfather, other men have also taken on the role for the NCL, including New York City radio personality Elvis Duran, who named Norwegian Bliss in 2018.