Why Do Cruise Ships Have Godmothers?
- Julia
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
The maritime tradition of christening a new ship dates back thousands of years. But it was not until the mid-19th century that the French and British navies began the tradition of inviting women to perform the christening ceremony. Today, it is a well-established custom for cruise ships to have godmothers. But why?
A GODMOTHER'S ROLE
A cruise ship's godmother is a female dignitary who is invited to take part in the vessel’s naming ceremony. During the ceremony, the godmother officially names the ship and offers a blessing of good fortune and safe passage for the vessel, its crew, and its passengers. She then breaks a bottle of champagne against the hull, which officially completes the naming.
Princess Kate, Godmother of Royal Princess (left) | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Lionel Messi, Godfather of Icon of the Seas (right) | Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean
NOTABLE GODMOTHERS
Over the years, many famous women have served as godmothers to cruise ships. Some notable godmothers include:
Queen Elizabeth II christened the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and the Queen Mary 2 in 2004.
Sophia Loren has been the godmother to more MSC Cruises ships than any other woman, with 16 ships to her name.
Mariah Carey christened the Disney Fantasy in 2012.
Catherine, Princess of Wales back in 2013, Kate christened the Royal Princess.
The tradition of cruise ship godmothers continues to this day, as it adds a touch of glamour and tradition to the ship's launch and is a special way to wish the vessel and all who sail on her a safe and prosperous journey. In more recent history, the role of the "godmother" has become the "godparent", as both men and women can be named as a godparent of a ship.
Booking Your Cruise
Now that you are ready to book your cruise, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the ships inside-and-out, and have an amazing relationship with many cruise lines in the industry. Our advisors will craft the cruise vacation of a lifetime for you, your friends, family, or group at an exceptional rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.
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