Cruise Ship Godmothers

Cruise Ship godmothers are entrusted with theto smash a bottle of champagne against the Carnival
guidance of the ship to and around their destinations,Cruise Lines’ Carnival Legend. In her last attempt,
by blessing the ship, for the safety of its crew andshe soaked herself, earning the nickname Dame Judi
passengers throughout their journey. For the pastDrench.
4,000 years, the tradition of christening or naming aOne controversial choice of cruise ship godmothers
ship has taken place. Royalty, well known celebritieswas Holland Americas Zaandam in 2000. American
and even a Disney character have been honoured aschild star twins Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were
godmothers of ships.given the honour, they were in fact too young to cruise
Traditionally champagne or sparkling wine is brokenalone and also, unable to drink the champagne as they
against the ship’s hull; this was however, notwere under 21 years of age. This was an attempt to
always the case with Viking boats being marked withappeal to the younger people, to introduce cruise to a
human sacrifices.new generation.
In France in the 20th century, ships were subject toThe most recent addition to the fraternity of Cruise
ceremonies similar to those in marriage and baptisms.Ship godmothers is Mylene Klass, the ex Hear Say
Priests blessed the ships, whilst men were given themember and television presenter, will be attending the
title ‘godfather’, they would hand the godmothernaming ceremony of the new superliner Carnival
flowers,  then they would together say the shipsSplendor on July 10th, at Dover Cruise Port. Instead of
name in order to bless it.the traditional champagne, English Sparkling Wine will
 be used.
With the phenomenon of the celebrity status, it is nowLouise Calder who was selected for Godmother of
that we see naming ceremonies turned into glitzyRoyal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas was
events with red carpet and media attention, the cruiseunique in that she was "voted" into the position of
lines can use the opportunity to promote the cruise andgodmother in a nationwide contest sponsored by
the ship, whilst keeping the public interested with well"Today" and Royal Caribbean; she and two other
known faces which we are all familiar with.finalists were selected from a pool of over 6,000
Possibly the most well known godmother, Queennominees. Calder has provided foster care for over
Elizabeth II christened Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, on a400 children over the last 27 years.
cold, rainy day in January 2004. Queen Elizabeth tookThe tradition of the Cruise Ship Godmother is an
to the stage wearing a fuchsia coat and purple hatimportant role and one that we have seen has much
with fuchsia rim. After making a speech, she broke thehistorical value, blessing the ship for its voyages ahead,
champagne, which was followed by a firework displaythe Godmother is entrusted and honoured to be a part
and the bagpipes playing.of this. The people who bless these ships have
Oscar winner and well known actress Helen Mirren,changed reflecting the cultural shift in society.
was named godmother of P&O’s newest additionIn December 2009, Royal Caribbean is introducing the
to the fleet Ventura in April 2008, however, instead ofnew addition to their fleet, the world’s largest and
the usual champagne breaking by the press of amost revolutionary ship Oasis of the Seas. Who will
button, she was joined by a team of Royal Marinethe godmother be? If I had the chance to pick the
Commandos abseiling.ships godmother, I would choose Sir Elton John. With
In 1999, the first “Fairy Godmother” was named,his worldwide appeal across all age groups, and his
with Tinkerbell being made Godmother of Disneyflamboyant personality, this must go hand in hand with
Wonder, as she flew along the ship she sprinkled pixiethe new innovations on Oasis of The Seas.
dust. Her involvement was kept top secret until the lastHowever, Elton John is not female, but if anyone could
minute and took everyone by surprise.pull this honour off, it has to be him.
It took British actress Dame Judi Dench three attempts