Why does a Cruise Ship need a Godmother?
- Esther
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
If you have ever followed the launch of a brand-new cruise ship, you are probably familiar with its most iconic moment: an elegantly dressed woman smashing a massive bottle of champagne against the ship's hull. But where does this tradition come from? Why do we specifically speak of a Godmother, and who actually gets to choose her?
Dive into the history, the superstition, and the glamour behind one of the maritime world’s finest and most enduring traditions!
The History
While modern ship christenings are spectacular media events filled with glitter and glamour, the origin of the ritual is rooted in deep maritime superstition. Thousands of years ago, seafaring civilizations, including the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans, held elaborate ceremonies when launching a new vessel. They firmly believed that the gods of the sea needed to be appeased to protect the ship, its captain, and the crew from brutal storms and misfortune.
Over the centuries, ancient offerings to the sea gods evolved into a celebratory tradition using wine, and later, champagne. Today, smashing the bottle still symbolizes luck, prosperity, and a safe journey ("bon voyage").
What Does a Godmother Actually Do?
Being chosen as a ship's Godmother is a monumental honor. The primary and most crucial duty is to officially bless the vessel during the christening ceremony. They will say the following legendary words:
"I name this ship... May God bless her and all who sail on her."
Then triggers the mechanism (or traditionally cuts a rope) that sends the champagne bottle crashing against the hull. The Godmother remains permanently connected to the ship. A beautiful portrait is often displayed onboard and the Godmother is universally regarded as the ultimate guardian angel for both the crew and the guests.
Do All Cruise Ships Have a Godmother?
Virtually every modern cruise ship has an official Godmother. Cruising lines view it as an essential, non-negotiable ritual to bless the ship before it welcomes its very first paying guests.
However, recent years have brought some unique and modern twists to the tradition:
Godfathers: Global superstar Pitbull was named the official 'Godfather' of the Norwegian Escape and football legend Lionel Messi was chosen as the 'Icon' (Godfather) of the Icon of the Seas.
Godparents: Increasingly, couples or entire families are chosen. The famous wrestling and lifestyle duo The Bella Twins co-christened a ship together. Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila, are the official joint Godparents of the brand-new Star Princess! They officially christened the ship in Fort Lauderdale.
The Crew or Loyal Guests: To honor those who keep the industry moving, some lines bypass celebrities entirely, dedicating the ship to their hardworking crew members or most loyal, frequent cruisers.
Who Chooses the Godmother?
The decision rests entirely in the hands of the cruise line's executive leadership team and CEO. It is a strategic process that takes months of brainstorming and negotiation.
Typically, executives look for an individual (or group) who perfectly embodies the core values, style, and demographic of the cruise brand. A ultra-luxury, sophisticated cruise line will naturally lean toward an acclaimed classical actress or a member of a royal family, whereas a contemporary line focusing on young, active families might opt for a chart-topping pop star or a famous athlete.
Royal Lineage and Masterful Marketing
In the 19th century, the role was almost exclusively reserved for royalty. The late Queen Elizabeth II, for example, officially christened several iconic liners throughout her lifetime.
Today, the choice of a world-famous Godmother is a masterclass in PR and marketing. When a global icon like Oprah Winfrey (Nieuw Statendam), Jennifer Lopez (Valiant Lady), Katy Perry (Norwegian Prima), or Princess Diana (Royal Princess) attaches her name to a ship, it generates millions of dollars in free global media coverage, headlines, and social media buzz. It is the ultimate way to put a brand-new vessel on the map before the first guest even steps foot on deck. (Fun fact: the legendary Sophia Loren holds the ultimate record, having served as the proud Godmother to over 15 MSC Cruises ships!)
Did You Know?
An intense amount of superstition still surrounds the big moment. If the champagne bottle fails to break upon impact, panic quietly ripples through the shipyard and executive team. According to maritime lore, a bottle that remains intact is an omen of terrible luck for the ship's future. Fortunately, modern release mechanisms are engineered so precisely that the bottle almost always shatters beautifully into a thousand pieces!
The Keel Laying Ceremony
Long before a ship is ready for its Godmother and a bottle of champagne, it undergoes an entirely different, equally sacred maritime ritual at the shipyard: the keel laying ceremony.
Historically, the keel is the "backbone" of the ship, the very first piece of timber or steel placed in the dry dock upon which the rest of the vessel is built. To celebrate this milestone, an ancient Roman tradition is brought to life. The shipbuilders and shipowners place one or two specially minted coins under the keel block before the massive structure is lowered into place.
This tradition is rooted in ancient mythology. Sailors believed that if a tragedy occurred at sea, the coins under the keel would serve as payment to Charon, the mythical ferryman, to safely guide the souls of the crew across the River Styx into the afterlife.
Today, the coin ceremony is a symbol of good fortune and a blessing for the shipbuilders and future crew. The coins are welded directly into the structure or placed in a special commemorative box. When the ship is finally completed, these same coins are often displayed in a prominent place on board, such as near the bridge or the atrium, carrying that original blessing throughout the ship's entire life on the ocean.
The Difference between: Godmother vs. Brand Ambassador
As you follow the cruise industry, you will frequently hear two terms used for high-profile partnerships: Godmother and Brand Ambassador. While they both bring star power to a cruise line, their roles, timelines, and meanings are completely different.
The Godmother: A Lifelong Spiritual Bond
The Godmother is a symbolic, honorary figure deeply rooted in maritime tradition and superstition. The primary job is spiritual: to bless the ship and protect everyone onboard. It is a lifetime title for one specific ship. Even if the cruise line launches ten more ships, the Godmother remains the exclusive person of the designated vessel. It is less about daily marketing and more about a permanent, prestigious bond.
The Brand Ambassador: A Modern Marketing Partnership
A Brand Ambassador is a purely commercial and strategic role. This person is hired to be the "face" of the entire cruise line (not just one ship) for a specific period. It is a contractual business agreement, usually lasting a few years. During this time, the ambassador promotes the cruise line across social media, stars in television commercials, and attends major corporate events. Think of it as a modern corporate partnership. For example, a cruise line might hire a famous chef, wellness guru, or travel influencer as their Brand Ambassador to design onboard menus, create fitness programs, or drive bookings through their massive follower base. Once the contract ends, the partnership finishes.
In short: A Godmother is a permanent, symbolic guardian angel for a single ship, while a Brand Ambassador is a modern marketing partner hired to promote the entire cruise brand.
A Perfect Real-World Example: Jannik Sinner & Explora Journeys
While each of their ultra-luxury ships will receive its own traditional Godmother at its official launch ceremony, the cruise line recently signed world number-one tennis champion Jannik Sinner as their global Brand Ambassador.
Jannik Sinner doesn’t just bless a single ship; as an ambassador, he represents the entire Explora Journeys brand worldwide. This multi-year commercial partnership connects his elite, high-performance, and elegant image with the luxury cruise line to reach a completely new, affluent audience through global marketing campaigns and exclusive events.
My experience
I recently had the privilege of attending the inauguration of two stunning river cruise ships from Van Loon Cruises: the Gentleman and the Nobleman. Instead of a corporate celebrity partnership, this family-owned line chose a deeply meaningful approach. The owner’s daughter and daughter-in-law were named the official Godmothers, each blessing a ship.
Witnessing this firsthand reminded me of the true essence of this centuries-old tradition. Behind all the modern marketing and media buzz, being a Godmother is ultimately about family, pride, and a deep, personal commitment to protecting the ship and everyone who sails on her.
As you might have learned, a ship’s journey is marked by unique traditions, from the keel laying to the final naming ceremony. It’s these rituals that truly give a vessel its soul before it even hits the open sea.
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Read more blogs? Check out: Explora Journeys: Everything about MSC Group's new Luxury Line.
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