Cruise Ship Traditions, Explained
Godmothers, King Neptune, the ship’s bell and the unwritten rules on board.
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Modern cruise ships carry water slides and climbing walls, but they also carry cruise ship traditions that go back centuries: a godmother who names the ship, a horn blast as she leaves port, a captain’s welcome, and King Neptune holding court when the ship crosses the equator. Cruise Know-It-All explains where those customs came from, the etiquette that keeps a full ship pleasant, and how the cruise ship itself came to be.
This is an independent guide. We have no connection to any cruise line, and when we name a line or a godmother, it is because the fact is on the public record.
The Traditions, One by One
| Tradition | What happens | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| The godmother | A chosen person names the ship and wishes her well. | Old ship-blessing rites, made public in the age of the liner. |
| Breaking a bottle | A bottle, today usually champagne, is broken against the hull at the naming. | Older offerings of wine to the sea; champagne became the custom later. |
| The horn on departure | Many ships sound the horn as they leave the berth. | Sound signals are part of the rules of navigation; the farewell is a friendly custom on top. |
| The ship’s bell | Rung for time, signals and ceremonies; often engraved with the ship’s name. | Bells marked the watches at sea long before clocks did. |
| Crossing the line | A playful ceremony with King Neptune at the equator. | Navies and merchant ships for centuries. |
| Captain’s welcome | An early reception where the captain greets guests and introduces senior officers. | The liner tradition of the captain as host. |
| Formal or dress-up nights | Evenings where guests dress for dinner. | Liner dining rooms, where dressing for dinner was expected. |
Each has a page: cruise ship godmothers, naming ceremonies and the history of the cruise ship.
Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules on Board
Balconies and pools
Noise carries, chairs are shared, and nothing goes over the rail.
Balcony and pool →
Cruise ducks
The rubber-duck game that took over the high seas, and how to play it kindly.
Cruise duck etiquette →Superstitions Sailors Still Mention
- A naming bottle that does not break is considered a bad omen, so ceremonies are rehearsed carefully.
- Whistling on deck was once said to “whistle up” a storm.
- Many sailors avoid starting a voyage on a Friday.
- Albatrosses and dolphins following a ship are taken as good luck.
- Renaming a ship without ceremony is thought to anger the sea.
Nobody on a modern bridge sails by superstition, of course: navigation, weather routing and safety rules govern every voyage. Our sister site Cruising Is Safe explains how.
Questions About Traditions at Sea
Why do ships have godmothers?
It comes from the old practice of blessing a new ship before her first voyage. Today the godmother, or sometimes a godfather or group of godparents, names the ship at a ceremony and is said to bring good fortune to her and all who sail on her.
What is the crossing the line ceremony?
A centuries-old seafaring tradition marking a ship’s crossing of the equator. Sailors who have never crossed before are put through a playful “trial” before a crew member dressed as King Neptune. Some cruise ships still hold a lighthearted version on deck.
Why are ships called she?
English-speaking sailors have long referred to ships as female. Explanations vary, from ships being named after goddesses and patrons to the bond between a crew and its vessel. Some organizations now use “it” instead, but “she” remains common at sea.
Is it bad luck to rename a ship?
Sailors have long believed so, which is why renamings are often marked with a small ceremony. Cruise ships are renamed regularly when they change owners, usually without fuss.
Who Is Behind This Site
Cruise Know-It-All is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
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