Cruise Ship Godmothers
The person who names a ship, and stays linked to her for life.
Get Free Cruise QuotesCruise Ship Godmothers: Who They Are and What They Do
Cruise ship godmothers give a new ship her name and her blessing. At the naming ceremony the godmother speaks the traditional words wishing good fortune to the ship and all who sail on her, then releases the bottle that breaks against the hull. After that she is linked to the ship for life.
| Famous naming | Ship and line | Why it is remembered |
|---|---|---|
| Diana, Princess of Wales (1984) | Royal Princess, Princess Cruises | A royal naming that made headlines around the world. |
| Queen Elizabeth II (2004) | Queen Mary 2, Cunard, named at Southampton | The Queen named several Cunard ships over her reign. |
| Catherine, then Duchess of Cambridge (2013) | Royal Princess (the second ship of the name), Princess Cruises | A new generation continuing the royal link. |
| Sophia Loren (2003 onward) | Many MSC Cruises ships, starting with MSC Lirica | The actress has been godmother to ship after ship for MSC. |
The list above is only a sample; many lines publish their own godmothers when each ship is named. Our sister site New Cruises follows the new ships being named in 2026, 2027 and beyond.
Not Only the Famous
Some of the most moving namings honor people who are not celebrities. Cruise lines have named ships with crew members, travel advisors, frontline workers, teachers, children and long-time guests as godparents. Some ships have more than one, and a few river and smaller lines have invited the public to apply. The point is the same in every case: the ship is given a guardian, and the guardian a lasting connection to her.
The Godmother’s Role After the Ceremony
Being a godmother is not an office with duties, but many take it seriously. Some return for anniversaries, sail on the ship again, send messages to the crew or support crew welfare causes. Crews often keep a portrait or a plaque of their godmother on board. When a ship is retired or sold, the link usually ends with her name, although a renamed ship may be given a new godmother.
Godmothers and good luck
The superstition that a ship whose bottle fails to break will be unlucky is one reason ceremonies are planned to the second. Today the bottle is often released by a mechanism, and the godmother cuts a ribbon or presses a button. The details of the ceremony itself are on our ship naming ceremonies page.
Cruise Ship Godmother Questions
Who chooses a ship’s godmother?
The cruise line. Godmothers are often famous actors, singers, royalty or company figures, but lines also choose crew members, travel advisors, healthcare workers, teachers and guests to honor a group or a cause.
Can a ship have a godfather?
Yes. Godfathers and groups of godparents have become more common in recent years, alongside the traditional godmother.
Does the godmother sail on the ship?
She usually attends the naming ceremony on board and may sail on an early voyage. Many godmothers keep a lasting link with the ship and her crew.
Sail on a Newly Named Ship
Tell us whether you would like a new ship’s first season. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check which new ships have space in their opening months and quote them for free.
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