There is a special fraternity of people entrusted with blessing cruise ships before they take sail into the wide open seas. Welcome to the world of cruise ship godmothers.
For as long as sailing vessels have been built they have been ceremoniously blessed in a variety of ways before venturing out on the high seas. Historical records tell us that water, wine and even sacrificial human blood have been used in the name of appeasing the gods and blessing the ship. In modern times however, civilisation has gone through a somewhat marked refinement in customs. Now, these occasions are lavish red carpet affairs with elaborate stages and champagne baptisms. These blessing ceremonies have evolved to become huge events where thousands turn out from far and wide to wish well to these amazing ships.
Far removed from the pagan priests of yesteryear, a fraternity of cruise ship godmothers have emerged who are now entrusted to bring good fortune and protection to the crew and ship whilst at sea. Once only thought of as the domain of royalty, high society or the wives of ship owners, cruise ship godmothers now encompass a wide cross section of people in the public eye. This is in someway due to a change in culture and the increase in production of new cruise ships. There is more and more competition within the industry to attract customers and create a unique brand of cruise holiday, and cruise ship godmothers have proven an ideal way to convey these messages.
Celebrity Culture
In the modern age of paparazzi and instant celebrity, those in the public eye hold large mass appeal and a huge marketing weight that can attract intended target markets. For example Ulrika Jonsson, day time TV personality, was named as a cruise ship godmother to Ocean Village in 2003. She is not someone who may immediately be associated with cruising but Ulrika Jonsson attracts a wide audience and for those reasons exemplifies Ocean Villages’ slogan, “The cruise for people who don’t do cruises.” In contrast to this HM Queen Elizabeth, although not officially referred to as such, is godmother to Cunard’s QM2, a ship that embodies the fine high class and classic style ethos of the company just like her godmother. Celebrating cruise ships with the attendance of cruise ship godmothers has become such an occasion for cruise lines that even the re-naming of ships have now become major events and give cruise companies the chance to show off their splendid fleets.
In 2007 NCL Cruises launched a website and ran a competition to win the honour of being godmother to one of its latest ships. Contestants were asked to send in video interviews of themselves telling the public why they should be made godmother. The competition was open to all age groups and proved that cruise lines are more and more focusing their efforts on appealing to the mass market and making cruise holidays accessible to all.
Bon Voyage!
The people who bless these fantastic vessels may have changed over the years reflecting our cultural shifts, but one thing remains the same. And that is that these ships are launched with all the blessings and good will in the hope that they will always return to harbour safe and sound.
A-List celebrities to the girl next door, here’s a round up of some of this elite club.
| Helen Mirren- P&O Ventura (2008) | | Cindy Cardella - Norwegian Gem (2007) |
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Kim Cattrall - Norwegian Dawn (2002) | |
HM Queen Elizabeth - QM2 (2004) |
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Sophia Loren - MSC Opera (2004) | |
Melanie Trump - NCL Jewel (2005) |
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Whoppi Goldberg - RCCL Serenade (2003) | |
Ulrika Jonsson - Ocean Village (2003) |
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