Tag Archives: godmother

Carnival Announces Queen Latifah as Godmother to New Carnival Horizon

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Queen Latifah will be the godmother to Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival HorizonPHOTO: Queen Latifah will be the godmother to Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon. (photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)Carnival Cruise Line just revealed its latest in a lineup of traditional ship godmothers—Queen Latifah. She will serve the honorary role for the company’s upcoming new Carnival Horizon when she officially names and christens the vessel in New York City on May 23, 2018.

”With her fun-loving spirit and positive, can-do attitude, Queen Latifah embodies our brand and knows how to ‘Choose Fun’ in everything she does,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a press release.

“Knowing that she is a long-time supporter of St. Jude and has performed and won ‘Lip Sync Battle’ made her the ideal candidate to serve as godmother to our newest ship.”

Queen Latifah is a multifaceted dynamo as a Grammy award-winning musical artist, television and film actress, label president, author, entrepreneur and now godmother. The announcement follows Carnival bringing on a similarly energetic personality in Shaquille O’Neal as its “CFO,” or Chief Fun Officer.

”Carnival is an iconic American brand and it’s an honour to be named godmother of Carnival Horizon and take part in the event on May 23, honouring the special children of St. Jude – a cause that is very near and dear to my heart,” said Latifah, in the release.

The New York City naming ceremony will bestow a check to partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with funds raised during onboard and shoreside activities and events prior to the party. As previously revealed, artwork from over 30 St. Jude patients will be displayed on the ship’s triple-decker “Dreamscape” atrium LED sculpture.

The invitation-only overnight gala on May 23 will also consist of a special “Lip Sync Battle: Horizon” showcase reproducing the popular Paramount Network television series.

Latifah can currently be seen in the cast of the FOX series “STAR.” Her accolades include an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award nomination for portraying Mama Morton in “Chicago.” She also got an Emmy nomination, a Golden Globe win and SAG Award win for performing in “Life Support” and “Bessie.”

Additionally, she is the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and she has six Grammy nominations and a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rap Performance to her name. Her Flavor Unit Entertainment production company produces television shows and films.

Latifah joins a list of high-profile Carnival godmothers that include Marcia Gay Harden, Kathy Ireland, Mira Sorvino, Katie Couric and Judi Dench.

After the christening, Carnival Horizon will commence a summer season from New York until September when the ship will transfer to year-round Caribbean voyages from Miami.

The Horizon will be similar to sister-ship Carnival Vista with favourite features such as the SkyRide and IMAX Theatre along for the ride, but it will introduce a number of new ones as well. Fresh onboard will be Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse with fare from Food Network star Guy Fieri as well as a Dr Seuss-themed water park in collaboration with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

Guests will be catered to in accommodations encompassing Cloud 9 Spa cabins with pampering perks, extra spacious Family Harbor staterooms and tropical-themed Havana cabins and suites with private daytime access to a Cuban-inspired bar and pool.

Carnival’s newest godmother a distinguished, and strategic, choice

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Barber the Godmother of the Carnival Vista
Carnival Cruise Line’s choice of an active duty member of the U.S. military, Deshauna Barber, to name its newest ship, got me wondering who the Navy chooses to christen its new warships.

There have been four Navy ships launched this year, including three littoral combat ships, the USS Sioux City, USS Wichita and USS Manchester.

The Sioux City was christened by Mary Winnefeld, wife of a retired admiral. The Wichita was christened by Kate Lehrer, a novelist and wife of former PBS News anchor Jim Lehrer, who is from Wichita. The Manchester was christened by New Hampshire’s senior U.S. Senator, Jeanne Shaheen.

Also named this year was the Navy’s second stealth destroyer, the USS Michael Monsoor, named for a former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor winner who jumped on a grenade in 2006 in Iraq to save his squad.  The ship was christened by his mother.

It’s that tradition of valor and service that Carnival will be tapping into on Nov. 4 when Barber names the Carnival Vista.

Carnival planned the New York City event as a tribute to the military, a group that the cruise industry has increasingly courted. Hundreds of military families were invited to overnight on the ship and attend a gala honoring Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that provides assistance to the families of service members, and featuring a concert by country music super star Carrie Underwood.

Barber will be the icing on the cake.

The daughter of a retired Army master sergeant who was a member of the special forces, Barber currently serves as logistics commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit in Rockville, Md.

She also happens to be the reigning Miss USA.

Carnival has had beauty queens name its ships before – Miss Universe Yvonne Ryding christened the Jubilee in 1986. It has had a soldier – Iraq POW Jessica Lynch named the Miracle in 2004. And it has had an African-American godmother before – Tracy Wilson Mourning, wife of former Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, named the Carnival Breeze in 2012.

That Barber is all three certainly makes her a distinguished choice.

The U.S. military is disproportionately rural and Southern, according to demographic studies. As a cruise line with 10 home ports stretching from Galveston to Norfolk and drawing from most of the southern states, Carnival is smart to make the military a target market.

Pitbull to christen Norwegian Escape

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In a break with tradition, Norwegian Cruise Line has picked a godfather rather than a godmother to christen its newest ship, Norwegian Escape.

The choice is Miami-based musician Pitbull, who will also perform at the ceremony scheduled for Nov. 9.

Pitbull also performed at the inaugural ceremonies for Norwegian Getaway when it was introduced in Miami in February 2014.

In an announcement, Norwegian said the selection of Pitbull as the ship’s godfather “reinforces Norwegian’s nontraditional cruising that focuses on freedom and flexibility for guests.”

Norwegian Getaway’s godmothers were the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders.

Pitbull is a stage name for Armando Christian Perez. The rapper and record producer has sold 6 million albums and 70 million singles, Norwegian said.