August 16th 2025.
Unfortunately, it seems that Diana Ross will not be able to fulfill her role as godmother for Royal Caribbean's latest ship, Star of the Seas. Her team announced that she will be missing the highly anticipated christening voyage due to some unforeseen circumstances. In a statement to People magazine on August 12th, a representative for the 81-year-old music icon expressed their regret, saying "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Diana Ross will be unable to appear."
Naturally, Royal Caribbean was disappointed by this news, but they wasted no time in planning for a new godmother. "We're disappointed but excited to name a new godmother soon," the company shared. It was back in June when Ross was first announced as the perfect fit for the role. Royal Caribbean's president and CEO, Michael Bayley, had even praised her in a statement, saying "I couldn't imagine a more fitting godmother for Star than Diana Ross."
The christening voyage was set to be a three-day showcase, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida on August 20th. It was supposed to feature a ceremonial champagne christening and a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In a release earlier this summer, Ross had expressed her excitement for the honor, saying "I am truly honored to join the Royal Caribbean family. Having spent years creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas."
In an interview with People about the role, Ross had shared her deep connection to the ocean and the magic it represents. "Peace, adventure, and awe," she had said. "When Royal Caribbean reached out to invite me to be the godmother of Star of the Seas, I knew it was something truly special." She had also mentioned that her children and grandchildren would be joining her on the christening voyage, saying "That's really what this ship is all about - joy and family fun."
The title of godmother carries a long-standing maritime tradition, symbolizing blessings of safety, prosperity, and protection for a new vessel. Royal Caribbean has always chosen women of global influence for this role, honoring figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, and Whoopi Goldberg in the past.
In related news, Royal Caribbean has recently announced their decision to move away from their private beach resort in Haiti due to ongoing violence and political unrest. This decision comes as a disappointment for many who have enjoyed the beautiful destination in the past. However, the safety and well-being of their guests is always the top priority for Royal Caribbean.
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