Celebrity Chef named Godmother of Oceania Cruises’ newest ship
Oceania Cruises, Marina
Prior to making their maiden voyage and in maritime tradition, a godmother is named for a new cruise ship. The godmother christens the ship in order to wish the passengers and crew safe travels.
In that tradition, Chef & Philanthropist, Cat Cora has been named as Oceania Cruises’ Riviera Godmother. Oceania continues to hold true to their word that the Riviera was “purposely built for epicureans” with over 10 different dining venues plus the Bon Appétit Culinary Center for hands-on learning by naming Cora as the godmother. The christening ceremony will happen on May 11th in Barcelona where Chef Cat Cora will name the ship.
In a press release, Oceania Cruises’ president, Kunal S. Kamlani, stated, “Cat Cora’s passion for fine cuisine and her focus on the dining experience captures the essence of what we do every day. We are all excited to have her christen our newest ship and are proud to welcome her to the Oceania Cruises family.”
Cora is the first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network’s Iron Chef America. And amongst owning numerous restaurants around the United States, she will be co-hosting a new show on Bravo called, “Around the World in 80 Plates” with Curtis Stone debuting in May. In addition, Cora was chosen for her role in “giving back” with Chefs for Humanity, an organization which she founded.
Cat Cora’s professional and philanthropic accomplishments work perfectly for a ship that’s goal is to provide cruisers with top cuisine.
Ship Godmothers, who were they in 2011?
Singer Mariah Carey joins Walt Disney Company President and CEO Robert A. Iger (right), Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Thomas O. Staggs and Mickey Mouse for the christening of the newest ship of Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy on March 1, 2012. (Matt Stroshane/Disney, photographer)
With the recent high profile announcement of Mariah Carey as the godmother of Disney’s newest ship, the Disney Fantasy, it made me think back to other people who share this title.
Here’s a look at the godmothers of 2011’s new ships:
- Oceania Cruises, Marina: Mary Hart, host from “Entertainment Tonight"
- Disney Cruises, Dream: Jennifer Hudson, an award winning entertainer
- Uniworld's S.S. Antoinette: Antoinette Tollman, also the namesake of the River Antoinette is the daughter of Beatrice Tollman, founder and president of Uniworld’s sister company, the Red Carnation Hotel Collection
- Carnival Magic: Lindsey Wilkerson, a former patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, now an employee and ambassador of the organization
- Seabourn Quest: Blythe Danner, Emmy- and Tony-Award winning actress
- Viking Prestige: Janice Farrar Titus, wife of the late cruise industry legend Warren Titus
- Costa Favolosa: Margareth Madè, Italian film actress
- Celebrity Silhouette: Michelle Morgan, the president and CEO of Signature Travel Network
In 2010, Royal Caribbean International made history with naming the first 3-D character, Princess Fiona from the movie, Shrek, as the Allure of the Seas godmother.
For more famous Godmothers, click here to check out CruiseCritic’s slide show of their top 13 Godmothers of all time.
Can you imagine being a godmother of a ship? For right now, I’m happy and proud being the godmother of my cousin, Daniel. Definitely would be a dream to one day christen a new ship! Hey, you never know!