Katy Perry joins a long line of women in becoming a ship godmother, a long-standing naval tradition dating back to Greek and Roman times. Photo: Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP
Katy Perry joins a long line of women in becoming a ship godmother, a long-standing naval tradition dating back to Greek and Roman times. Photo: Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP
Katy Perry joins a long line of women in becoming a ship godmother, a long-standing naval tradition dating back to Greek and Roman times. Photo: Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP
Katy Perry joins a long line of women in becoming a ship godmother, a long-standing naval tradition dating back to Greek and Roman times. Photo: Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP

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Katy Perry named godmother of Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship

The pop star will host a one-night only naming ceremony concert in Iceland in August

Hayley Skirka
Hayley Skirka

March 19, 2022

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Pop star and American Idol judge Katy Perry is about to add another string to her bow.

That’s because the Roar songstress has been named godmother of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most spacious ever cruise ship.

Perry will perform a one-night-only concert in Reykjavik to officially name the Norwegian Prima, the most in-demand cruise ship in the operator's fleet.

The 'Norwegian Prima' will set sail in August 2022. Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line
The 'Norwegian Prima' will set sail in August 2022. Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line

The christening ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 27, and will also be the first-ever cruise ship naming ceremony to take place in the Icelandic capital.

“My most favourite way to holiday with my family is on the water,” the Grammy nominee said on Thursday.

“Every morning that you wake up, you get to experience an incredible new view. I love that I get to christen her with my good vibrations, and I’m so excited for this new, beautiful, high-end, high-tech ship to take the seas, and provide once-in-a-lifetime holidays for so many families.”

Katy Perry will perform during a ceremony to officially name the ship. AP Photo
Katy Perry will perform during a ceremony to officially name the ship. AP Photo

Norwegian Prima is the cruise liner’s first new class of ships in nearly 10 years. Measuring in at 294-metres long and weighing 142,500 gross tonnes, it's being billed as the company’s most in-demand vessel.

Travellers cruising Prima will have access to several infinity pools, ocean-walk glass bridges with limitless views of the waterways, an outdoor sculpture garden and the brand’s first-ever open-air marketplace.

Due to set sail in August, Norwegian Prima will initially sail from the UK and Iceland to northern Europe, before commencing crossings to Bermuda from New York in October then voyaging around the Caribbean from ports in the US this winter.

What are ship godmothers?

The promenade of the MSC Virtuosa. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
The promenade of the MSC Virtuosa. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
The largest ship in MSC's fleet is more than 65 metres tall
The largest ship in MSC's fleet is more than 65 metres tall
A Formula One simulator in the ship's amusement zone
A Formula One simulator in the ship's amusement zone
The back deck of the MSC Virtuosa as it docked in Dubai for its official naming ceremony
The back deck of the MSC Virtuosa as it docked in Dubai for its official naming ceremony
The ship has luxury shops, restaurants and bars on board
The ship has luxury shops, restaurants and bars on board
The view towards the Galleria Virtuosa, the longest LED dome at sea
The view towards the Galleria Virtuosa, the longest LED dome at sea
A deluxe balcony cabin on the MSC Virtuosa
A deluxe balcony cabin on the MSC Virtuosa
The dome changes colour and displays to create various atmospheres and ambience for passengers
The dome changes colour and displays to create various atmospheres and ambience for passengers
Le Grand theatre on the MSC Virtuosa hosts nightly Broadway-style performances, free for travellers to book
Le Grand theatre on the MSC Virtuosa hosts nightly Broadway-style performances, free for travellers to book
Passengers on the MSC Virtuosa embark in Dubai before the ship's journey to Abu Dhabi and Doha
Passengers on the MSC Virtuosa embark in Dubai before the ship's journey to Abu Dhabi and Doha
Savannah Aquapark is one of the largest waterparks at sea
Savannah Aquapark is one of the largest waterparks at sea
Running and walking tracks on the upper deck
Running and walking tracks on the upper deck
The Attic nightclub on the vessel
The Attic nightclub on the vessel
One of the five swimming pools on the ship
One of the five swimming pools on the ship
The Virtuosa bar
The Virtuosa bar
The children's club has a basketball and football indoor court
The children's club has a basketball and football indoor court
Gym-goers will be rewarded with ocean views
Gym-goers will be rewarded with ocean views
View from the balcony of a cabin on the MSC Virtuosa, overlooking Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal 3 in Port Rashid, Dubai
View from the balcony of a cabin on the MSC Virtuosa, overlooking Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal 3 in Port Rashid, Dubai
The sparkling Swarovski-crystal staircase on the MSC Virtuosa
The sparkling Swarovski-crystal staircase on the MSC Virtuosa
Passengers enjoy the aqua park as the ship is docked in Dubai
Passengers enjoy the aqua park as the ship is docked in Dubai
Children can enjoy their own places to play with separate supervised facilities for babies, children and teenagers
Children can enjoy their own places to play with separate supervised facilities for babies, children and teenagers
The $800 million MSC Virtuosa cruise ship was officially named in Dubai by Sheikh Mansoor and Hollywood actress Sophia Loren
The $800 million MSC Virtuosa cruise ship was officially named in Dubai by Sheikh Mansoor and Hollywood actress Sophia Loren
The view from the pool on the MSC Virtuosa
The view from the pool on the MSC Virtuosa
Adults and children can enjoy the amusement zone
Adults and children can enjoy the amusement zone
The Tropical Pool has a retractable glass roof allowing it to be open air or enclosed
The Tropical Pool has a retractable glass roof allowing it to be open air or enclosed
Lifeboats on the MSC Virtuosa
Lifeboats on the MSC Virtuosa

Choosing a godmother is a long-standing naval tradition for new ships, dating back to Greek and Roman times.

It involves a civilian, typically a woman, being selected to bring good luck and protection to the ship, as well as having the honour of officially naming the vessel before it sets sail.

Perry isn’t the first celebrity to be picked for the role by Norwegian — Kelly Clarkson and Kim Cattrall have previously held the same role.

Hollywood legend Sofia Loren was recently in Dubai as godmother of the $800 million MSC Virtuosa, Dubai's largest cruise ship.

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