For nearly 100 years, cruise ships have been blessed for their inaugural sail by designated "godmothers." These specially selected civilians, usually women, attend a ship's launch, where they officially name the vessel and crack open up a bottle of Champagne to celebrate its first sail (on larger ships, they may pull a lever or push a button to release a bottle that crashes onto the bow).
This tradition "gives life" to a ship, and as godmothers do, provides guidance and good luck. Of course, Disney Cruise Line has lots of fun with its godmothers, including having Tinker Bell sprinkle pixie dust on Disney Wonder.
Over the years, many celebrities have also served as godmothers, including Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (who aptly blessed the Royal Princess), Queen Latifah (who presided over a ceremony for the Carnival Horizon) and Pitbull, a "godfather" who anointed Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Escape.