Diana Ross Named Godmother of Royal Caribbean’s ‘Star of the Seas’

Diana Ross, 80, center, poses in her Met Gala gown embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren in this family portrait taken by Dennis Gocer. The 18-foot feathered shawl reportedly required six helpers—though compared to christening a 250,000-ton cruise ship, that’s light lifting. Ross was named godmother of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, which launches August 31. (Photo by Dennis Gocer/The Collective You, via dianaross.com)

Diana Ross, icon of stage, screen and sequined glamour, is trading the concert hall for the high seas this August — because 2025 wasn’t surreal enough already.

Royal Caribbean officially tapped Ross as the godmother of its new mega-cruise ship, Star of the Seas, on Thursday. Yes, godmother. Not to a child, but to a 250,800-ton floating resort with Broadway-style musicals, 40-plus places to eat and drink, and something ominously called the Category 6 waterpark. In accordance with maritime tradition, Ross will "bless" the ship and its future vacationers during a naming ceremony. Instead of breaking hearts, she’ll break a bottle of champagne against the hull — same drama, fewer costume changes.

Ross — already mother to five and unofficial godmother to most of the Motown diaspora — seems like a natural pick. Who better to bestow safe passage on a floating palace of excess than the woman who turned a sequined gown into a personality trait? "Love Hangover" may be about heartbreak, but let’s be honest: it could easily be the ship’s signature cocktail by August.

"I am truly honored to join the Royal Caribbean family," Ross said in a statement that reads smoother than a poolside piña colada. "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."

That journey now includes presiding over what’s being marketed as the world’s best family vacation — a ship so big it has its own neighborhoods, including the AquaDome, a sort of glass-encased wonderland featuring ocean views and Cirque-du-Soleil-style performances. Also onboard? A stage adaptation of "Back to the Future," because apparently, time travel and cruise buffets do mix.

Ross will be on hand when Star of the Seas launches from Port Canaveral in Florida, on August 31, setting sail on 7-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with guaranteed stops at Royal Caribbean’s overachieving private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Yes, that’s the real name. No, you’re not dreaming.

Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley called Ross a perfect fit for the ship’s vibe of joy and multigenerational magic. "We couldn’t imagine a more fitting godmother," he said. "Diana Ross is a true icon known for creating music that transcends generations while celebrating life and bringing people together." Basically, she's the human version of the ship’s mood board.

Ross’s duties are symbolic — think vibes, not lifeboat drills. But the role still comes with weight: it’s a blessing of good fortune, smooth seas, and zero karaoke mishaps for the thousands of passengers expected to come aboard.

So, if you’ve been longing for a vacation blessed by a disco legend, curated by a cruise line that thinks bigger is always better, your ship quite literally comes in this August. Diana Ross, diva of the deep, is ready to rule the waves — and this time, you can follow her lead in flip-flops.