Carnival Cruise Line has announced that actress Cassidy Gifford will serve as godmother to its newest ship, Carnival Celebration.
In a video released today, she was surprised with the news by her mother Kathie Lee Gifford, who was Godmother to Carnival Celebration’s namesake, M/S Celebration, christened in 1987.
Cassidy first started sailing on Carnival as an infant with her mother and her father, the late Frank Gifford, who was an NFL and sports broadcasting legend.
Cassidy Gifford said: “Carnival Cruise Line has been a huge part of our family with my earliest memories taking family trips on Carnival ships.
“And now to be asked to be Godmother of the namesake ship to the one my mom christened is truly an honour and a blessing.
“There was no hesitation when my mom asked me, and I can’t wait to see this amazing ship in Miami in November.”
Kathie Lee Gifford said: “I was Carnival’s spokesperson for nearly 20 years starting in 1984, a time when I got married and had my children.
“They joined me on many television shoots on Carnival ships, so we have so many great memories.
“To be able to pass the torch to my daughter Cassidy as she is named Godmother of the new Carnival Celebration makes me so happy, I almost cried!”
Cassidy has been acting from a young age and is best known for her work in the box office hits God’s Not Dead and Warner Brothers’ The Gallows.
She has appeared in many other television and film roles, even winning the prize for Exceptional Emerging Artist at the 2018 Hollywood Film Festival. She currently lives with her husband in Nashville, Tennessee.
Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Since our founding in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line has carried generations of guests and has helped millions of families make lasting vacation memories.
“As we cap off our 50th Birthday festivities with the arrival of Carnival Celebration, we are so pleased to also extend our relationship with another generation of the Gifford family and honoured that Cassidy will serve as the ship’s Godmother.
“I can’t wait to welcome Cassidy and Kathie Lee on board and show off this beautiful new ship. So much has changed in our industry and our company over the past 50 years – it gives new meaning to those words Kathie Lee sang for Carnival – ‘if they could see us now!’”
Carnival Celebration will be the line’s ultimate 50th Birthday gift when she debuts this November from the redesigned Terminal F at PortMiami.
Carnival Celebration will be home to six themed zones and the line’s second BOLT roller coaster. The ship’s naming ceremony will be taking place on November 20, 2022, in Miami.
For more information, visit Carnival.com.
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