From stepping aboard with your right foot first to banning bananas, commandeering a ship has always come with traditions and customs. As we take to the water with Trafalgar River Cruise, we’re keeping some and ditching others – we’ll still pop a bottle of champagne before our ship’s first voyage, but we’re doing things differently when it comes to our River Cruise godmothers.
1. Why do cruise ships have Godmothers?
Superstitions and traditions surrounding ships and their journeys have evolved throughout millennia. Blessing ships has happened in different ways, from the Viking tradition of painting the bow of the ship with the blood of a sacrificed victim, to smashing a bottle of champagne in 19th-century France.
Ancient cultures including the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians have long blessed their ships, calling upon the gods to give them safe passage. Now instead of the gods, the godmother takes on these duties for modern-day cruise ships, which have evolved these ancient traditions. Now, many call upon influential people to serve as godmothers – from pop royalty like Jennifer Lopez and Oprah Winfrey to actual royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
Godmothers do more than just crack a bottle of champagne against a ship’s hull; they give the ship their name during a ceremony, and bless the boat on its inaugural sailing for good luck. And our godmothers? Well, they’ll do even more than that.
2. Why we’re doing things differently
If there’s one word that sums Trafalgar up, it’s ‘people’. Incredible people are always at the heart of our tours, from our local hosts and knowledgeable Travel Directors to our beloved guests.
That’s why we couldn’t name our ships after royals or celebrities who have never experienced the magic of a Trafalgar tour. Instead, we’re putting real guests front and center, just like we always have – because they’re royalty to us.
Introducing our first Trafalgar godmothers, Kate and Cassie, who you may recognize as previous winners of our Trafalgar Unlocked Awards. They’ve been on more than 10 Trafalgar trips between them, and inspired countless other travelers with their curiosity and warmth.
Beyond the celebration, our godmothers will join our Guest Design Committee. We know that travel is best when shaped by those who experience it; their insight and thoughtful approach to travel will help shape the future of our ships and experiences for generations of Trafalgar guests to come.
“Rather than choosing celebrities or royalty, we are celebrating the true heart of travel: our guests. As we launch Trafalgar River Cruises, we are proud to introduce two extraordinary women who embody that spirit in their own unique ways. Each represents the soul of the ships they will bless and guide. Reflective and full of quiet wonder, Kate represents the warmth and thoughtfulness that make every Trafalgar journey unforgettable. Meanwhile, Cassie’s vibrant, colorful outlook reflects exactly what Verity stands for: truth, optimism, and living with an open heart.” – Rita Kelly, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications
3. Meet our River Cruise Godmothers
Our Trafalgar godmothers are two incredible women who have inspired us in the way they travel, and who we know will steer our River Cruise ships in the right direction (not literally – that’s what our captains are for!).
Kate
When Kate’s youngest daughter went to Canada on a school exchange trip, she decided to seize the opportunity to follow her travel dreams and make the journey from Australia to Canada – all on her own. She signed up to share a room with a stranger, and was lucky enough to become best friends with her roommate Sharene as they traveled magical Canada together. It was this inspiring story that won Kate a place on the 2024 Trafalgar Unlocked Awards.
What did Kate say when she found out the news? “Wow! A godmother? It’s better than a grandmother. It feels amazing, I don’t have words for it. It’s like a dream come true!”
Kate will be a part of Trafalgar Reverie’s inaugural sailing on Best of the Danube, from 11th – 18th April 2026.
Cassie
Cassie made a splash with her story of braving the chill of the Nile River for a swim in April, with a fellow traveler and a water buffalo for company in the water. Securing her a place on the 2023 Trafalgar Unlocked Awards, Cassie brought her optimism and zest for life to the winners’ trip to the Balkans.
How did Cassie react to the news? “I feel honored! You’re gonna make me cry. Thank you, this is amazing.”
Cassie will be on Trafalgar Verity’s maiden voyage, down the Best of Rhine and Amsterdam from 12th – 21st April 2026.
4. The moment Cassie and Kate found out they were going to be godmothers
5. How to River Cruise with us
Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie are our two River Cruise ships, sitting worlds apart from other vessels in their personality. Stepping aboard, you’ll realize these aren’t like other ships – we’ve done things differently with thoughtful design choices.
Elegant and timeless, Trafalgar Verity features Dutch blue-and-white porcelain vases, wall hangings and Dutch Delft pottery, a quiet nod to the artistry found along the Rhine, where the ship first sailed. This ship also features the only open firepit of any river ship in Europe, perfect for cozy nights on board as the Rhine floats past your window.
Sailing along the Danube, Trafalgar Reverie is bold and bright; some rooms are green or yellow, others are done in black and white, and unique patterns keep things interesting. Mirrors bring even more light in through the ship’s already large windows, making the space feel big and bright.
We don’t do things by halves – all the bathrooms in both ships are finished in real marble, while Trafalgar Verity displays original pieces by artists like Picasso, Miró, Chagall and Matisse.
Everything you know and love from our land tours has been transported to the water; with a Be My Guest and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on every sail, you’ll meet locals and contribute to sustainability. With your downtime, you can either head to the onboard spa for a massage or grab one of the bicycles and go and explore even more of your destination. This is River Cruise, your way.
Best of the Danube
Let the mighty Danube river take you on a journey through history, music and exceptional wine as you pass through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany.
Starting in bustling Budapest where you’ll visit the iconic Fisherman’s Bastion fortress, you’ll then cruise onward to Bratislava to see the famous castle. Step into the world of The Sound of Music in Salzburg, and hear Mozart’s symphonies come to life in Vienna. Into the lush Wachau Valley for a glass of Riesling, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vineyards and medieval castles, before finishing your journey in Passau, Bavaria, where you’ll taste local beer and freshly baked pretzels to the sound of traditional folk music.
Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam
Unlock your inner romantic along the Rhine, where fairytale castles and medieval towns dot the shoreline as you travel through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland.
Start wandering Amsterdam’s canals, before crossing into Cologne to stand beneath its towering Cathedral, and onwards to stroll through Strasbourg’s old town. Cruise through the romantic Middle Rhine, surrounded by steep vineyards, medieval castles and half-timbered towns, passing the Black Forest to enjoy a homegrown meal at a family-run farm in the Rhine plain.
With our first two ships setting sail in 2026, we will also be custom-building more of our own ships to set sail in 2028 – and we can’t wait to see more of our past guests take on the role of River Cruise godmothers.
Explore Europe from the water on Trafalgar River Cruises.