Like mother, like daughter: actress Cassidy Gifford is following in her mother’s footsteps and will serve as godmother to Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Celebration, during the ship’s naming ceremony to be held in Miami on Nov. 20, 2022. Cassidy’s mom, Kathie Lee Gifford, was godmother to Carnival Celebration’s namesake, M/S Celebration, christened in 1987, and served as Carnival’s spokesperson in the 80s.
Cassidy has memories of sailing on Carnival since she was a baby with her mother and father, the late Frank Gifford.
“Carnival Cruise Line has been a huge part of our family with my earliest memories taking family trips on Carnival ships,” said Cassidy Gifford in a press statement. “And now to be asked to be Godmother of the namesake ship to the one my mom christened is truly an honor 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.”
“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,” said Kathie Lee Gifford in a press statement. “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.
“Since our founding in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line has carried generations of guests and has helped millions of families make lasting vacation memories,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a press statement. “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 honored 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!’”
For more information, visit carnival.com.
