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Estefan's Heroic Intervention: Preventing a Potential Cruise Disaster
28 Oct
Summary
- Gloria Estefan christened a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 1990
- Estefan was nervous about breaking the 33-lb champagne bottle
- The bottle dented the ship instead of breaking, but Estefan handled the situation gracefully
In 1990, music legend Gloria Estefan played a pivotal role in preventing a potential cruise ship disaster. Estefan, who had recently recovered from a near-fatal bus accident earlier that year, was chosen by the Royal Caribbean Group to christen their new vessel, the Nordic Empress (later renamed the Empress of the Seas).
However, the christening ceremony did not go as planned. Estefan, who was nervous about breaking the 33-pound champagne bottle, ended up denting the ship instead of shattering the bottle. Despite the unexpected mishap, Estefan remained gracious and composed, entertaining the crowd during the event.
According to Richard Fain, the former CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, the incident could have been a public relations disaster. Instead, Estefan's handling of the situation turned it into a PR win for the company. The event was widely covered by local media, with Fain recalling that "every station in the area showed it, in slow motion mind you."
In the years since, Royal Caribbean has continued the tradition of appointing celebrity godmothers for their vessels, including astronaut Kellie Gerardi and singer Meghan Trainor. However, Estefan's christening moment remains a memorable and unique moment in the company's history.
