Look through photos from MSC Cruises naming ceremonies and one familiar face appears again and again: Sophia Loren.
The legendary Italian actress has named 19 MSC cruise ships, beginning with MSC Lirica in 2003 and most recently MSC Euribia in 2023. Over those two decades, Loren became so closely connected with the cruise line that MSC began referring to her as the godmother of its fleet.
But why did MSC keep choosing Sophia Loren instead of selecting a different godmother for every new ship?
The relationship is about more than celebrity recognition. Loren’s European style and classic Hollywood glamour fit the image MSC Cruises wanted to project as it expanded around the world. Her continued involvement also reflects MSC’s emphasis on loyalty, family relationships and maritime tradition.
What started with one ship eventually became one of MSC Cruises’ most recognizable traditions.
What Does a Cruise Ship Godmother Do?
A cruise ship godmother serves as the ceremonial sponsor of a vessel.
During a traditional naming ceremony, the godmother cuts a ribbon that releases a bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull. The ceremony officially gives the ship its name while wishing good fortune and protection to the vessel, its crew and its future passengers.
It is an honorary position rather than an operational role. The godmother does not own the ship, work aboard it or make decisions about how it is operated.
MSC places particular importance on naming ceremonies because the company remains family-owned and traces its seafaring heritage back more than 300 years. Its ship launches are usually formal events featuring live entertainment, speeches, a gala dinner and the traditional champagne bottle ceremony.
How Did Sophia Loren’s Relationship With MSC Cruises Begin?
Sophia Loren first became an MSC Cruises godmother when she named MSC Lirica in 2003.
At the time, MSC Cruises was considerably smaller than it is today. The cruise line was preparing for a major period of expansion, and MSC Lirica was part of the modern fleet that would help transform the company into a much larger global cruise brand.
As MSC introduced more ships, Loren continued returning for their naming ceremonies.
MSC has explained that the ongoing partnership reflects both the company’s belief in loyalty and Loren’s combination of beauty, talent and elegant style. Those were qualities MSC felt also represented the experience it wanted to offer aboard its ships.
Over time, the relationship became personal as well as ceremonial. During the naming of MSC Seascape in 2022, Loren said the Aponte family behind MSC had become like family to her and that MSC occupied a special place in her heart.
Why Did MSC Keep Choosing Sophia Loren?
Several factors help explain why a single naming ceremony grew into a relationship lasting more than 20 years.
She Represents MSC’s European Identity
MSC Cruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, but the company has strong Italian and Mediterranean roots.
Sophia Loren is one of the most internationally recognized figures in Italian cinema. Her association with Italy, European culture and classic style made her a natural fit for a cruise line that has traditionally emphasized its European character.
MSC has specifically described Loren as embodying the European style and glamour at the heart of its brand.
That connection became particularly useful as MSC expanded outside Europe. Loren was recognizable to audiences around the world while still giving the company a distinctly European personality.
She Brings Classic Hollywood Glamour
Naming a new cruise ship is designed to be a major event.
There are formal dinners, live performances, celebrity guests, fireworks and carefully staged moments surrounding the ship’s official naming. Sophia Loren brings a level of classic Hollywood glamour that fits naturally into that setting.
Her career also gives her an international appeal that goes beyond any one country. MSC operates ships around the world, so choosing a globally recognized actress made more sense than selecting someone known only within a particular market.
Loren helped MSC’s naming ceremonies feel sophisticated and timeless without making them feel like temporary celebrity promotions.
MSC Values Loyalty and Family Relationships
MSC is still controlled by the Aponte family, and the company frequently presents its family ownership as an important part of its identity.
Rather than replacing Loren with a new celebrity each time another ship arrived, MSC built a tradition around bringing her back. That consistency reflects the company’s emphasis on long-term relationships.
It also gave each new ship a connection to the rest of the fleet. Even as MSC vessels became larger and more technologically advanced, Loren remained a familiar link between different generations of ships.
That continuity helped turn her role into more than an endorsement. She became part of the MSC Cruises story.
How Many MSC Ships Has Sophia Loren Named?
Sophia Loren has served as godmother to 19 MSC cruise ships.
Her first was MSC Lirica in 2003. Her 19th was MSC Euribia, which she officially named in Copenhagen in June 2023.
The complete sequence is:
- MSC Lirica – 2003
- MSC Opera – 2004
- MSC Musica – 2006
- MSC Orchestra – 2007
- MSC Poesia – 2008
- MSC Fantasia – 2008
- MSC Splendida – 2009
- MSC Magnifica – 2010
- MSC Divina – 2012
- MSC Preziosa – 2013
- MSC Meraviglia – 2017
- MSC Seaside – 2017
- MSC Seaview – 2018
- MSC Bellissima – 2019
- MSC Grandiosa – 2019
- MSC Seashore – 2021
- MSC Virtuosa – 2021
- MSC Seascape – 2022
- MSC Euribia – 2023
The list also shows just how closely Loren’s role was tied to MSC’s growth. She named ships from several different classes as the company expanded from a primarily European cruise line into one with a much larger global presence.
Was Sophia Loren Present at Every Naming Ceremony?
Sophia Loren did not always perform every part of the ceremony in person.
One notable example was MSC Seascape, which was officially named in New York City in December 2022. Loren participated virtually and delivered the ship’s blessing, while Alexa Aponte-Vago physically cut the ribbon that released the champagne bottle.
MSC still counted MSC Seascape as Loren’s 18th ship because she remained its official godmother.
Loren returned in person for the naming of MSC Euribia in Copenhagen the following year.
Is Sophia Loren the Godmother of Every MSC Ship?
Not technically.
MSC has frequently described Sophia Loren as the godmother of the fleet or even the godmother of all its ships. However, that is best understood as an honorary fleet-wide title.
She has officially served as godmother to 19 MSC ships, but not every vessel that has ever sailed for the cruise line was named by her.
Some older ships joined MSC after previously operating for other cruise lines. More recently, MSC has also selected different naming sponsors for ships connected to specific destinations and markets.
The clearest way to describe the distinction is this: Sophia Loren is the celebrated godmother of the MSC Cruises fleet, but she is not the individual godmother of every MSC ship.
Who Named MSC World Europa?
MSC World Europa broke from the modern Sophia Loren tradition when it was named in Doha, Qatar, in November 2022.
Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani officially cut the ribbon and named the ship. The choice reflected the importance of Qatar and the wider Gulf region to the ship’s launch.
MSC World Europa entered service shortly before MSC Seascape, which was still counted as Sophia Loren’s 18th MSC ship. That is another reason Loren’s fleet godmother title should not be interpreted as meaning she named every MSC ship in chronological order.
Who Is the Godmother of MSC World America?
Drew Barrymore is the godmother of MSC World America.
Barrymore officially named the ship in Miami on April 9, 2025. She cut the ribbon that triggered the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle against the ship’s bow, with actor Orlando Bloom joining her for the ceremony.
Her selection made sense for a ship designed specifically around MSC’s continued expansion in the United States.
MSC World America combines the line’s European character with restaurants, entertainment and public spaces developed to appeal more directly to North American cruisers. Barrymore had also appeared with Bloom in MSC’s major U.S. advertising campaign before the naming ceremony.
Rather than replacing Loren as the historical godmother of the fleet, Barrymore became the individual godmother of MSC World America.
Does This Mean MSC Has Replaced Sophia Loren?
There has been no announcement that MSC has formally replaced Sophia Loren as its celebrated fleet godmother.
Instead, the newer choices suggest that MSC is becoming more flexible about selecting naming sponsors for individual ships.
Sophia Loren remains closely tied to MSC’s history and named 19 vessels over a 20-year period. However, MSC World Europa and MSC World America show that future godmothers or naming sponsors may be chosen based on a ship’s homeport, inaugural market or individual identity.
That approach allows MSC to preserve Loren’s legacy while selecting someone with a special connection to a particular ship or audience.
Why Is MSC Divina So Closely Connected to Sophia Loren?
Of all the MSC ships named by Sophia Loren, MSC Divina has the most personal connection to her.
The ship was inspired by and dedicated to Loren. Even its name reflects the glamorous image associated with the internationally famous film star.
MSC Divina also contains a special Sophia Loren suite. Suite 16007 was designed with Loren’s help and includes colors, furnishings and design elements she helped select. MSC also placed 20 of Loren’s favorite novels in the MSC Yacht Club library aboard the ship.
That makes MSC Divina more than another ship Loren christened. It is a vessel whose name and onboard design directly celebrate her connection with MSC Cruises.
What Was the First MSC Ship Named by Sophia Loren?
MSC Lirica was the first MSC cruise ship named by Sophia Loren.
The naming took place in 2003 and marked the beginning of a relationship that would continue through multiple generations of MSC ships.
What Was the Most Recent MSC Ship Named by Sophia Loren?
MSC Euribia was the most recent MSC ship named by Sophia Loren.
The ceremony was held in Copenhagen on June 8, 2023. MSC identified it as the 19th cruise ship for which Loren had served as godmother.
Why Sophia Loren Became Part of the MSC Cruises Story
Sophia Loren did not become the face of MSC’s naming ceremonies through a single appearance.
What began with MSC Lirica in 2003 grew into a relationship built around loyalty, family connections and a shared image of European elegance. As MSC Cruises expanded its fleet, Loren returned to welcome generation after generation of new ships.
Different naming sponsors have now been selected for ships including MSC World Europa and MSC World America. Even so, Loren’s 20-year association with the cruise line remains one of MSC’s most recognizable traditions.
She may not technically be godmother to every ship MSC has ever operated, but no other person is as closely connected with the history and growth of the MSC Cruises fleet.
