Diana Ross will not be taking to the waters aboard RCI-Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas as earlier scheduled. The 81-year-old singer has withdrawn from the showcase voyage set for later this month. Her representatives stated that unforeseen circumstances had made her participation impossible. The cruise line, while expressing regret over her absence as the vessel’s appointed godmother, indicated that a successor for the ceremonial role will be announced in due course. Ross was named godmother to the company’s second Icon Class ship in June.
The Star of the Seas was to sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 20th for a 3-day passage, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas. Ross’s schedule otherwise remains full; she will commence the United States leg of her Beautiful Love tour on Saturday in Saratoga, California, with eight performances planned through November 8th. She concluded the United Kingdom portion of the tour in July.
When appointed to the role in June, Ross had remarked to the press that she felt a long-standing connection with the sea, describing it as a place of peace, adventure, and wonder. She had noted that the invitation to serve as godmother to Star of the Seas held special significance and that her entire family had been invited aboard for the occasion. She said the ship embodied the spirit of joy and family activity. At the time, she had also outlined her personal priorities, which included maintaining her health and well-being, valuing family above all, remaining active through her work, swimming regularly to stay limber, ensuring adequate rest, eating well, and occasionally indulging in Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
Earlier this year, during a performance in Brooklyn, Ross told her audience she had no plans to retire from the stage.