Astronaut Kellie Gerardi Named Godmother of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has tapped astronaut, author, and science communicator Kellie Gerardi as godmother of its newest Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, replacing singer Diana Ross, who withdrew from the role this week “due to unforeseen circumstances.” The ship will be officially named in Port Canaveral on Aug. 20.

The appointment came together quickly after Ross’s departure, Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley told attendees during a press conference onboard the second trade sailing of Star of the Seas.

“We thought, ‘who could be the godmother now?’” Bayley said. “We’re starting out of Port Canaveral, the ship is called Star of the Seas, so why don’t we find someone who’s been to space?”

Bayley noted the choice needed to embody “adventure and excitement” while continuing the line’s tradition of honoring women in the role.

Gerardi, 36, is a payload specialist for Virgin Galactic and the director of human spaceflight operations at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences. She made her first spaceflight in November 2023 aboard Galactic 05, becoming one of the first 100 women in space, and is slated to lead an all-female research crew on a 2026 mission. Her work focuses on bioastronautics and human-tended research in microgravity, including experiments on biomedical monitoring and fluid dynamics in weightlessness.

Beyond her technical credentials, Gerardi is a well-known science communicator with more than 1.3 million Instagram followers and a strong presence on TikTok, where she shares behind-the-scenes insights on spaceflight and STEM careers. She has authored books for both adults and children, and her advocacy for “democratizing access to space” aligns with Royal Caribbean’s positioning of Star of the Seas as a ship for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.