NEED TO KNOW
Diana Ross will no longer appear on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas showcase cruise later this month.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Diana Ross will be unable to appear,” a representative for the singer, 81, said in a statement to PEOPLE.
The announcement comes two months after the “I’m Coming Out” hitmaker was named the official “godmother” of the Icon Class ship in June.
“We are disappointed that Diana Ross is unable to join us to be godmother of Star of the Seas,” a representative for the cruise line shared in a statement with PEOPLE. “We look forward to announcing our new godmother soon.”
Royal Caribbean
Ross was set to kick off the Star of the Seas’ showcase cruise out of Port Canaveral, near Orlando, Fla., on Aug. 20. The three-day voyage is set to bring guests to Royal Caribbean’s private Perfect Day at CocoCay destination.
“I’ve always felt a deep connection to the ocean and the magic it represents — peace, adventure and awe. When Royal Caribbean reached out to invite me to be the godmother of Star of the Seas, I knew it was something truly special,” Ross exclusively told PEOPLE after the announcement in June.
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She added: “The family has been invited and all the grandkids. That’s really what this ship is all about joy and family fun.”
The mother of five and grandmother of eight just completed a U.K. arena tour in July. She is set to start her Beautiful Love tour in the U.S. on Aug. 16 in Saratoga, Calif.
“Health and well-being,” the singer said after being asked about her focus these days. “And my family is everything to me. I like staying busy. Because I love what I do, it keeps me grounded. I’m swimming a lot lately to stay flexible. I must get my sleep which is important to me. I do my best to eat well, but I do like Häagen-Dazs ice cream.”
The Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newest addition to its fleet of ships. Filled with “adventures for all ages,” the ship features five signature shows, 40 spots to dine and drink, relaxing pools and thrilling waterslides, according to a press release.
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The cruise line made headlines last week when a guest was injured following a malfunction on an Icon of the Seas waterslide. ABC News reported an acrylic glass panel broke when the passenger used the slide on Aug. 7. The outlet reported the unidentified man was in stable condition.
“Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through the slide,” the Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement to PEOPLE.
