Throwback Thursday: Mary Tyler Moore Was Crystal Cruises’ First Godmother

Beloved award-winning actress Mary Tyler Moore passed away yesterday at the age of 80, but what you might not know is that she was actually Crystal Cruises’ very first godmother, having christened the luxury line’s original Crystal Harmony.

Most recognize Moore for her work primarily on the titular sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” which ran from 1970 to 1977 and “The Dick Van Dyke Show" before that, or her film roles in the likes of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Ordinary People." However, it was in 1990 that she named the Crystal Harmony, the very same year my parents and I first sailed on the line and her honorary godchild.

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In fact, we were aboard for the inaugural sailing of Crystal from San Francisco, California well before its current rapid expansion, and Moore was on the Harmony with us. I was a little too young then to recall seeing her myself, but my folks certainly recall the experience.

My mother, Darlene Leppert, remembers, “Meeting Mary Tyler Moore on the Crystal Harmony was quite a thrill. It added to the excitement of the first Crystal Harmony cruise. She was a very sweet lady. She was enjoying time on the ship with her husband as she was the godmother of that ship. She really enjoyed interacting with all the passengers and was very accessible to them all.”

Since she had already christened the ship, she was just along for the ride, enjoying it as a passenger and not lecturing or performing at all, but she did return to the Crystal Harmony for its final season with the line in 2005.

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A special October sailing that year embarked on a 10-day Mexican Riviera route featuring Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and even my homeport of San Diego roundtrip from Los Angeles, and Moore was aboard to pay tribute to her ship. During her time on the voyage, she engaged with guests during a question and answer session about her career and charity work.

In a press release originally announcing her presence on the ship, then Crystal Cruises President Gregg Michel, who himself attended the original christening, said, “Mary Tyler Moore launched Crystal Harmony with an elegance and warmth that to this day are hallmarks of our ship's luxury experience. We are honored that she is coming back to cruise aboard Crystal Harmony during her farewell season. As a tremendously accomplished actress, Ms. Moore should be very proud of the critical acclaim and guest satisfaction 'her ship' has enjoyed for so many years.”

Shortly following the sailing, the 940-guest, 50,000-ton ship was transferred to Crystal’s former parent company Nippon Yusen Kaisha where it continues to operate as the Asuka II to this day. The Crystal Harmony may no longer exist in its original form, but the Crystal legacy remains strong with its other ocean ships—the Angela Lansbury-christened Crystal Symphony and Julie Andrews-christened Crystal Serenity.

Edie Rodriguez, Chairman, CEO and President, Crystal also today added, "The Crystal Family lost a dear member yesterday with the passing of Mary Tyler Moore. Besides being an icon of stage and screen for more than five decades, Ms. Moore was the godmother of our first stunning ship, Crystal Harmony. In 1990, she christened what would become the start of a celebrated reign as the world’s most luxurious travel experiences at sea, and joined the Crystal family forever. Though Crystal Harmony is now retired from our fleet, she, like Mary Tyler Moore, has left a glorious legacy. As Crystal moves forward toward an extraordinary future, we always reflect at the things and people who paved the way for our success. Ms. Moore was a lady of grace, talent and spirit, and was the ideal representative for the Crystal brand. She will be greatly missed."

Mary Tyler Moore may no longer be with us, but her spirit lives on at sea.

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