Disney Refuses to Use Gendered Language In Naming Robert Downey Jr. “Godparent” of Disney Adventure

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Robert Downey Jr., the Academy Award winner, will be the official godparent of Disney Adventure, Disney Cruise Line’s biggest ship. This news was shared just weeks before the ship begins its first voyage from Singapore on March 10, 2026.

But not the godfather. The gender-neutral terms was used across several announcements.

Disney Cruise Line announced that Robert Downey Jr. will be the godparent of their newest ship, noting his significant impact on the Disney franchise and modern cinema. Josh D’Amaro, a Disney executive who will soon be CEO, made the announcement.

Disney Cruise Line is known for bringing beloved stories to life on its ships, and we’re thrilled to continue that tradition with the Disney Adventure. We’re especially excited to have Robert Downey Jr., a master storyteller from the Marvel universe, as the ship’s official godparent,” said D’Amaro.

It was such an honor to hear Robert Downey Jr. speak at the naming ceremony! He really captured the feeling everyone had about the new Disney Adventure. He said it’s impossible to truly describe how amazing the ship is, and he felt incredibly privileged to be its godfather. Knowing it’s the biggest ship Disney has ever built, he promised to do everything he could to bring it good luck – he said he’d ‘do his darndest,’ which I thought was a really sweet touch.

The Disney Adventure will accommodate around 6,700 passengers and 2,500 crew members. It will be designed with several areas themed around Marvel characters and experiences, including a first-at-sea roller coaster within the ‘Marvel Landing’ area. This ship is a key part of Disney Cruise Line’s plans for growth.

Broader Cultural Conversations Around Corporate Language

Disney consistently uses the term “godparent” instead of separate terms like “godfather” or “godmother,” which reflects a larger trend of companies and brands adopting gender-neutral language in their public messaging.

Naming a ship’s sponsor is a time-honored maritime practice meant to bring good luck before its maiden voyage. Traditionally, this person is called a godmother or godfather. Historically, godmothers were usually well-known women, such as the wives or daughters of naval officers, shipbuilders, or important politicians. While less common, men have also served as ship sponsors, known as godfathers. These male sponsors were typically chosen for ships with military or corporate importance, or if the individual was a prominent public figure.

As a longtime Disney fan, I’ve noticed they’ve been getting a lot of attention lately – and not always for the best reasons. It seems like every time they try something new with Disney+ shows or talk about making things more diverse behind the scenes, it sparks a big debate. It’s definitely been interesting – and a little frustrating – to watch as different groups of viewers react so strongly to the changes.

We’re seeing more representation of diverse families and identities in children’s media, like shows featuring same-sex parents and characters who aren’t defined by a specific gender, such as Raine Whispers in The Owl House and Lake Ripple in Elemental.

Using this gender-neutral language appears to be another way Disney is moving away from traditional family portrayals, aiming to connect with a more contemporary audience.

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2026-02-26 19:56