Love on High Seas - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Christening by Champagne

 
The time they all spent on Ellis Island was fantastic. It had been a day none of them would ever forget. But just like everything else, it came to an end. Still, the end of something is the beginning of something new, and the beginning of something new is the end of something old... and for the Martin twins and their friends it was time for them to begin a new adventure, which would be their biggest ever.

At six o’clock in the morning, when the sun rose on the horizon, everything aboard the S.S. Tipton was ready to receive their first passengers. The ship was fully booked with more than 12000 passengers. The crew of more than 3850 was the best money could buy and anyone who would be working aboard the ship had every reason to be happy, after all, they would be working on the largest, fastest, most luxurious and prettiest cruise ship that ever sailed the 7 seas.

When the time came for the first passengers to embark through the hatchways, the two most important members of the crew would already be on board, making sure that the last minute details were dealt with, while supervising both the crew and the passengers. Those two crew members were none other than the captain himself, and of course, Marion Moseby. The former hotel manager of the Boston Tipton had been chosen by London herself to be the S.S. Tipton Cruise Manager for that first year. Initially he did not like the idea, mostly because he did not want to leave “his” precious hotel in the hands of someone else he thought was less capable than him for the work; but London begged him for nearly a week, and just as always, he ended up agreeing.

As he packed his things, he felt sad because he was going to leave the hotel which had been his life for the last two decades, even if it was just for a year. He was going to miss the smells, the noises and particularly the ambience. He would not miss the people he had working for him, or with him, mostly because most of them had also been transferred to that ship during the following year.

But now, as he walked by the still deserted Poseidon Deck’s grand staircase, one of the three grand staircases of that ship, which would in a few hours be filled with laughter, cries and footstep noise from the passengers, he told himself that this ship would be his new house during the next 10 months. That particular staircase was probably one of the most beautiful works of art in that ship. Made out entirely out of stone, the different colours of the stones made it look like a person had entered a royal palace. The floor was caramel-brown and the borders were milky-white, as for the stairway steps these were reddish-orange and the balustrade was also milky-white. Just like the rest of the deck, it was entirely polished and shiny, that you could see one’s reflection on it. On top of the staircase there was a set of three statues that represented the Poseidon, Hades and Zeus, gods of the sea, Underworld and Thunder respectively. The statues were gigantic, and had been sculpted to resemble the Renascence statues. As for the ceiling, it was beautiful dome similar to other domes seen in early 20th century cruise ships like the Olympic, the Titanic, among many others.    

Climbing up the staircase towards the main deck, he took a few minutes to look at his reflected image on one of the multiple mirrors that adorned the walls. He was wearing a navy blue blazer with the Tipton’s coat of arms in the lapel, over a white shirt, beige Bermuda shorts and black polished shoes. In his hands he was holding a list of activities that he was to announce later, when the ship would already be on open sea.        

“Well, Marion today is the big day. Time for us to prove to London that she chose the right person for the job.” –Moseby told himself, when he was interrupted by someone, who was calling his name.  

“Mr. Moseby! Mr. Moseby!” –Moseby heard someone calling his name. Turning around he saw who was calling his name. It was Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya de la Rosa Ramirez, or simply Esteban Ramirez as he liked to be called, the former bellman from the Boston Tipton. He had also been recruited by London and was made Moseby’s assistant, because Moseby himself could not find a better person for the job.

Esteban looked up to Moseby as a father figure, trying to learn as much as he could from him, for one of his wishes was to one day become a hotel manager just as Moseby. As for Moseby, he saw Esteban as a valuable employer, and someone he knew he could always trust, even though sometimes he tended to screw things up with his own antics. Still, he saw Esteban’s attempts to learn from him everything he could as a noble thing to do... sometimes he saw Esteban as the son he did not have. But, whenever he heard Esteban shouting his name, while running towards him as fast as he could, Moseby knew there was a problem.

“Yes, Esteban?” –Moseby calmly asked him. On that day, he did not want to lose his temper, for he wanted to remember this day as an occasion where he had managed to solve any problem without losing his head. He looked at Esteban and saw that he was dressed in a similar way to him; the only difference was that he was wearing white sneakers, and instead of a blazer, he was wearing a polo shirt.

“Mr. Moseby, the couple that was going to stay on the Liberty Suite on the Mermaid Deck called just a few minutes ago and cancelled because of some misfortune, and God know how, people found out and now I have at least five couples who are travelling with us, saying that they had made clear that if there was any last minute dropouts regarding any of the main suites, they wanted to have it... but how can I chose which one of the couples is entitled to that particular suite?!” –Esteban asked Moseby, clearly in despair.

“Esteban, Esteban... calm down. Take a deep breath and try to relax.” –Moseby told him with a soothing voice, trying to calm him down. When Esteban looked a little more relaxed, Moseby looked him in the eyes and said:

“Now, Esteban... having worked with me these last years, what is it that I always tell you?”

“That I shouldn’t eat jalapenos and mushroom sandwich because I start burping like crazy?” –Esteban told him, not knowing if that was the answer Moseby wanted to hear from him.

“No... The customer is always right!” –Moseby exclaimed. –“Remember, the customer is always right. It is our job to make sure that every customer, or in this case, passenger is satisfied. Now, the problem you have is very simple... follow the procedure, just like we did back at the Tipton in Boston; check the reservations, and the couple who made the reservation first and signed the papers saying that in case of a last minute dropout they would want the suite, gets it. As for the other couples, tell them that suite has already been occupied and send them a complimentary fruit basket to their respective rooms.”

“Yes, Mr. Moseby, right away sir.” –Esteban said, relieved to find out that the answer to his problem was really simple. –“Oh, one more thing, Mr. Moseby, when will the passengers start to board?”

“In exactly two hours.” –Moseby told him, as he looked at his watch. –“By the way, do you know if Arwin has already finished doing what I asked him to do?” –he asked, seeing as he had given a task to him three days ago, and still had not heard a word from him since then.

“Oh, he’s almost finishing it. Don’t worry, everything will be ready on time.” –Esteban answered him.

Outside, the media had been camped on the limits of the docks ever since the ship arrived, and during that time they had snapped all the photos they could, but they had not been authorized to see the interior of the ship. Now that the passengers were about to climb aboard, while interviewing some of them, they would have their first opportunity to see just how magnificent the interior of that colossus was.

On the cargo hold, the crew made sure that the cargo was all aboard. Among the things the ship would be carrying, the most amazing of them all was one of the most luxurious car collections ever assembled that was owned by none other than London, who had decided that she would need a car for each occasion.

When the clock stroke 9, the whole Tipton gang exited the hotel on their way to the docks. They were all excited to see just how the interior of the ship looked like when finished, and to start their trip around the world. Divided into four different limousines riding in a convoy, they all crossed the island of Manhattan towards the harbor. The Fitzpatricks were all, minus Maddie and Miranda, on the first limo, while on the second Limo were Zack and Cody, their mother Carrie and their girlfriends, Max and Barbara and their parents, who had taken the day from work to come and wish their respective daughter a safe trip. On the third limo were Mark, his father Stephen, and Anastasia and her mother Felicia. Finally, on the fourth limo were London, Maddie and their mothers, Akita and Miranda. As always, the traffic was a complete madness, and the cab drivers did not help. Still, the limo drivers were used to that New York City traffic and knew every street on that island, and which shortcut they should take in order to get to their destination.

As they closed to the harbor, But before they could board the ship, London still had to christen the ship. Initially it was supposed to be her father to do it, given that he was the CEO of Tipton Industries. But when they were already in limo, London got a call from him, who told her that because of a sudden storm that was lashing the skies of San Francisco, he would not be able to take off and arrive on time. That said, she would have to be the one to baptize the ship.

“Dad’s always doing this!” –London sighed in frustration. –“Every time I need him, he’s never around! I bet he’s even going to send me some stupid jewellery to apologize for not being here... again.”

Those who did not know London would say that she was angry and furious about all that. But in reality, she was disappointed and sad about it, and Maddie knew it. Putting her left arm around her waist, Maddie let the heiress place her head on her shoulder.

“Princess, you can’t blame him this time. He might be one of the most powerful men in the world, but not even he is able to control the weather.” –Maddie told her, as she kissed London on her forehead.

“Yeah, I know... but he could have come to New York earlier. That way he wouldn’t have been stuck in San Francisco, and I wouldn’t have to replace him.” –London pouted.

“Remember, he’s a very busy man, but he’s also kind and attentive, otherwise he wouldn’t let you date me.” –Maddie told her, as she caressed London’s chin.

“You’re girlfriend is right, pumpkin.” –Akita agreed. –“Your father is probably cursing himself right now for not being able to be here to wish you a safe trip. Believe me, I know him.”

London just smiled. She knew her mother and her girlfriend were right. The few times her father had been with her he showed that he was sorry he was not always there for her. Trying not to think about it, she concentrated on what she was going to say when it was time to christen the ship.

Usually, when she needed to give a speech, someone would write it for her, and London would just need to read it. But, in emergency cases, she came up with speeches based on multiple factors. It was something that she did ever since she was 10, but Maddie had helped her improve that special talent of hers. She would look at what she was dressed in, where she was going to talk and what kind of people would be hearing her. Combining those elements, she could come up with small speeches that could be said just about on any occasion.

Looking at herself and to Maddie, she immediately began to make use of that talent of hers: she was wearing a pink and white sundress and white sandals. As for Maddie, she was wearing an orange and yellow summer dress and white Mary-Janes. They were going to christen a cruise ship and then she was going to talk to a bunch of reporters, as well as some passengers. As she finished thinking about it, the whole speech just popped in her head.

“I’m such a genius!” –London told herself, as her smile broadened. Upon seeing her smiling like that, Maddie could not help but to ask her what was she thinking about?

“What are you thinking about?

“Oh, nothing... I was just wondering, would you like to baptize the ship with me? I never did anything like that in my life, and I don’t exactly know what I’m supposed to do.” –London asked Maddie.

“Sure, if you want to.” –Maddie immediately answered. –“But, it shouldn’t be that hard. I mean, you only have to say a few words and then slam a champagne bottle against the ship’s hull.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right... but now that I think of it, why should we even waste a good champagne bottle on that ceremony?”

“Because it’s a custom.” –Miranda answered her. Maddie’s mom had been quiet ever since they left the hotel, and these were the first words she said. –“For example, ship launching participants in ancient Greece wreathed their heads with olive branches, drank wine to honour the gods, and poured water on the new vessel as a symbol of blessing. The practice of breaking a bottle of wine over a ship's bow was introduced by the British navy in the late 17th century as a cost saving measure! Previously the ships were baptized with a "standing cup" of precious metal, which was then promptly thrown overboard. The rapid production of ships during the height of the British Empire put an end to that. ...” –she kept explaining. When Miranda looked at the girls they were both eyes open and their jaws dropped, looking at her as if they had both seen a creature from another world. – “What? You know that I like to watch the Discovery Channel or the History Channel when there’s nothing good on television.”

This comment made the girls laugh like crazy, and their mothers soon followed them. In an instant the limousine’s interior became filled with laughter. When the laughter ceased, London grabbed her cell phone and began searching on the Internet for speeches used in ship’s christenings... the last thing she wanted was to not know what to say as she performed the ceremony.

Finally, they made it to the harbor. The ship was easily recognized not only by her size but also because of its gleaming white and electric-blue colours. Looking at through the smoked windows, it was as if a person was looking at a huge shiny diamond that had just been polished.

The people all gathered on the docks to see the ship and also to say farewell to family or friends that were embarking. The security was tight and before they could enter the pier where the ship was docked the police inspected every last person, trying to avoid any kind of trouble. The last thing people needed was a man or a woman with a pistol or a revolver trying to shoot somebody, or with a knife. People complained about it, but ever since 9/11 this was standard procedure on this kind of events.    

Making its way through the crowd that was there, the limo drivers had to horn a couple of times for the people to get out of the way. Finally, they stopped near the ship’s bow where a small stage had been assembled. It was there where the London and Maddie would christen the ship by breaking a champagne bottle against it.

London grabbed her cell phone and texted the rest of the gang as well as Liam and Genevieve on the other limos, telling them to order the drivers to stop, because she wanted them with her and Maddie upon the christen ceremony. As soon as they received the message, they did as she told them, and the remaining limos stopped in front of the stage.

After the drivers opened the door for them, everyone exited and joined the girls who were waiting for them next to their limousine. The heiress had decided that having Maddie next to her was not enough and that their friends and respective families had also the right to be next to them; after all, they too had played an important part in the construction of that ship and the planning of that voyage... their friendship was the main reason, right after her love for Maddie, for that voyage to happen.

Photographers were all snapping photos at them all. Zack felt like a Hollywood superstar with so many eyes looking at him. As for Cody, unlike his brother, he tried to behave like always. Looking at them, the photographers and paparazzi that had recognize them as the twins that were always hanging with London, though they could not tell them apart for Carey had dressed them equally. They were both wearing orange Bermuda shorts, red t-shirts and black and red sneakers. As for Carey, she was wearing a lime-green summer jacket over a black strapless shirt, white Capri pants and green sandals.    

Barbara looked dazzling in her baby-blue summer dress and matching shoes. She had even changed her glasses’ rim to match the rest of her clothes. As for Max, she had chosen a more sportive look. She was wearing a black tank top, a red and orange A-line skirt and red and white sneakers.

Following them were Mark and his dad Stephen, Anastasia and her mom Felicia. Mark was wearing one of his trademarked t-shirts, a red one with the Adidas logo stamped on it, blue jean shorts, black sunglasses and red Converse Alls. Stephen, on the other hand was looking a little more festive than his son, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, grey trousers, black leather shoes and a pair of sunglasses; in fact, he looked like one of those detectives you see on series such as Hawaii-o-Five or Miami Vice.

But when it came to clothing, Anastasia was certainly the one who stood out from everyone else. She was wearing a black corset which tightened her waist and her chest making her waist look smaller and her breasts bigger, a black leather skirt, leather gloves, fishnet stockings and high-heel boots. In her hands she was holding a black lace Goth umbrella. Her raven-black hair was done in two beautiful pigtails, and her pale complexion was even more emphasized by the red-ruby lipstick she was wearing. She was incredibly beautiful. In fact when looking at her you could almost say that her unique look was the combination of the looks from Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice, Abby Sciuto from NCIS and Queen Amidala from Star Wars.

Compared to her daughter, Felicia, who was wearing a simple green summer dress, looked rather simple. In fact, no one would say that the two of them were related in any way.                          

Making their way over the red carpet, they all joined the girls and their mothers, and then proceeded to climb the stage, where two persons were waiting for them. One of them was Moseby, who was incredibly happy to see them all, and the other was none other than His Honor, the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg.

Upon seeing him, London just wanted to give Moseby a big hug and tell him that she had missed not having him around to lecture her or to point her in the right direction when she did not know what to do. But because they were in public, she restrained herself. Still, she winked an eye at him, and Moseby smiled at her. As everyone got on the stage, Mayor Bloomberg approached London and like a true gentleman, he kissed her hand, and then proceeded to do the same with Maddie and their mothers, as well as the rest of the girls and women, while shaking hands with the boys and the men.

“Miss Tipton, I have to say it’s an honour to meet you, your mother, your girlfriend, as well as her family and your friends.” –Mayor Bloomberg stated.

“The pleasure is all ours, Mr. Mayor.” –London declared.

“Mr. Moseby has already told me that you’ll be the one to christen this magnificent ship. In the name of city of New York, I thank you for choosing this town to be the one to witness the departure of the S.S. Tipton on its maiden voyage.”

“Yes, well, we chose the city given its History and because it’s also a beautiful city. But I’m afraid that I’m not only own who’s going to christen this ship… we all are going to.”

The whole group was speechless. How was she going to do that? Maddie herself asked that same question, regarding that it was impossible for them all to hold the bottle at the same time and smash it against the ship’s bow.

“Huh, London… how are you going to do that?” –Moseby whispered to her ear.

“Simple… we’ll all sign the bottle, then we tight it to a rope and me Maddie will smash it together. That way, every one of us will be able to christen it.” –London smiled as she explained her plan.

“Well… I guess it’s a way to do things.” –Moseby asserted.

“I say that is a wonderful idea.” –Mayor Bloomberg also agreed. –“Not only are you pretty, but you’re also a smart young lady.” –he chuckled.

“Well, if that how it’s going to be, we better have the champagne bottle signed…” –Moseby said, as he grabbed a walkie-talkie he had on his back pocket. –“Esteban, where is that champagne bottle?” –he asked, waiting for the answer from Esteban.

“It’s coming, Mr. Moseby… it’s coming!” –Esteban answered over the walkie-talkie.

A couple of seconds later, Esteban appeared, climbing the stage stairs as fast as he could, holding the six-liter bottle on his hands, and his walkie-talkie on his teeth. Passing by everyone, as he was about to handle the bottle to Moseby, he slips on a cable and drops to the ground, letting go the bottle in the process. What happened next was something that seemed only possible in movies. It was as if everything began to move in slow-motion. Moseby tried to grab it, but missed it. London also tried to catch it, but was unable to do it… then, out of nowhere, Max shows up, having threw herself to the ground, she landed on her back and grabbed the bottle just as it was about to hit the ground.

Helping her out, they all congratulated her, as everyone snapped photos. It had been quite the feat, and only someone as athletic as Max would have been able.

“Nice work, Max!” –Maddie told the girl, as she helped her getting up.

“Thanks, Maddie.” –Max said, as she handled the champagne bottle to Moseby. Then she turned to her mom and said –“See mom? This is why I don’t wear dresses! You can’t do what I just did while wearing a fancy dress.” –Max stated, to her mother, who was always trying to get her into dresses and make her act more lady-like, something Max just hated.

Everyone just cracked up laughing for a brief second.

“Thank God you have such swift moves, Max, otherwise we wouldn’t have this bottle here, now would we, Esteban?” –Moseby said, as he looked at Esteban, clearly upset with him.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Moseby…” –Esteban apologized.

“Never mind that, Esteban. What’s important is that the bottle didn’t break.” –Maddie stated the obvious.  

After that, they all proceeded to sign the bottle, which would have been an impossible task, if Stephen did not have a pen with him, for no one else had one.  

“I always carry a pen wherever I go. You never know when you’re going to need one.” –he said, as he handled them the pen.

The bottle was a very expensive one. In fact it was the most expensive champagne in the world; a six-liter bottle of 1907 Heidsieck, which was worth 275,000 dollars. It would be a real waste to smash it against the ship, but the ship deserved no less.  London and Maddie were the first ones to do so, and then the rest of them also did the same. Mayor Bloomberg was the last to sign and then handled it to London.

“Okay, Esteban, be very careful and take it to the poop deck, wrap a rope around it and then slide it down very slowly, okay?” –London explained him what to do.

“Yes, Miss Tipton.” –Esteban waved his head, as he received the bottle from the heiress.

“And be careful with it… if you break it, it will come out from your salary for the next 100 years.” –Moseby warned him                                                                  

“Y-Yes Mr. Moseby.” –Esteban gulped, knowing that Moseby did not kid around when he issued those warnings.

Taking it with him, it would take at least 15 minutes for Esteban to complete the task he had been given. That would give London enough time to give out a small speech and to answer a few questions from the media.
Signaling Moseby that she was ready to start the speech, he handled a microphone to her and another to the mayor. Taking a deep breath, she looked once more to Maddie who winked at her, wishing her good luck, and then began:

“Good morning everyone! I know that most of you were expecting my father, Wilfred Tipton to be the one here today, but due to unforeseen events, he won’t be able to join us.” –London talked to the microphone. –“Anyways, I want to thank you all for coming, especially to His Honor, the Mayor of New York City for being here, because on this day, History will be made. Today this which is the largest and most luxurious cruise liner ever built by Man will departure on its maiden voyage around the world. Still, the S.S. Tipton is not just a cruise liner for the famous and for those who have the money to make such a trip; it is also a school. Some of country’s top students, as well as a few foreigner students will attend a school which was created with one purpose and one purpose only: to stimulate learning and provide the students that will be attending it, a chance to get to know foreign countries and to know about their customs, their religious beliefs, their culture… in sum, to learn about our world, while experience things first hand. It is my wish that one day every single student in the world might have the opportunity to experience school in the same way these students.”

The sound of applauses was heard for a brief second, before London went on with her speech. The reporters and the journalists wanted to start asking questions, and she knew it… she could see it in their eyes. The only thing that would make that even clearer was if they began all to salivate like a dog, when it sees a juicy steak. Still, she would not be answering questions just yet.

“Ever since this ship arrived to this harbor, many have speculated why the secrecy; why Tipton Hotels and Tipton Industries did not publicized it… well, I might as well tell you. I wanted to surprise my girlfriend and my friends by taking them on this cruise, and you can all imagine that it’s impossible for me to keep a ship this size in my pockets.” –she joked about it. –“So, there you have it… this ship, as well as the cruise started as a surprise for those I love the most, but ended becoming so much more than that. It became my contribution to students everywhere, hoping that one day this dream and wish of mine for every student to have the chance of having a better education and to come into contact with different cultures and lifestyles, and by that, becoming better people, with a better understanding of our world, becomes reality.”

Another wave of applauses was heard, this one a lot louder than the previous. As that sound faded, Moseby stepped forward and announced that London would now be answering a few questions, before the ship’s christening. He needed to give time for Esteban to complete his task of tying the champagne bottle to a rope and lower it.
One by one, London answered a few questions.

“Just how many passengers will take this cruise?” –a male reporter who was covering the story for CNN asked her.

“I don’t have the exact number, but I can tell you that there will be more than 12000 passengers, not including the ship’s crew of course. In fact, I’m surprised we’re fully booked.” –she giggled about it.        

“Miss Tipton, what it is the name of the school aboard the ship and how many students will be attending it?” –a female reporter asked the brunette.

“The school’s name is Tipton High Seas School, and it will have 2500 American students attending it, as well as 1000 foreign students, which will join us later on the voyage.” –London answered.

“Given that the S.S. Tipton is the largest and most luxurious cruise ship ever built, and this is its maiden voyage, aren’t you a little nervous about the famous Titanic curse?”
The curse the woman was referring to was obviously the one surrounding the famous ship, which sank after hitting an iceberg. Ever since then, people assumed that during their maiden voyage, all cruise liners were under the curse of the Titanic, and until they reached the end of it, the curse and spectre of what happened would always be hovering in the air.

“Not at all.” –London declared. –“The ship is equipped with the most sophisticated technology and safety equipment, not mention that the crew is composed by some of the most skilled professionals there are. Plus, I won’t say that the ship is unsinkable or that not even God could sink it.” –she joked about the last part.

As London kept answering a few more questions, on top of the ship’s bow, Esteban had finally managed to find a rope in order to tight around the bottleneck. Giving a nice and firm knot, he then grabbed the other end of the rope and proceeded to tight around the railing.

“There… now for the worst part.” –Esteban gulped, as he began to silently pray to himself–“Please, Holy Virgin of Sierra Malograda, don’t let me drop this bottle, and I promise that I’ll light up a candle in your honour, every night until the end of this journey.”

Grabbing the bottle he passed it to the other side of the railing, and then began to drop it very slowly, so as to not hit the ship. After almost five minutes, the bottle finally reached its destination. Moseby grabbed the bottle and signaled Esteban, telling him that everything was right.

Esteban sighed in relief, when he saw Moseby signaling him that everything was right.

“London… the bottle is ready.” –Moseby whispered to her.
Hearing that, London decided that she had answered enough questions regarding both the subject of the ship and of her relationship with Maddie, and that it was time for the christening of the ship. She did not want to answer questions regarding that last subject, for multiple reasons, but mostly because she did not feel like telling people the details of their relationship. As she grabbed the bottle, she did her best to remove those thoughts out her mind. It was not healthy for her to think about those things, she told herself.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the christening of the beautiful ship, to which I ask the love of my life, Madeline Fitzpatrick to join me.” –London exclaimed, as Maddie approached her. –“Ready to do this, Blondie?” –she whispered to Maddie’s ear.

“I was born ready, Princess.” –Maddie whispered back to London’s ear, as they both grabbed the bottle.

Photographers readied their cameras to snap a perfect photograph, as London and Maddie also readied themselves to break the champagne bottle. Among those who were about to snap photos were Carey and Miranda, as well as just about anyone who had a cell phone. At the same time, they began to serve champagne glasses to those on the stage. Zack and Cody also grabbed one each, even knowing they were not very fond of champagne, especially Zack.

“Try not to throw up, okay?” –Cody told Zack; reminding him what had happened the last time he tried to drink a champagne glass.

“I didn’t throw up last time.” –Zack said in his defense.

“No, but you nearly did, so that’s why you have to be careful.” –Cody smirked at him. It was times like this that he loved to be his brother’s babysitter, because he got to tell him what he should and shouldn’t do.    

London and Maddie were the last ones to be grab a glass. When they saw that everyone had been served, London began a speech she had seen on the Internet.

“For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them "she." To them we toast, and ask to celebrate the S.S. Tipton.” –she said as she took a small sip, with everyone else mimicked her. –“The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on. The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.”
She raised her glass once again, as the others mimicked her once again. –“Today we come to name this lady, the S.S. Tipton, and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for the all her passengers. We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept the S.S Tipton as her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return with her crew safely." –London declared, as she again, raised her glass, and everyone mimicking the heiress."TO THE SEA...TO THE SAILORS BEFORE US...TO THE S.S. TIPTON!"

As she finished, she winked her eye at Maddie, signaling her that it was time for smashing the bottle.

“Well, there’s only one last thing to do… Have a drink you too, fair maiden!” –London giggled, as the girls both threw the bottle against the bow.
It is considered bad luck for a ship if the bottle does not break upon the first hit. Fortunately for the S.S. Tipton, that did not happen. The strength they both used was enough for the champagne bottle to break into tiny little bits which then fell onto the Hudson. The golden champagne splashed against the white bow, with a few drops ricocheting and landing on their faces. Seeing that, London and Maddie turned around to the cameras and shared a kiss, with the audience applauding them. The noise of the applauses was only interrupted by the sound of camera flashes and whistles.