9 Questions for Kristin Chenoweth, Godmother of Quantum of the Seas

Kristin Chenoweth has done it all. The Emmy and Tony awards-winning performer wowed audiences on Broadway by starring in many shows, including “Wicked,” and received accolades for TV work on “Pushing Daisies” and “Glee.” She’s even played Carnegie Hall — twice. Next year, Chenoweth adds a new title to her stellar resumé: godmother of Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Quantum of the Seas.

Chenoweth is an ambassador for the ship and, since she has the energy and enthusiasm of a half dozen cruise directors put together, she’s a good one at that. So don’t be surprised if you see her onboard once the ship set sails in Fall 2014. But chances are she’ll be without a clipboard.

“I’m really hoping to be a part of the ship, not just as a spokesperson, but as a passenger,” Chenoweth explained when she chatted with us about her passion for travel: 

What do you like best about cruising?

I’ve never had the opportunity to go on a cruise. This spring will be my first time!

What’s your idea of a great vacation?

A perfect day on vacation is anywhere near the water. I love to be IN the sun, lying out by the ocean. I love to read and just relax. In my job, I’m always traveling, so I like to just veg out.

When you were a child, what kind of vacations did your family take?

One time, we took a road trip (a la “Vacation,” the movie). We went to the Grand Canyon. We got a flat tire, and my dad had to change it on the highway. It’s funny now, but then he wasn’t laughing.

You say you’re on the road a lot — have you gotten very good at packing?

Packing is always an issue for me. Most of the time, when I travel, I’m working. So I have to pack my costumes and props for the show. Then there’s all the shoes. (That’s my weakness.) I do like the expandable bags. Much easier for a return trip! LOL

What’s your best packing tip?

I always have a bigger mess returning home, which is why I keep my dirty clothes in a separate compartment — and a shrink-wrap bag. So it sucks the air out of the bag and takes up less room.

• Need help packing? Check out our top cruise packing list.

What’s your favorite cruise ship port?

New York is a melting pot of all types of people. I grew up in Oklahoma — which I’m very proud of and love — but there’s not a lot of diversity there. Here in New York, I’ve grown really accustomed to having friends from all different walks of life. And I appreciate that.

• Learn more about the New York cruise port.

Where do you like to go in New York?

I love Café Lalo. It’s very sentimental for me because I would go there when I had zero money. When I first moved to New York, my two roommates and I lived around the corner. We had a one-bedroom. Two people slept in the double bed, and we rotated. I was working at the Paper Mill Playhouse and was making a few hundred dollars a week. Once a week after the show on Saturday night, I would come back into the city and meet my roommates. I would save all my money, and we would have dessert at Café Lalo. Back then, that was a splurge. And when I think back to some of the happiest times I’ve had and where I was in my life, it’s there. I spent a lot of time at Café Lalo with my very closest friend, Denny. We would either get the German chocolate cake or the chocolate shake. And sometimes, he would get a pumpkin pie. Occasionally, I try to go there because it reminds me of that time.

Where else do you suggest cruisers go when they’re sailing out of New York?

As far as activities, I like going to the West Side Highway. And now there’s the whole pier. I like to put my headphones on and walk. It’s where I like to spend a lot of my alone time, especially when the weather is nice and I can just walk. The water is very, very calming to me. That’s why I like to go there. I usually start around 76th Street, and I can walk all the way down to 14th and come back. It’s a great walk. Walking is underrated as an exercise. And that view is beautiful.

• Check out The Best Things to do in New York before a cruise.

What’s your favorite time of year in the city?

Christmas time is very special. And whenever my family is in town, I still am a sucker for the Radio City Christmas show. I love it. The first time I saw it was probably 20 years ago. I thought I would never be tall enough to be a Rockette. But I could play one of the munchkins.