"an ordinary British woman who has done extraordinary things"
Royal Caribbean International have launched a search for a British Godmother to reign over the cruise line’s newest and largest ship, Independence of the Seas.
The vessel launches in Southampton this month.
Sir Steve Redgrave, five-time Olympic gold medalist and figurehead of the Steve Redgrave Fund, will front the search.
The role of a Godmother is typically reserved for dignitaries or celebrities.
Past Royal Caribbean Godmothers have included Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway, Lauren Bacall, Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan, Steffi Graff and champion wheelchair marathoner Jean Driscoll.
However, this time Royal Caribbean are calling for “an ordinary British woman who has done extraordinary things”.
The candidate will be able to demonstrate “how she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and dedicated incredible time and effort to improve the well-being and future of young people under 18 years old in her community”.
To enter, applicants must explain in 250 words or less why they, or someone they know, would be the ideal Godmother for Independence of the Seas.
A panel of judges including Royal Caribbean International executives, guest judges and Sir Steve Redgrave, will select the ships’ Godmother.
Sir Steve says: “This a very special ship and therefore this is an amazing accolade for anyone to receive, but the opportunity to increase awareness of the fantastic work with young people that is done by hundreds of individuals around the country is a very worthy campaign, which I am delighted to support.”
In addition to being godmother to Independence of the Seas, where she will have a formal portrait of herself displayed onboard the new ship, the woman selected will receive an honorary role in the official ship naming ceremonies, including participation in the ribbon-cutting and a VIP experience onboard Independence of the Seas’ inaugural voyage.
She also will receive a decade of cruising for two with Royal Caribbean International.
