Royal Caribbean International has launched a nationwide search for a British Godmother to reign over the cruise line’s newest and largest ship, Independence of the Seas, when she launches in Southampton, next month (April 2008).

Sir Steve Redgrave, five-time Olympic gold medallist and figurehead of the Steve Redgrave Fund, will front the cruise line’s search, working with ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial television station.

The company said it is seeking an ‘ordinary’ woman who can demonstrate how she has worked to improve the well-being and future of young people in her community.

All potential Godmothers must be nominated via a dedicated website http://www.searchforagodmother.co.uk. 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 special panel of judges including Royal Caribbean International executives, guest judges and Sir Steve Redgrave, will select the ships’ Godmother.