Royal Caribbean International has launched a search for a British godmother to christen the 160,000-ton Independence of the Seas in Southampton in April 2008. The vessel will be the largest cruise ship every homeported in Europe. Sir Steve Redgrave, five-time Olympic gold medalist, will front the cruise line's search for the godmother. Nominations are being accepted in conjunction with ITV, a U.K. television station. The role of a Godmother is typically reserved for dignitaries or celebrities. Past Royal Caribbean godmothers have included Queen Sonja of Norway, Lauren Bacall, Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan, Steffi Graff and champion wheelchair marathoner Jean Driscoll.

Royal Caribbean is seeking an ordinary British woman who has done extraordinary things. This godmother "will 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." Potential godmothers must be nominated via a dedicated website at 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. A panel of judges including Royal Caribbean executives, guest judges and Redgrave will select the ships' Godmother. The godmother will have a formal portrait of herself displayed onboard the new ship and will fill an honorary role in the ship-naming ceremonies, including participation in the ribbon-cutting and sailing on the inaugural voyage. She also will receive a decade of cruising for two with Royal Caribbean International.