Four finalists in the search to find a godmother for Royal Caribbean International’s new ship Independence of the Seas are due to be revealed on Friday.
More than 1,700 nominations have been received from women keen to take on the role following a nationwide campaign. Of these, a shortlist of 88 was selected, before it was whittled down to four finalists.
Next week the finalists are due to fly out to Turku to meet Royal Caribbean Cruise Line chairman, chief executive and director, Richard Fain, and have a tour of the ship.
The finalists then return to the UK for face-to-face interviews with the judging panel.
The panel consists of Travel Weekly columnist Maureen Hill, Richard Fain Royal Caribbean International president Adam Goldstein, Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, Royal Caribbean Cruises senior vice-president and managing director Europe, Middle East and Africa Susan Hooper vice-president, corporate communications Lynn Martenstein and Royal Caribbean International regional vice-president and commercial director, EMEA, Sarah Newman.
The winner will be announced on April 18.