Thomson agent Emma Wilby has won the competition to be godmother of Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas, which launches this month.
The line sought an agent who could not only sing at the naming ceremony but also be an ambassador for the 4,180-passenger ship.
Entrants were invited to submit short clips of them singing.
Royal Caribbean’s panel of judges, which included Travel Weekly editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley, shortlisted four hopefuls: Mecia Holden of Colchester Travel, and Katie Briggs, Michaela Masterton and Wilby, who all work for Thomson.
Wilby, who works in Thomson’s Elgin branch in northern Scotland, says she’s always had a passion for singing.
She says she often finds herself humming along to a tune and she’s also part of the Kinloss Military Choir.
As part of her duty, Wilby will sing Katy Perry’s hit Firework at the naming ceremony of Anthem of the Seas this month.
Her prize includes vocal training and a makeover. Wilby has also won a cruise on Anthem of the Seas for two people and she will perform again at Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards in London in July.
“I still can’t quite believe I’ve won,” she said. “My first reaction when I was told was sheer disbelief.”
Wilby applied for the godmother competition after her colleagues saw a Royal Caribbean advertisement in Travel Weekly.
“I decided to go for it,” she said. “The next thing I knew, I’d been shortlisted, and the following day I was being flown down to London for the auditions.
“The other three finalists were all so talented and lovely.
“I couldn’t believe I’d won. I know the role is about far more than singing at the launch; it’s also about being an ambassador for the brand. I’m really honoured to have been chosen.”
Wilby, who is originally from Sunderland, is also a qualified drama therapist and taught science. However, after tying the knot last year with her partner Stephen, a royal engineer in the military, she moved to northern Scotland.
“I’m a military wife so I moved to Scotland last year and at the same time I also wanted to start a new career, something with a different pace. I’ve always loved travelling and I thought being a travel agent would be the right move for me.”
The three runners-up will also be invited to the launch of Anthem of the Seas in Southampton.