IT IS an honour usually bestowed upon dignitaries and celebrities, but now a nationwide search has been launched to find an unsung hero to reign as Godmother over the world's newest and largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean International is calling for an ordinary British woman who has done extraordinary things to be Godmother to the Independence of the Seas.

Ship christenings can be traced back to the early 1400s and past Royal Caribbean Godmothers have included Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway, actress Whoopi Goldberg, pop star Gloria Estefan and tennis ace Steffi Graff.

The person chosen to be Godmother to the Indepen-dence of the Seas must demonstrate how she has gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the future of young people in her community.

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave is fronting the search for the new Godmother.

"It is an honour to be working with Royal Caribbean Inter-national in their search for a deserving woman to become Godmother for Indepen-dence of the Seas," Sir Steve said.

"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."

The wow-factor packed ship boasts a 43ft high rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, waterpark, theatre and even a full-size boxing ring.

The Godmother will have a formal portrait of herself displayed onboard the new ship and have 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 will also receive a decade of cruising for two with Royal Caribbean International.