Chinese film star to be godmother of Ovation

Royal Caribbean International has announced that Fan Bingbing, the Chinese film star, will be godmother of Ovation of the Seas.  

Dr Zinan Liu, Royal Caribbean’s president of China and North Asia Pacific, made the announcement at a press conference at the Great Hall of People in Beijing.

Ovation of the Seas will arrive in China after undertaking a 52-night Global Odyssey tour on May 3. The ship will be based in Tianjin, taking a month out in Hong Kong, before home-porting in Australia for the winter.

“We are delighted to welcome Fan Bingbing to the Royal Caribbean family as Ovation of the Seas’ godmother,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Bingbing is number one on the Forbes China ‘Celebrity 100’ list and has held that top position for three years making her one of the most influential Chinese stars in the world. She has received awards from many international film festivals and is recognised as a fashion icon for her extraordinary style on red carpets and at movie premieres and iconic fashion events.  She is innovative, smart, ambitious, trendy and elegant, and that makes Bingbing the perfect person to be selected as the Godmother of our newest ship.”

Fan Bingbing who has been in films including X-Men, said: “My father was a singer in the art troupe of the Political Department of the Navy in China. My childhood was filled with the melodies of the sea and I often dreamed about sailing out to sea for an adventure.

“Now, thanks to this invitation from Royal Caribbean, my dreams will come true. I am really honoured to be the first Godmother of Chinese nationality for such a prestigious international cruise line as Royal Caribbean International. And I like the name of Ovation of the Seas which in Chinese is interpreted as ‘praising the world and welcoming guests from everywhere’. As Godmother of Ovation of the Seas, I would like to invite more international guests to cruise from China on Ovation of the Seas.”