Royal Caribbean International has announced that internationally-acclaimed Chinese actress, Fan Bingbing, will be the Godmother for Ovation of the Seas.

The announcement was made by Zinan Liu, president, Royal Caribbean International - China and North Asia Pacific, at a press conference at the Great Hall of People in Beijing.

Bingbing is the first Chinese celebrity selected to be the Godmother of an international cruise line and will officially name Ovation of the Seas at the ship’s inaugural ceremony in Tianjin, China in June.

The second Quantum-class ship to be deployed in China will set off on a 52 day Global Odyssey tour to China on May 3rd.

Ovation of the Seas will then sail her inaugural season from Tianjin and a one-month mini season from Hong Kong before the ship repositions to its winter homeport in Australia in December 2016.

“We are delighted to welcome Fan Bingbing to the Royal Caribbean family as Ovation of the Seas’ godmother,” said Michael Bayley, president, 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.”

The role of Godmother is a lifetime title bestowed upon an individual, who figuratively presides over the ship and imparts good luck and divine protection over the vessel and all that sail aboard.

Traditionally, Godmothers have celebrity status or even royal connections.

Godmothers for Royal Caribbean ships have included performer Gloria Estefan, actress Jane Seymour, comedian/actress Whoopi Goldberg and tennis champion Steffi Graf.

Ovation and her sister ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas are both Quantum class ships built with the most advanced technologies.

Ovation of the Seas was officially delivered on April 8th.