Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) named Cindy Cardella of Fairfield, NJ, the Godmother of its new "It" Girl, Norwegian Gem, during the ship's Christening ceremony held today in New York. Cindy was chosen by NCL and the public among five finalists vying for the Godmother crown following an online video contest hosted on www.gemitgirl.com. In addition to being named Norwegian Gem's Godmother, a position steeped in maritime tradition, she will receive a seven-day cruise in the ultra-luxurious 5,000-square-foot Garden Villa for her and five of her entourage.

"With this contest, we sought to reward our past guests with a once in a lifetime opportunity. Cindy received close to 10,000 votes from the public and was selected based on her ability to show how she embodies the attributes of NCL's hottest, hippest new ship, as well as the free spirit of NCL's Freestyle Cruising," said Colin Veitch, NCL Corporation's president and CEO.

The hour-long Christening ceremony held on board Norwegian Gem featured performances by Dem Boyz Step Team and the New York-based Luminescence Choir. In addition to comments from Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT Lim, NCL Corporation President and CEO Colin Veitch, all five finalist video entries were shown, along with the premiere of Norwegian Gem's movie-sode, "License to Thrill." Cindy was also given the honor of officially naming the ship and pulling the lever that released the bottle of champagne to christen the ship. The ceremony and movie-sode can be viewed online at www.gemitgirl.com.

In her video, entitled "Cindy will let you in on a secret," Cindy, 31, explains how she has cruised on NCL since childhood and highlights all of the places she has visited. Cindy has sailed with NCL on more than 30 cruises and is a stay at home mom in Fairfield, NJ, with three boys, ages five, three and five months. Her husband, David, joined her at the Christening ceremony.

"Freestyle Cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line is the only way to cruise and I am honored NCL and the public chose me as Godmother for this stunning new ship," said Cindy. "As Godmother of Norwegian Gem, I will continue living the 'It' Girl lifestyle of sophistication, independence, confidence, eagerness to explore new destinations and learn new things, glamour, style, and culture."

The contest, which began on Oct. 4, was an international search open to female residents of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada (void in the Province of Quebec), 18 years of age or older who have taken a cruise on NCL. On Dec. 16, NCL judges narrowed the search to five finalists, at which time the contest opened for public voting through Dec. 7. Along with Cindy, the other finalists were Lauren Kampf, 22, from Oakland, NJ; Shannon Maxey, 29, from Virginia Beach, VA; Louise Strong, 44, from South Hero, VT, and Mary O'Dea, 75, from Milford, PA.