• Unique, honorary roles; home based with required European travel on select waterways
• Must be available to officially christen two river cruise ships on 23rd March 2020
• Applicants should have an explorer’s mindset and an appetite to discover new things
• For full details of the role and to apply see here – https://www.tui.co.uk/river-cruises/godparents
• applications must be submitted by 25th February 2020

There is a long standing ancient maritime custom of appointing Godparents to bring good luck and protection to new ships and they are often chosen for qualities that mirror the spirit of the ships they represent. The two TUI River Cruise Godparents will be part of an exclusive circle and hold the title for life, joining high profile Godmothers within the cruise industry including The Duchess of Cambridge and Dame Helen Mirren.

TUI River Cruises will encourage people to discover the destinations they visit with an explorer’s mind-set. Therefore, they are seeking applicants with an insatiable desire to explore and discover new things, from reading about destinations to discovering new sights. TUI will be accepting applications from anyone over the age of 18 with an explorer’s mind-set. Successful candidates just need to explain in less than 400 words what exploring means to them to be in with a chance of bagging the role. An appreciation of waterways is an advantage, but not essential.

Godparent duties will include providing expert opinion on the exploration credentials of a TUI River Cruise, with a particular focus on the excursion programme and they will be asked to make personal recommendations for customers. They will attend the exclusive launch ceremony and officially christen their ships in March 2020. And will also carrying out ‘river testing’, whereby the Godparent and a travel companion will try out a further two selected itineraries later this year to feedback their views and make their ‘Godparent recommendations’.

TUI River Cruises will be launching three adult only ships in March, with applications also open for colleagues within the business to be Godparent of TUI Skyla.

“TUI River Cruises has given us an opportunity to start new traditions and having our godparent’s role live beyond the launch event with them ‘river testing’ some of our itineraries and making ‘Godparent Recommendations’ will be invaluable. It’s also really exciting for us to be opening up the search far and wide. Traditionally a ship’s Godparent is a Godmother but this role is open to anybody over 18 – they just need an explorer’s mind-set.

“Exploration means something different to each and every one of us. It may mean discovering an unknown beach in an exotic location to some, whereas for others it’s as simple as finding new paths to walk in the woods, visiting new destinations on their doorstep or the thrill of taking a selfie at a world famous landmark.

“We’re not looking for extreme mountain trekkers or arctic explorers, but ordinary people who are curious, open minded and like to travel.”

TUI River Cruises is part of TUI UK and Ireland and TUI Group.

There are three ships in the TUI River Cruises fleet, TUI Isla, TUI Skyla and TUI Maya.

TUI River Cruises offers customers a full board plus package as standard and £120 excursion credit (based on a seven night itinerary).