Harden named cruise ship's godmother

MIAMI, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Marcia Gay Harden has been named godmother of Carnival Cruise Lines' new cruise ship Carnival Dream, the company announced Monday.

Harden, whose film credits include "Mystic River" and "Pollock," is to take part in the ship's christening Thursday.

The invitation-only ceremony in New York is scheduled to be broadcast live on the company's Web site -- www.carnival.com/dream -- beginning at 4 p.m. EST.

Carnival's Senior Cruise Director John Heald is to preside over the event on the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, which was unveiled in Europe Sept. 21.

It is expected to operate a series of voyages from New York before repositioning in Port Canaveral, Fla., to begin year-round Caribbean service Dec. 3, Royal Caribbean said.