Norwegian Viva christened by ‘Despacito’ singer at huge Miami ceremony
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) celebrated the christening of Norwegian Viva, the Company’s newest vessel and the second ship in its Prima Class.
“To christen Norwegian Viva in Miami is incredibly special to many of us at NCL, not only because Miami is our hometown, but also because we can share this moment with our local family and friends,” said David J. Herrera, president of NCL.
“Launching a ship is no solo endeavour. I am overwhelmed with gratitude towards the entire NCL team, our partners and especially our amazing crew who have contributed to bringing Norwegian Viva to life and who care for and deliver exceptional vacation experiences for our guests.”
Following Norwegian Viva’s debut this past August and its inaugural summer season of European voyages, over 1,500 guests joined the christening ceremony held in the Company’s terminal at PortMiami.
“As a Company, it has been a milestone year with the debut of next-generation ships across all three of our best-in-class cruise brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
“The addition of Norwegian Viva further elevates our world-class fleet, providing our valued guests with another incredible way to holiday, discover new experiences and create unforgettable memories. Since she launched in August, Norwegian Viva’s initial guest satisfaction scores have outshined any newbuild in the history of the NCL fleet, a testament to not only how stunning this ship is, but also the exceptional level of service and attention provided by our amazing crew on board.”
Luis Fonsi, Norwegian Viva’s godfather and Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter, officially named and christened the vessel with the ceremonial champagne bottle break across the ship’s hull to signify good fortune and safe travels for all who sail aboard.
The celebration continued through the evening with an entertainment line-up headlined by Fonsi, who performed his hit “Despacito,” among his other beloved Latin hits like “No Me Doy Por Vencido” and “Échame La Culpa.” Other performers with authentic Miami and Latin roots took the stage, including “Saturday Night Live” cast member and Miami-native, Marcello Hernandez; Paulina Rubio; and Pedro Capó.
“It is so exciting to celebrate the magnificent Norwegian Viva in true Latin-style in Miami and alongside fellow A-list Latino entertainers,” said Fonsi.
“We are giving her a proper despedida before she makes her debut in my hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico.”
Norwegian Viva’s christening festivities also included the unveiling and dedication of the Knut Kloster Hall, a newly added installation at the NCL Terminal that pays homage to the Company’s founder, Knut Kloster, and colourfully shares details on NCL’s 57-year history of innovation in the cruise industry.
Following the inaugural sailing and select voyages from Miami, the ship will reposition to San Juan, Puerto Rico and be the newest ship to homeport in the destination when she arrives on 15 December, 2023. Through March 2024, Norwegian Viva will offer seven-day Caribbean voyages. In April 2024, Norwegian Viva will return to sail Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries that offer an unmatched opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of Europe.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
NCL norwegian cruise line Norwegian VivaLatest News
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