Norwegian Cruise Line has 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 NCL president David J. Herrera.
"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 LEED Gold Certified 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 & chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Norwegian Viva's christening in Miami. (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
"The addition of Norwegian Viva further elevates our world-class fleet, providing our valued guests with another incredible way to vacation, 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."
John Kirk, TravelPulse Canada Founder and Editor-in-Chief, had the opportunity to sail on Viva during its inaugural sailing in the Mediterranean.
Norwegian Viva boasts many beautiful outdoor spaces. (Photo Credit: John Kirk)
“This ship is a great addition to this class for NCL,” Kirk said. “We had an incredible experience onboard her in August this year. The public areas are a standout for me as well as the incredible dining options in the specialty restaurants.”
Luis Fonsi, Norwegian Viva’s godfather and GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, officially named and christened the vessel with the ceremonial champagne bottle break across the ship’s hull which signifies good fortune and safe travels for all who sail aboard.
The celebration continued through the evening with an entertainment lineup headlined by Fonsi performing his award-winning and global chart-topping hit “Despacito,” among his other beloved Latin hits like “No Me Doy Por Vencido” and “Échame La Culpa.”
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.
TravelPulse Canada was onboard for the first commercial sailing onboard the all-new NCL Viva. (Photo Credit: John Kirk)
At 965 feet long with the capacity for 3,099 guests, Norwegian Viva highlights include the three-story Viva Speedway; elevated offerings such as Indulge Food Hall, an open-air food market featuring 11 unique eateries; and an awe-inspiring art collection with stand-out pieces including British digital artist Dominic Harris’ 52-foot-wide interactive work of art named “Every Wing has a Silver Lining” installed at the Metropolitan Bar.
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 December 15.
Through March 2024, Norwegian Viva will offer port-intensive seven-day Caribbean voyages, where guests will wake up each day in a new tropical island paradise with calls to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John's, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands with no days at sea.
The Haven onboard Norwegian Viva (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
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. In addition, NCL's year-round 'Free at Sea' offer provides travelers with more value with vacation-enhancing benefits, including unlimited open bar, specialty dining, shore excursion credits, complimentary Wi-Fi, discounted rates for the third and fourth guests and free roundtrip airfare for the second guest.
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