Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of Norwegian Viva, the newest vessel in the now 19-ship fleet and the second ship in the line’s Prima Class.
Held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the event marked the arrival of the second of six ships in the Prima Class set to debut through 2028. Norwegian Prima was the first, inaugurated in style in 2022 with a performance by ship godmother Katy Perry.
'Beetlejuice' The Musical will be the headline production aboard Norwegian Viva. (photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
NCL says Norwegian Viva’s tagline "Live it Up" represents the enhanced guest experience and on-board characteristic of this new ship class, including elevated offerings, more spacious designs, thrilling onboard activities such as the three-story Viva Speedway go-kart tacks, and new dining concepts, including the Indulge Food Hall, an open-air food market featuring 11 different dining choices.
“Ships as stellar as those of the Prima Class are only possible in collaboration with an incredible shipyard like Fincantieri,” said NCL president David J. Herrera. “Delivery marks an important milestone for Norwegian Viva, and we are beyond excited to bring this spectacular ship to life as we welcome guests aboard next week.”
Rendering of Norwegian Viva sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
While the ship boasts many of the highlights central to the Prima Class, unique to Norwegian Viva is the at-sea debut of Tony Award-nominated production “Beetlejuice," where guests can "Live it Up" with the undead during a musical adaptation of Tim Burton's 1988 film.
Additional evening entertainment programming includes Press Your Luck Live, an immersive game show experience pulled straight from the television screen, offering audience members a chance to participate and win prizes.
At 965 feet long, 143,535 gross tons and with the capacity for 3,100 guests, Norwegian Viva also features The Concourse, an outdoor sculpture garden in Ocean Boulevard, the wrap-around boardwalk bringing guests closer to the water than ever before.
Reimagined for Norwegian Viva, the area will include work from six artists featured on previous Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. ships: Kevin Box, Jonathan Prince, Arik Levy, Richard Hudson, Sophie Elizabeth Thompson, and Pablo Atchugarry.
"Norwegian Viva is a testament to our wonderful partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line," said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri. "We are proud to play a role in the innovative Prima Class and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come with the next four highly anticipated Prima Class ships."
Following the ship’s maiden voyage on August 10, Norwegian Viva will sail a series of Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries, before her official Christening ceremony in Miami on November 28.
The ship’s ‘godfather’ is Luis Fonsi, a Latin GRAMMY award winner. He will attend the celebration to officially name the ship and will be joined by ‘The Queen of Latin Pop,’ Paulina Rubio; “Saturday Night Live” cast member and Miami-native Marcello Hernandez; and singer Pedro Capó.
Norwegian Viva will homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a season of Caribbean voyages from December 2023 through March 2024 with calls to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
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