NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Luis Fonsi, a highly acclaimed singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, will be the godfather of their newest ship, Norwegian Viva, which belongs to their innovative Prima Class.
This groundbreaking vessel will be christened in Miami Florida and then operate from her homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico starting in the autumn of this year.
Luis Fonsi, who has received GRAMMY nominations and won 5 Latin GRAMMY awards, is best known for his numerous radio hits, including the record-breaking global chart-topper "Despacito," which held a position on Billboard's "Hot Latin Song" list for an unprecedented 56 consecutive weeks. As a Puerto Rican artist, Fonsi will follow the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming the Norwegian Viva at a christening ceremony on November 28th, 2023, in Miami, often dubbed the "Cruise Capital of the World."
The christening event, themed "Live it Up!," will feature an array of leading Latin entertainers, such as Paulina Rubio, known as The Queen of Latin Pop, Marcello Hernandez, a cast member of "Saturday Night Live" and a Miami native, and singer Pedro Capo. These artists will deliver exclusive performances throughout the night to enhance the celebratory atmosphere.
During the ceremony, Luis Fonsi will carry out the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship's bow, symbolizing good fortune for the vessel and its passengers on their journey. After completing her inaugural voyage, Norwegian Viva will become the newest ship to homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, arriving on December 15th, 2023.
From December 2023 to April 2024, Norwegian Viva will offer a range of 7-day Caribbean roundtrips visiting Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St. John's (Antigua), Bridgetown (Barbados), Castries (St. Lucia), Philipsburg (St. Maarten), and St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands).
Following the Caribbean deployment, the ship starts a summer European season based on homeporting in Piraeus-Athens Greece; Lisbon Portugal, Civitavecchia-Rome and Venice-Trieste.
As the second ship in NCL's Prima Class, Norwegian Viva joins its award-winning sister ship, Norwegian Prima. The Prima Class elevates the guest experience by offering exceptional cuisine, the most spacious design in the company's history, and outstanding onboard activities, including the three-level racetrack called the Viva Speedway. Norwegian Viva incorporates many of the remarkable features that set the Prima Class apart, such as Indulge Food Hall, an upscale food market with 11 distinct eateries, thrilling slides at sea named The Drop and Rush, and the Metropolitan Bar, which is NCL's exclusive sustainable cocktail bar.
Scheduled to debut in August 2023, Norwegian Viva will initially embark on captivating voyages to the Greek Isles and the Mediterranean until November. Afterward, she will commence her Caribbean itineraries from San Juan, Puerto Rico, starting in December 2023, providing passengers with unforgettable experiences.