Amidst a glamorous ceremony at PortMiami Florida on Tuesday, November 28, Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Luis Fonsi took center stage to christen Norwegian Viva, the newest addition to NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line's expanding fleet.
The event featured appearances by fellow musicians Pedro Capo and Paulina Rubio, along with comedian Marcello Hernandez from 'Saturday Night Live (SNL).'
Fonsi, globally recognized for his chart-topping hit 'Despacito,' expressed pride in baptizing the cruise ship, which is set to embark on 7-day Caribbean itineraries with San Juan, Puerto Rico, as her homeport. The journeys from San Juan will include stops at Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Saint Johns (Antigua), Bridgetown (Barbados), Castries (Saint Lucia), Philipsburg (Saint Maarten), and St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands).
Following her inaugural voyage, Norwegian Viva is slated to become the newest ship homeported in San Juan starting December 15, 2023.
David J. Herrera, President of NCL, lauded Fonsi as not only an incredible artist but also a genuinely good person, emphasizing that the singer perfectly embodies the values of the Miami-based cruise company.
NCL, boasting a fleet of 19 contemporary ships navigating 400 destinations worldwide, plans to offer diverse 7-day Caribbean voyages on the Norwegian Viva until April 2024. Subsequently, the ship will embark on a summer season to Europe, departing from Athens (Piraeus, Greece), Lisbon (Portugal), and Rome and Venice (Italy).
Highlighting the unique features of the Prima class vessels, NCL emphasized world-class cuisine, onboard activities like the 3-level Viva Speedway race track, the Indulge Food Hall with 11 gastronomic options, and thrilling water slides known as The Drop and The Rush. The ship also houses a sustainable cocktail bar, Metropolitan.