The laying of the first block of the Norwegian Joy marks the beginning of construction of the cruise line's first ship designed exclusively for the Chinese market.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Meyer Werft shipyard executives celebrated the keel-laying ceremony for the first ship designed exclusively for Chinese guests, the Norwegian Joy ( Xǐ Yuè Hào), which will be ready in the summer of 2017, last Tuesday, April 5, in Papenburg, Germany
During the ceremony, the first of 80 blocks that will make up the 168,800-ton vessel was placed in the covered construction room, officially marking the start of the ship's construction. Executives from Norwegian Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) attended the event and tossed the traditional coin before a massive crane lifted the first block, weighing 680 tons, into place.
“We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the keel laying of Norwegian Joy with our partners at Meyer Werft,” said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Norwegian Joy represents another step in the evolution of Norwegian Cruise Line. We are confident that the excellent work of the Meyer Werft teams will make it a world-class ship.”
To commemorate the day's activities, a special commemorative coin was created featuring the ship. On March 31, 2016, NCLH China executives gathered for a traditional prayer and vow ceremony to Mazu, the Chinese goddess of the sea, to bless the coins, the ship, and all guests who would sail on it. The ceremony was held at the Xingtian Temple in Fang Ta Park, Shanghai. The same coin was placed beneath the block during the ceremony.
“We are carefully designing every element of the Norwegian Joy, from its VIP accommodations and gourmet restaurants to its exceptional leisure and entertainment options, as well as activities for families. The goal is to create a first-class onboard experience fully focused on exceeding the expectations of our Chinese customers,” said David Herrera, President of NCLH China.
In addition to the ceremony, Norwegian Cruise Line announced the appointment of David Herrera as President of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings China. Formerly Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for NCLH, Herrera will assume new responsibilities in sales, marketing, public relations, and operations for all three brands in NCLH's portfolio.
“David is building an incredible team in China, a group of highly talented people who are committed to making the launch of NorwegianJoy a resounding success, and that dedication starts at the top,” said Harry Sommer, Executive Vice President, International Business Development at NCLH. “It was very clear that David’s involvement in our activities in China since 2012, as well as his enthusiasm and passion, made him the right person to lead the team on the ground in Shanghai. We are delighted to have him in this new role.”
