Norwegian Cruise Line has named Grammy-nominated and five-time Latin Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Luis Fonsi as godfather of the Norwegian Viva, the company's second Premium Class ship. The ship will be christened in Miami before its arrival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this fall.
Fonsi, of Puerto Rican descent, will celebrate the ancient maritime tradition of blessing and officially christening the Norwegian Viva at the christening ceremony on November 28, 2023, in Miami. The Norwegian Viva's theme song, "Live it Up!", will be played throughout the evening, with a lineup of prominent Latin artists joining Fonsi, including Paulina Rubio, Marcello Hernández, and singer Pedro Capó, who will offer exclusive performances.
“We are thrilled to welcome Latin music phenomenon Luis Fonsi to the NCL family as godfather of the Norwegian Viva and to have him join us for the christening of our newest ship,” said David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Miami, our hometown, is steeped in Latin culture, and we want to celebrate the debut of the Norwegian Viva with a fusion of Latin talent headlined by Luis. As a native Puerto Rican, who also resides in Miami, he unites people from all over the world with his music, energy, and positivity, making him the perfect complement to the energy of the Norwegian Viva. We can’t wait for him to join us to celebrate this momentous occasion later this year.”
On November 28, 2023, Luis Fonsi will officiate the opening ceremony with a bottle of champagne on the bow of the ship to wish the ship and its passengers good luck on their journey, a common nautical tradition at any ship launch.
After completing its maiden voyage, the Norwegian Viva will be the most modern homeported ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico, upon its arrival on December 15, 2023. It will offer a variety of seven-day Caribbean cruises through April 2024 with stops in Tortola (British Virgin Islands), San Juan (Antigua), Bridgetown (Barbados), Castries (Saint Lucia), Philipsburg (Saint Maarten), and Saint Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), before returning for a summer season of European cruises from Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Lisbon, Portugal; and Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice (Trieste), Italy.
“I am deeply honored to be named Godfather of NCL’s newest ship, the Norwegian Viva, and I look forward to sharing this with the wonderful people of Puerto Rico, a community that truly embodies the spirit of 'Live It Up,'”said Luis Fonsi, the award-winning global artist. “Having grown up on an island, the ocean is a huge part of my life, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Cruising offers an incredible vacation experience, and I can’t wait to christen this stunning ship and introduce her to the world.”
The Norwegian Viva is the second of the company's six Prima-class ships and a sister ship to the Norwegian Prima. The new Prima-class offerings prioritize the guest experience and elevate cruising through world-class cuisine, the company's most spacious design to date, and onboard activities including the Viva Speedway, a three-level racetrack.
The Norwegian Viva offers many of the onboard experiences that make Premium Class an exclusive category, including the Indulge Food Hall, the luxury food marketplace featuring 11 unique restaurants; the fastest waterslides at sea, The Drop and Rush; and NCL's industry-exclusive sustainable cocktail bar, the Metropolitan Bar.
