Norwegian Kicks Off Inaugural Prima Weekend

Norwegian Kicks Off Inaugural Prima Weekend

The Norwegian Prima celebrated the Art of Iceland at Reykjavik`s famed Harpa Concert Hall in a gala event as the new Norwegian Cruise Line ship prepares for its weekend christening.

Welcoming guests in attendance for the preliminary christening festivities was Richard Ambrose Senior Vice President of Entertainment and Cruise Programs at Norwegian Cruise Line who introduced the all-Icelandic performances.

Highlights included known pop singer Briet Isis, the Iceland Dance Company, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony`s Cello Ensemble. 

The salute to Iceland and its artists was an original production kicking off the Prima Christening that is to be celebrated on Saturday in Iceland.

The Godmother is Katy Perry who will be performing.

UK Cruise Agents invited to the NCL Prima Showcase in the U.S.

UK and Irish travel agents will be given the chance to visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) newest ship, Norwegian Prima, during a series of trade showcase events in the US later this year.

Speaking to TTG on Monday (25 April), NCL president and chief executive Harry Sommer said the line will aim to get "as many people as possible" onboard in Reykjavik in August for the ship’s naming ceremony.

 

"We are going to try and bring as many people on board during the christening as we can," Sommer said. "We are going to do our best to get both the trade and the media to see the vessel.

 

"We have important trade partners in the UK, and we would love for them to join us in the US for our trade showcases from Miami, New York and Galveston."

 

The promise comes after NCL cancelled Prima’s trade preview sailing from Southampton on 12 August due to "circumstances beyond our control". 

 

Prima is the first of six ships in NCL’s Prima Class, the line’s first new series of vessels in nearly 10 years.

Sommer also confirmed Prima’s godmother, pop star Katy Perry, will perform at the vessel’s christening.

 

"[Perry’s] international appeal was the reason we chose her," Sommer added. "She has such high energy, she is a really nice person and I think she will represent the brand well. She will be sailing on Prima at some point during the christening from Reykjavik.

 

"I love Prima’s infinity pools on deck 18. They are simply spectacular. The pools, the waiting area, all of it, people will absolutely love it. It is unique to Prima and it is a great experience," he added.

 

"The spa is also going to be unbelievable. It has a two-storey entrance with a waterfall, and we’ve also spent $6 million on art – $2 million of which is on sculptures around the ship. It’s going to be like walking through a fine art museum."

Prima’s godmother, pop star Katy Perry, will perform at the vessel’s christening in Iceland

Earlier this month, NCL became the first cruise line to release a collection of NFTs, which, according to Sommer, sold out within 20 minutes – with one piece going for $3,000. 

 

"I couldn’t believe it," he said. "We love to innovate and we know it is a really popular thing at the moment. We will be extending the collection in the future, maybe some to do with Katy and some to do with Prima, with all proceeds going to a mixture of charities."

 

NCL plans to have its full fleet back in service within the next two weeks, with Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Escape due to return to operations by 7 May.

 

"We are ready to go," added Sommer. "In fact – we are beyond ready".

Katy Perry as godmother of new-ship Norwegian Prima

As godmother, Perry will not only fulfil the maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming the vessel, but she will perform during the christening ceremony in August before the vessel embarks on its inaugural voyage from Reykjavik.
 

Harry Sommer, president and chief executive of NCL, said the brand was "excited" to welcome the "one-of-a-kind artist" as godmother of Prima.

 

"We are so incredibly proud that she will be part of the Norwegian Cruise Line family and look forward to launching our beautiful, innovative ship with her in August," he added.

Perry said her favourite form of a holiday with her family was on the water. "Every morning that you wake up, you get to experience an incredible new view," she added.

 

"I love that I get to christen her with my good vibrations, and I’m so excited for this new, beautiful, high-end, high-tech ship to take the seas, and provide once-in-a-lifetime vacations for so many families."

 

Prima will offer inaugural voyages to Northern Europe from Southampton, Amsterdam and Reykjavik from 12 August, sailings to Bermuda from New York from 6 October and Caribbean itineraries from Texas and Miami beginning 27 October.