In Marghera, Venice, at the famed Fincantieri shipyard, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the pioneer in international cruise travel with a 55-year history of pushing boundaries, today took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Prima.
The first ship in NCL’s Prima Class, the first of six new ships scheduled for delivery through 2027, has finally arrived at this much-awaited milestone. Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, Frank Del Rio, president, and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division, were among the notable NCLH and Fincantieri executives present at the historic event. The customary flag-exchange ceremony came after the delivery party.
Harry Sommer, president, and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line said: “Today we usher in a thrilling new era in cruising as we celebrate the delivery of Norwegian Prima, the long-anticipated first ship in our extraordinary new Prima Class. She is a true testament to our Guest First philosophy as well as our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences that exceed expectations. We thank our wonderful partners at Fincantieri, whose coveted craftsmanship, expertise, and dedication, helped bring Norwegian Prima to life. We cannot wait to welcome our guests on board.”
Norwegian Prima Hits It Big
The 3,300-passenger Norwegian Prima is 965 feet/294 meters long, weighs 142,500 gross tonnes, and was built with the needs of the passengers in mind. She offers spacious interiors, an exquisite design that is both thoughtful and beautiful, and a number of brands- and industry-first experiences. She asserts her position as the largest new cruise ship in the contemporary category and has the largest outdoor deck area and accommodations of any newly constructed vessel.
The Drop, the first freefall dry slide in the world that offers a 10-story plunge experience and reaches more G-forces than a speeding F1 race car, is among her assortment of elevated experiences and gastronomic delights. It is the Brand’s first upscale open-air food hall. The Prima Speedway is the largest and first three-level racetrack at sea.
Ocean Boulevard, which spans the whole deck and is more than 44,000 square feet, is another onboard highlight. It enables guests to interact with the ocean while enjoying alfresco dining and premium activities. Infinity Beach, which has two magnificent infinity pools that are situated close to the water’s surface to provide guests with uninterrupted views of the vast ocean, and Oceanwalk, which features two glass bridges that give visitors the sensation of walking on air above the water, provide the ultimate in relaxation for visitors.
Norwegian Prima will feature The Concourse, the first outdoor sculpture park at sea with six installations made by renowned metal artist Alexander Krivosheiw and an art wall constructed by David Harber, making it a haven for art enthusiasts.
Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri said: “We’re glad to work with Norwegian Cruise Line to create a world-class series of ships, and it’s a proud day seeing the first of the six Prima Class vessels delivered today. Norwegian Prima is packed with world-firsts, never-before-seen features, and extraordinary attractions you would never expect at sea”.
The first large cruise ship to be christened in Iceland will be the Norwegian Prima, which will set sail in August and make its debut on August 27, 2022, from Reykjavik to Amsterdam. The godmother of Norwegian Prima, international pop artist Katy Perry, will uphold the age-old nautical custom of blessing and naming the ship, as well as singing at the christening event.
After her debut trip, the Norwegian Prima will depart on a number of eight-day cruises from Amsterdam and Copenhagen that will give passengers the chance to tour Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords. She will then depart from Bermuda on October 10, 2022, travel to the Caribbean on October 15, 2022, and travel to the Western Caribbean on December 11, 2022, until March 19, 2023, when she will return to Bermuda from March 28 to May 7, 2023. From May 14 to September 17, 2023, she will then conduct cruises to Northern Europe.
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