Norwegian Cruise Line christened its newest ship Norwegian Prima, which made history as the first major cruise ship to be christened in Reykjavik, Iceland.
The first of six ships of the revolutionary Prima class, Norwegian Prima, debuted to more than 2,500 guests who enjoyed an immersive experience in the beautiful Icelandic capital and a christening celebration like no other.
"With her stunning design and unique offering, Norwegian Prima is in a league of her own," said Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "As the industry's most spacious new cruise ship featuring 'self-accessible-on-Prima-experiences,' she continues NCL's legacy of industry firsts." We wanted to launch Norwegian Prima in a location as special and unique as it is, and Reykjavík's striking landscape is the perfect setting for such a momentous occasion. We thank the community of Reykjavík for welcoming us with open arms.
At 965 feet (294 meters in length) and more than 143,535 tons with a capacity for 3,100 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Prima offers the highest level of staffing and space ratio of any modern or premium cruise ship. It also boasts the widest variety of suite categories available at sea, as well as the redefined The Haven by Norwegian, NCL's ultra-premium keycard for ship-in-ship-only access.
Its diverse recreational activities, including the fastest water slides at sea - The Rush and The Drop - and Prima Speedway, the first three-level racing track at sea, provide guests with adrenaline-pumping moments. Spaces such as Ocean Boulevard, a 44,000-square-foot outdoor promenade that wraps around the entire ship; The Concourse, which boasts a multi-million dollar outdoor sculpture garden; and spacious pool decks and infinity-style pools at Infinity Beach offer guests a chance to slow down and relax.
"We have been eagerly anticipating and preparing for this special event for several years, so we are thrilled to embark on the next chapter of NCL with Norwegian Primo," said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line's President and Chief Executive Officer. "It was a pleasure to see our vision come to life with this momentous christening ceremony, which sets the tone for unprecedented holidays that guests will enjoy for years to come." We are very grateful to our team members and partners around the world who have made Norwegian Prima an amazing reality.
Guests at the christening ceremony were treated to a performance by popular Icelandic group and Eurovision Song Contest 2021 fan favorite, Daði og Gagnamagnið (pronounced "Dah-thei Oh Gack-no-Mak-ne"), before Norway's Prima own godmother, Katy Perry took to the main stage to officially name and christen the ship with a ceremonial champagne bottle smash over the ship's hull.
The three-level Prima Theater & Club stage was then transformed into a magical backdrop where guests enjoyed powerful performances of some of Perry's chart-topping hits, including 'California Gurls', 'Teenage Dream', 'Roar' and 'Firework'.
