Norwegian Cruise Line‘s game-changing new ship, Norwegian Prima, has been floated out from her drydock at Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the new vessel touches water.
To celebrate the occasion, a commemorative coin was welded to Norwegian Prima in a traditional maritime ceremony presided over by Eamonn Ferrin, VP of International Business of Norwegian Cruise Line and Antonio Quintano, shipyard director of Fincantieri.
Tatiana Lazzarin, Head of Machinery Room Outfitting Technical Office of Fincantieri, was named the Shipyard Godmother during the coin ceremony.
The float out signifies the completion of external works and painting to Norwegian Prima, including the hull artwork designed by Italian graffiti artist Manuel Di Rita. Work now continues on Norwegian Prima‘s interior fittings and guest accommodations, before she is officially delivered to NCL and commences sailing in summer 2022.
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“A ship’s float out is always a significant milestone, but this one is particularly special,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Our 18th ship, Norwegian Prima represents an exciting new chapter for our brand and the first vessel to be delivered in our groundbreaking new Prima Class. We’ve worked closely with our partners at Fincantieri to deliver a truly remarkable vessel. Their passion, skill and craftsmanship has brought to life one of the most stylish and innovative ships to ever set sail. I’m thrilled we’re now one step closer to welcoming our guests onboard in just 12 months’ time.”
Norwegian Prima is the first of six ships in NCL’s highly anticipated Prima Class, NCL’s first new class of vessels in nearly 10 years. The 142,500 gross tonne ship has a capacity for 3,215 guests at double occupancy. Norwegian Prima boasts wide-open spaces, thoughtful and stunning design, and a variety of new experiences for the brand.
Norwegian Prima offers the most outdoor deck space and the most expansive accommodations of any new build. She boasts multiple company firsts, including Ocean Boulevard, wrapping around the entire deck, allowing guests to connect to the ocean while enjoying alfresco dining and unique experiences such as Infinity Beach, where two infinity pools are positioned to take in the vastness of the ocean with uninterrupted views, and Oceanwalk, where two glass bridges will make guests feel as though they are walking on air over the water.
The Haven by Norwegian on Norwegian Prima offers the brand’s most exclusive and centralised ‘ship-within-a-ship’ suite complex. Spanning eight decks of suites and public areas, it is accessible via private elevators and located at the aft of the ship for the very first time. Learn more here.
Designed to be more open to the sea than ever before, every public area in The Haven will offer spectacular views, together with a stunning new infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake and a new outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.
Commencing summer 2022, Norwegian Prima will offer bucket-list itineraries in Northern Europe with voyages from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Copenhagen, Denmark giving guests the opportunity to explore the stunning Norwegian Fjords and Baltic Sea. She will then sail a 12-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton to New York via Scotland’s Shetland Islands, Halifax in Nova Scotia and an extended overnight stay in Reykjavik, Iceland. Norwegian Prima will then offer a variety of voyages to Bermuda and Caribbean cruises from New York, Galveston, Miami and Port Canaveral