Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of Norwegian Joy, a ship the brand has custom-designed for the Chinese cruise market, from Meyer Werft during an onboard ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Accommodating 3,883 guests, Norwegian Joy is the second ship in the line’s Breakaway-Plus class and offers amenities tailored for Chinese guests, the cruise line said.
In advance of the delivery, David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings China, and executives from Norwegian’s offices in China gathered for a traditional blessing from the Chinese Goddess of the Sea, Mazu, to ask for safe and pleasant voyages for the ship and all its guests, Norwegian said. The ceremony was held at the Mazu Temple in Shanghai where, one year ago, the Norwegian team held a ceremony to obtain a blessing for the coins that were used in Norwegian Joy’s Keel laying ceremony. During the visit, a ceramic statue of Mazu was gifted to the company by the temple representatives and brought to Germany for the ship’s delivery. The statue has been given a place of honor aboard Norwegian Joy and will carry the blessings of Mazu on the journey to China.
Following delivery, Norwegian Joy will begin its journey to China, where the ship will be showcased through a grand inaugural port tour with one-day events at the ports of Singapore, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, as well as VIP partner cruises from Norwegian Joy’s home ports of Shanghai and Beijing (Tianjin). The ship will be christened in an event for honored guests on June 27, led by the ship’s Godfather, the ‘King of Chinese Pop’, Wang Leehom.
Norwegian Joy is Norwegian Cruise Line’s first purpose-built ship customized for the Chinese cruise market. Accommodations include The Haven by Norwegian, the line’s ship-within-a-ship luxury suite complex, which also includes an all-new The Haven Observation Lounge with 180 degree views, and a Concierge level, an all-new accommodations category that provides an exclusive Concierge Observation Lounge and larger balcony staterooms. Accommodations offerings also include staterooms designed specifically for families, including a multitude of connecting staterooms, for extended families traveling together, as well as a wide array of mini-suite, balcony, ocean view and interior staterooms, many with virtual balconies.
Norwegian Joy also offers activities including a two-level competitive Ferrari-branded racetrack, an open-air laser tag course, simulator rides, Oculus virtual reality technology and interactive video walls at the Galaxy Pavilion, and two multi-story waterslides. In addition, Norwegian Joy has a tranquil open space park as well as the line’s largest upscale shopping district.
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