REYKJAVIK — Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Prima, was christened this past weekend in Reykjavik, the first major cruise ship to be christened in Iceland’s capital.

As the first of six ships in NCL’s Prima Class, Norwegian Prima debuted to more than 2,500 guests, who prior to the christening ceremony enjoyed an LED light show by artist Olafur Eliasson as well as performances by Icelandic singer-songwriter Briet who was joined by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. During the official ceremony, Icelandic group Daði og Gagnamagnið took to the stage before the ship’s godmother, pop superstar Katy Perry, christened the vessel with a ceremonial champagne bottle break across the hull before. She then performed several of her chart-topping hits like ‘California Gurls,’ ‘Roar’ and ‘Firework.’

“It was so much fun to sprinkle some fairy godmother dust on Norwegian Prima and send her on her way to sail the high seas,” said Perry. “I always appreciate a family vacation and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I was happy to wish all the vacationing guests a happy bon voyage!”

At 965 feet and with a capacity for 3,100 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Prima is said to offer the highest space ratio of any contemporary or premium cruise ship. It boasts the largest variety of suite categories available at sea, as well as The Haven by Norwegian, NCL’s ultra-premium, keycard-only access ship-within-a-ship concept. Other top-selling points include The Rush and The Drop, the fastest slides at sea, the Prima Speedway, the first three-level racetrack at sea, as well as spaces like Ocean Boulevard, a 44,000 square-foot outdoor walkway, The Concourse, home to an outdoor sculpture garden, and Infinity Beach, featuring expansive pool decks and infinity-style pools.

“With her stunning design and unique offerings, 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 ‘only-available-on-Prima experiences,’ she is continuing NCL’s legacy of industry firsts.

“We wanted to launch Norwegian Prima in a location just as special and unique as she is, and Reykjavik’s striking landscape is the perfect setting for such a milestone occasion. We thank the Reykjavik community for welcoming us with open arms.”

Norwegian Prima will depart on inaugural voyages to Northern Europe from the Netherlands, Denmark and England beginning Sept. 3, 2022, before making its way to the United States where it will sail voyages to the Caribbean from New York City, Galveston, Texas and Miami in October and November. The ship will then settle into its homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida and Galveston, Texas for the 2023 and 2024 cruise season.

Watch for more coverage in tomorrow’s Travelweek Daily from Travelweek’s Vawn Himmelsbach, currently onboard the brand new Norwegian Prima.