Norwegian Cancels Six Additional Viva Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line is cancelling six additional cruises onboard the new Norwegian Viva, pushing the debut of the second Prima-Class vessel too late August.

Currently, under construction in Italy, the 142,500-ton ship’s inaugural cruise was originally scheduled for June.  

“Given the global supply chain constraints impacting industries worldwide, including the maritime industry, we must cancel Norwegian Viva’s sailings from July 3, 2023, through and including August 17, 2023,” Norwegian said in a statement sent to booked guests.

The cancelled departures included itineraries in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean – where the Norwegian Viva is set to spend most of its maiden season.

According to the company, the impacted passengers are being offered two different options.

At a 20 per cent discount on the voyage fare originally paid, they are able to sail a comparable itinerary onboard the Norwegian Getaway.

The new reservations for the cruises onboard the 2014-built ship will include an equivalent stateroom category, keeping all of the guest’s previously selected promotions. 

Those who opt to not transfer their cruise to the Getaway may also cancel the reservation and rebook at a later date, Norwegian said.

Guests choosing this option need to contact the cruise line, which will issue a full refund to the original form of payment.

Regardless of the option selected, all passengers are also receiving a 10 per cent discount on their next cruise.

According to the company, the offer can be combined with all available promotions at the time of the booking and must be used towards sailings from August 23, 2023, through December 3, 2024.

Previously, in June, Norwegian cancelled two cruises onboard the Norwegian Viva. At the time, the company also cited construction delays.

Second, in a series of six ships known as the Prima Class, the vessel will be a sister of the new Norwegian Prima – which is set to enter service in Iceland later this month.

Norwegian Cruise Line to Debut The Evolution of Innovation Series

Following the release of season two of Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Embark with NCL,” the company will now air “The Evolution of Innovation” on August 11, 2022, according to a press release.

The three-part series will highlight the history of cruising as well as the company’s legacy, according to a statement by the cruise company.

It will also chronicle the company’s most notable moments up until the launch of the new Prima Class of ships in August of this year.

“Since 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line has set industry-leading standards for the ultimate vacation experience. ‘The Evolution of Innovation’ documents the Company’s pioneering heritage and provides a look into the future, one built on creativity, style and an uncompromising commitment to our guests,” commented Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer, Norwegian Cruise Line.

The three episodes include “History of Innovation,” “The Evolution of Entertainment” and “The Future of the Cruise Experience.” 

The first episode airs on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET both on the company’s website and Facebook page.

Executives from the company will appear in all three episodes, assisting viewers in better understanding the company’s history and impact on the cruise industry. Viewers will also get a glimpse into the brand’s history, with never-before-seen interviews and archived footage, as well as an early look into the next generation of vessels that will define the company’s future.

Norwegian Cancels Viva’s Inaugural Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line is cancelling the first and second sailings of the new Norwegian Viva.

Citing construction delays, the company said the 3,215-guest ship won’t be ready in time for the cruises, which were set to depart on June 15 and June 24, 2023.

In a statement sent to booked guests, Norwegian informed that the cancellations were a result of “global supply chain constraints impacting industries worldwide and the related downstream construction delays at the shipyard.”

According to the company, impacted passengers will receive a full refund to the original form of payment, with no further actions required on their part.

“We are committed to always putting our guests first. This includes providing information regarding any changes to voyages with as much notice as possible,” Norwegian added.

Opening up the ship’s inaugural summer in the Mediterranean, the cancelled cruises included visits to several countries in Europe.

A one-way, nine-night voyage, the inaugural sailing was set to depart Portugal, calling in various destinations in Spain and France before arriving in Italy.

An open-jaw itinerary as well, the second cruise was set to sail between two Italian ports: Civitavecchia and Trieste.

The nine-night voyage also featured visits to other ports in the country, in addition to popular destinations in Croatia, Greece, Malta and Slovenia.

The Norwegian Viva is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. Second, in a series of six ships known as the Prima Class, the vessel will be a sister of the new Norwegian Prima.

Set to debut this year, the 142,000-ton vessel is also entering service later than initially planned due to supply chain issues. Norwegian informed guests booked on the ship’s inaugural voyage that their cruise was no longer going ahead.

Also being built in Marghera, the Prima was set to depart on August 17, 2022. Ahead of a christening ceremony in Reykjavik, the vessel was offering an eight-night cruise from the Netherlands to Iceland.