Norwegian Cruise Line: A Journey into the World of Art


Travel is increasingly a way to immerse oneself in art and culture. Just as the world has many facets, so does culture: traditions, craftsmanship, and art are some of the wonders that one can discover while traveling. Embarking on an NCL cruise offers guests the opportunity to savor the cultural diversity and attractions of the world in a single journey.

Culture and art are increasingly the reasons for traveling. This is confirmed by a recent survey conducted by Onepoll on behalf of NCL, where over 85% of Italian travelers enjoy indulging in art and culture in Italy or abroad, and more than 20% have visited at least one museum or art exhibition during their recent vacations. While relaxation and escaping from daily routines are understandably considered the primary goals when booking a vacation (69% and 60%), people look forward to appreciating different cultures (59%) and learning something new (58%). Admiring artworks/experiencing culture and emotions are equally important (42%), following visits to famous monuments (49%) and spending time with loved ones (44%).

“At NCL, we believe in the strong connection between art and travel. We have taken art and design to new levels aboard our new Prima Class and consider these aspects an integral part of the vacation experience,” said Kevin Bubolz, Vice President & Managing Director Continental Europe, Middle East & Africa. “Not only can our guests benefit from an enticing artistic offering on board our ships, but they can also immerse themselves in the artistic attractions of over 400 destinations we sail to.”

According to the same survey, the top 5 destinations for respondents include Paris (59%), London (53%), Florence (53%), Barcelona (52%), and Venice (48%) in Europe, and New York City (54%), Tokyo (51%), San Francisco (43%), Miami (37%), and Melbourne (32%) outside of Europe.

When the vacation begins from the journey

The first two ships of NCL’s innovative Prima Class, the Norwegian Prima and the Norwegian Viva feature the largest art collection in the NCL fleet. With several hundred pieces of art on display valued at over $7 million, the Norwegian Viva showcases the interactive digital artwork, “Every Wing Has a Silver Lining,” which stretches 16 meters in length, created exclusively by British digital artist Dominic Harris for the new ship in the fleet. The artwork is exhibited in the Metropolitan Bar of Norwegian Viva, the brand’s sustainable bar, and features Harris’s iconic butterfly motifs. Each digital silver-winged butterfly dynamically responds to the movements of passersby during the day, creating engagement with the viewer. Additionally, Italian graffiti artist Manuel Di Rita, known as “Peeta,” was chosen to decorate the hull of the Norwegian Viva and created a futuristic 3D-inspired artwork that extends to the front superstructure of the ship. The Concourse, introduced for the first time in the NCL fleet aboard the Norwegian Prima, features sculptures by six different artists, including Kevin Box, Arik Levy, and Sophie Elizabeth Thompson.

To experience the highlighted great destinations in the survey, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a wide range of itineraries worldwide. In April 2024, the Norwegian Prima will set sail from New York for a 15-day cruise to provide guests with the transatlantic journey of a lifetime. With stops in the ports of Amsterdam, Brussels/Bruges (Zeebrugge), and Paris (Le Havre), it offers guests the opportunity to visit a selection of the world’s greatest museums.

The Norwegian Viva will offer the opportunity to discover a new port in the Mediterranean every day, with a 10-day itinerary and 11 ports of call, including Rome, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), and Barcelona. Miami, in addition to being named one of the preferred destinations in the survey, is the gateway to the Caribbean. The Norwegian Joy offers a 7-day cruise with 5 ports of call, including Harvest Caye, Belize.

For information on the award-winning fleet of 19 ships and itineraries worldwide, or to book a cruise, contact a travel agent or visit www.ncl.com.

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Giulia Pasetto

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