Norwegian Cruise Line has honored its 100 “Giving Joy” trainer contest winners with a particular live performance and unique cruise aboard Norwegian Prima.
The award ceremony and live performance had been held on Thursday, October 27, 2022, and the ship is now underway for the five-night crusing, the cruise line’s first-ever departure from Galveston, Texas.
Educators Honored
The awards ceremony, which highlighted the grand prize winners, was the end result of the “Giving Joy” contest held in May and early June, having kicked off in the course of the 2022 National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6).
Teachers had been nominated for his or her dedication to schooling and the way they “give joy” and inspiration to their college students and faculty communities. The contest’s 100 finalists, who got here from 27 completely different U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and two Canadian provinces, had been introduced in June.
Those finalists, plus their visitors, are being handled to an unique getaway aboard Norwegian Prima. The free cruise additionally consists of airfare, a one-night pre-cruise lodge keep, transfers to and from the ship, and different onboard facilities.
One of the highest facilities has been an unique live performance from award-winning artist Kelly Clarkson, godmother to a different Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Encore, and Texas native.
“It was such an honor to celebrate the 100 deserving winners of Norwegian’s Giving Joy program at Norwegian Prima’s inaugural sailing, which embarked from my home state of Texas!” mentioned Clarkson.
“Teachers are our true everyday unsung heroes, and they play an integral role in our society, not only shaping the future of their students, but the future of their communities as well. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to participate in this program and give a special performance before they set sail on the trip of a lifetime!”
Grand Prize Winners Announced
The spotlight of the onboard awards ceremony was the announcement of the competition’s grand prize winners, who, along with the free cruise, win substantial prize cash for his or her colleges.
The grand prize winners had been introduced by Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Harry Sommer.
“Norwegian’s Giving Joy campaign is very special to us as we see an undeniable connection between travel and education,” Sommer mentioned.
“Both broaden our perspectives, make us more understanding and aware of other points of view, and brings people together. Teachers bring the world to their students and in a smaller way, we bring the world to our guests.”
The three grand prize winners are: Science trainer Patricia Hosmer from Bayonne High School in Bayonne, New Jersey, who has taught for 35 years; Theresa Schrager from Falcon Cove Middle School in Weston, Florida, who teaches movie and artistic writing to assist college students uncover their creativity; and English trainer Anthony Stirpe from New Rochelle High School in New Rochelle, New York, who teaches in non-traditional methods to assist college students study their very own strategies of expression.
Hosmer, Schrager, and Stirpe acquired $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 donations respectively for his or her colleges. In addition, they had been awarded with almost $40,000 in shock prize cash from greater than 30 beneficiant companions of Norwegian Cruise Line.
Celebrating Aboard Norwegian Prima
For the following few days, all 100 finalists, together with the grand prize winners, and their visitors will have fun aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest vessel on the unique 5-night crusing, visiting Merida, Mexico. This can also be the primary time the NCL cruise ship has sailed from the Port of Galveston.
After this celebratory crusing, Norwegian Prima will embark on an 11-night one-way crusing from Galveston to Miami, the place she’s going to keep for a number of sailings as a part of her inaugural tour.
From mid-December to mid-March, the brand new ship shall be homeported from Port Canaveral, providing primarily 7-night itineraries visiting Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s non-public island in The Bahamas.
After the winter season within the Caribbean, the ship will transfer to spend a number of weeks crusing Bermuda itineraries from New York, earlier than heading to Europe for the 2023 summer time season.
Norwegian Prima will return to Galveston in December 2023, to stay homeported there for the winter.