MIAMI -- A new pair of leaders took the stage at the Norwegian Luna's christening Friday: NCL CEO Marc Kazlauskas, who started in January, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO John Chidsey, who joined a month later.
Kazlauskas called the Luna special to him, not just because it was his first ship delivery but because his daughter got engaged onboard the day prior. He called his new role "the best job in the world."
Chidsey said NCL has a "spirit of innovation" and spoke optimistically of NCLH's future with 16 ships on order across three brands.
The 3,565-passenger Luna is a sister ship to the Norwegian Aqua, which debuted last year. The ship will sail from Miami through the winter and then homeport in New York City in April 2027.
John Chernesky, who was recently promoted to chief sales officer at NCL, emceed the ceremony, which was held in the NCL terminal in Miami. Serving as godmother was Elle, a street artist who designed the imagery on the ship's hull.
A recurring special guest throughout the ceremony was an actor who stars as a British ship captain in NCL's television ad campaign. The character comedically crashed the ceremony multiple times, including when the ship's captain, Robert Lundberg, was welcomed to the stage.
The character was given his own moment to shine later in the ceremony when he introduced a pastor who blessed the ship.
The ceremony ended with the traditional countdown to a bottle breaking on the ship's hull.