Highlighting its newest itinerary, American Cruise Lines on Monday officially welcomed its second Coastal Cat ship, American Glory, in Key West, Florida.

Sailing round trip from St. Petersburg, American Glory will visit Punta Gorda, Marco Island and Key West on its seven-night Florida Gulf Coast & Keys itinerary from January 26 through March, and then again in November and December. Glory’s sister ship, American Legend, is scheduled to sail the same itinerary beginning in November.

Both ships are part of American Cruise Line’s ‘Project Blue,’ a fleet of 12 small ships, carrying 100 passengers each, designed to sail almost every domestic US itinerary. The Coastal Cats will sail the east coast from Maine to Florida throughout 2024 and 2025.

At the christening ceremony for American Glory, American Cruise Lines president and CEO Charles B. Robertson introduced the ship’s godmother, Key West mayor Teri Johnston.

“Docking in Mallory Square is a privilege, and we are honored to be a new small piece of the Key West community,” he said.

American Glory has four decks, a unique catamaran bow, an elegant interior design and private balconies, as well as a restaurant, casual café and fitness center.

American Cruise Lines is building five ships in 2024, and will operate 19 ships and cruise more than 50 domestic itineraries, ranging from six to sixty days, in 35 states, including both coasts and many rivers in between. All the ships are American-built, flagged, and crewed.

A Latin Lineup of entertainers joined 1,500 members of the travel press, travel advisors and well-wishers to welcome the newest Norwegian ship, Norwegian Viva, in Miami on Tuesday.

“To christen Norwegian Viva in Miami is incredibly special to many of us at NCL, not only because Miami is our hometown, but also because we can share this moment with our local family and friends,” NCL president David J. Herrera said.

Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., noted that Viva’s debut makes for a triple-header this year, with new ships joining all three NCLH brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. In her just-ended inaugural Europe season, he said, Norwegian Viva’s guest satisfaction scores “have outshined any newbuild in the history of the NCL fleet, a testament to not only how stunning this ship is, but also the exceptional level of service and attention provided by our amazing crew on board.”

Luis Fonsi, best known for his hit song Despacito, served as headliner of the show and godfather of the ship, the second in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Class. Joining Fonsi onstage were “Saturday Night Live” cast member Marcello Hernandez; the Queen of Latin Pop, Paulina Rubio; and recently announced GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist, Pedro Capó.

Unlike other newly built ships that debuted in the past year or two, the 965-foot Viva holds just 3,099 guests. Like its sister Norwegian Prima, it has a three-story Viva Speedway; an open-air Indulge Food Hall with 11 unique eateries; and an art collection that includes a 52-foot-wide interactive work of art by British digital artist Dominic Harris.

The christening party will continue for four days, sailing to Great Stirrup Cay. Then the ship will reposition to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 15, 2023, and sail seven-day Caribbean voyages through March 2024, visiting Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, with no days at sea. In April 2024, she will return to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles.

“Prima class has exceeded my expectations from day one, “ said CLIA VP of trade relations Charles Sylvia. “What I love is the contemporary comfort—it’s fresh, clean, and I feel instantly at home onboard.”

Nexxion Travel Group president Jackie  Friedman said, “The ship is gorgeous. The spaces are just so well appointed that even though it’s a big ship, you never feel crowded.”

Sitting next to her at the christening, Signature CEO Alex Sharpe said, “all the new ships create a new buzz when they come out. And this category has proven to be a real leader. Everyone was so impressed when Prima came out. This class has the feel of a more luxurious product, but with the size and choice and fun stuff of a contemporary big ship.”

TRO is onboard Norwegian Viva to follow the festivities and get feedback from the travel advisors. Stay tuned right here for the full scoop on Norwegian Viva in The Rosen Report next week.