Norwegian Cruise Line names the Godfather

For about 4,000 years sailing vessels have named a Godmother to launch the ship and bless its journey and passengers. In recent years the cruise lines have taken to making celebrities the Godmother of new ships. Sometimes there is a natural tie in between the celebrity and the ship as when Jennifer Hudson was named the Godmother of the Disney Dream in 2011. Hudson formerly worked at Disney World before her American Idol days.

Today, in a step away from the traditional Godmother, Norwegian Cruise Line named Armando Christian Perez to be the GodFATHER of the new Norwegian Escape. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, it is because you probably know him as Pitbull, the miami based singer famous for hits like “Feel This Moment” with Christina Aguilera and “Everything Tonight” with Ne-Yo.

The choice makes sense for many reasons.

First, it represents Norwegian Cruise’s less than traditional cruising style. In the announcement, Norwegian Cruise Line said, “”reinforces Norwegian’s nontraditional cruising that focuses on freedom and flexibility for guests.” Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their “freestyle” cruising that gives guests the freedom to choose. Guests can dress up or down or they can dine in a different restaurant every night. So it only makes sense that this honorary position should be just as nontraditional as the cruise line’s style.

Second, Pitbull has already been a partner with Norwegian Cruise Line The artist performed at the inauguration of the Norwegian Getaway in 2014 and for the Nov 9 pier side inauguration of the Escape he will perform again.

“Pitbull has been an excellent partner and great friend to Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president. “A Miami native, he epitomizes and contributes to the energy, excitement and local flavor that our ships so proudly embody and we’re excited to build upon our relationship and have him serve in this special role as Godfather to Norwegian Escape.”

Currently being built at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Escape will sail weekly seven-day cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean beginning on November 14, 2015. The 164,600 gross ton ship will be the largest ever to home port year-round in Miami, carrying 4,200 guests to tropical Caribbean destinations including St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Escape’s signature hull artwork is designed by marine wildlife artist and champion of ocean conservation, Guy Harvey.