NCL pushes back launch of Norwegian Viva cruise ship

   June 16, 2022 ,   Accidents

Exactly a year from the scheduled launch date of Norwegian Viva, NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced the cancellation of the vessel’s first 2 voyages.

Sistership to Norwegian Prima (due to launch in August 2022), Viva's debut is now scheduled for July 2023. The Maiden Voyage departs on July 3, 2023, out of Trieste Italy.

In a letter to impacted guests, NCL wrote: 

“Today, we regretfully inform you that as a result of the global supply chain constraints impacting industries worldwide and the related downstream construction delays at the shipyard building our next class of ships, Norwegian Viva’s June 15, 2023 and June 24, 2023 sailings have been canceled.

“While these circumstances are entirely out of our control, we are nonetheless disappointed to come to this decision, which impacts your highly anticipated vacation.”

Harry Sommer (NCL's President) recently commented on the long-term impact the shortage of steel would have on shipbuilding over the next years.

Impacted customers will receive an automatic full refund processed back to the original form of payment.

Norwegian Viva cruise ship

Norwegian Prima - the first in NCL’s Prima Class, was also delayed due to supply chain issues, which forced NCL to cancel the maiden voyage on August 17.  

NCL's Prima and Viva are not the only ships to be delayed due to supply chain shortages and shipyard staffing issues. DCL's Disney Wish, which was due to launch this month, will now emerge in July, while Virgin's Resilient Lady, which was scheduled to launch in August has been delayed until 2023-Q2.