The Norwegian Cruise Lines unfurls its first NFT series next week, signaling its entry into the Metaverse.
The Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), one of the three largest cruise lines globally, has a reputation for innovating global cruise travel. They have a long history of breaking boundaries, and last Wednesday, they announced that they are again sailing into uncharted territory.
On April 6, the NCL said it would soon cruise into the Metaverse via its first NFT collection launch. The first series features six exclusive NFT art pieces. The auction for this collection will be on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 9 a.m. ET. Other pieces in the collection can be purchased from NCL’s soon-to-launch marketplace.
The auction and launch of the NFT collection will coincide with the launch of the company’s cutting-edge Norwegian Prima Class. It will sail in August 2022, departing from Reykjavik, Iceland, and offer voyages to Northern Europe from Amsterdam and Copenhagen, Denmark, beginning September 3. It will also have Caribbean itineraries from Galveston, Texas, Miami, and Orlando, Florida, starting October 27.
First NFT Collection for Norwegian Cruise Line
Italian artist Manuel Di Rita, or “Peeta,” created all six designs. He is the same artist who worked on the hull art of the record-breaking Norwegian Prima and its sister vessel, the Norwegian Viva (featured image above). Each of the six NFT arts will feature NCL’s hull art.
“We strive to adopt the most cutting-edge technology at Norwegian Cruise Line and strongly believe that providing our guests the opportunity to own digital assets that connect them with an unforgettable cruise experience is an essential step forward,” says Scott Piccolo, Chief Digital Experience Officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH). “We are incredibly proud to work with Peeta on the cruise industry’s first-ever NFT collection.”
The star of the auction will be the “Norwegian Prima Hull Art,” which highlights fluid shapes with imperceptible beginnings and ends, just like an ocean. The artists used blue swirls in the art to beautifully mimic the ocean’s ripples. It will be auctioned off at a starting price of $2,500. The five other NFTs will be sold for prices starting at $250.
The auction winner will also receive a balcony stateroom on one of Norwegian Prima’s US inaugural voyages, set to sail from NCL’s new PortMiami terminal in Miami, Florida.
“We are so excited to partner with Peeta on this first for our brand and for the industry. Peeta is a talented artist who has brought the magic and beauty of the ocean to our ships, so we are happy to share this with our guests and to donate the proceeds of this new venture to Teach For America, an organization and a cause very near and dear to our hearts.”
Harry Sommer, president and CEO of NCL
All for a Charitable Cause
The other five NFT pieces will showcase some of Peeta’s innovative 3D designs, including the secondary piece in the collection, “Relative Coordinates.” This piece portrays a rearrangement of the shapes used on the hull art of the two previously mentioned ships. This design will be proudly displayed on Norwegian Prima’s three-level Penrose Atrium.
All proceeds from the auction will go to Teach for America, a cause that is close to NCL’s heart. This non-profit organization finds, develops, and supports leaders who expand opportunities for children.
“Teach For America embraces innovation and industry leaders, and we are especially proud of the work Norwegian Cruise Line has done to celebrate and recognize teachers through its annual NCL Giving Joy campaign, which celebrates the intersection of travel and education,” said LaKeisha Wells-Palmer, Executive Director of Teach For America Miami-Dade. “We’re grateful for the commitment to education in our community. The proceeds from the sales of these beautiful NFTs will help Teach For America recruit and develop more teachers for students in Miami-Dade.”
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