Norwegian Cruise Line Awards 20 Deserving Educators Across the U.S. and Canada with a Relaxing and Well-Deserved Cruise for Two
Top Three Grand Prize Winners Also Invited to Sail on NCL’s Newest Ship, Norwegian LunaTM, During Her Christening Voyage from Miami in Spring 2026 visiting Great Stirrup Cay, the Company’s Redefined Private Island in the Bahamas
Today, Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, proudly announced the winners of its annual Norwegian’s Giving Joy® Program, where 20 educators are being awarded with a rejuvenating cruise for two, and with the top three Grand Prize winners receiving an exclusive invitation to sail aboard the soon-to-debut Norwegian Luna™ during her three-day christening voyage from Miami in spring 2026.
“At Norwegian Cruise Line, it’s our privilege to celebrate and honor the incredible educators who help shape the next generation,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “It’s been a pleasure to recognize these hardworking teachers with our annual recognition program, which celebrates educators’ excellence and unwavering dedication to their students and their commitment to bringing joy to the classroom. We also want to thank our incredible judging panel who reviewed each heartfelt story. These educators have made an enormous difference in their communities, and now it’s their time to unwind and enjoy a meaningful escape, one that brings together the best of travel, learning, and well-earned joy.”
The program received over 700 heartwarming submissions, culminating in the selection of winners from across the U.S., including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and British Columbia, Canada.
The top three Grand Prize winners, who will be one of the very first to experience NCL’s newest ship, Norwegian Luna, and the new amenities at Great Stirrup Cay, the Company’s private island in the Bahamas, are:
- First Place: Joe Paneitz from Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas
- Second Place: Emily Banks from Mulberry Creek Elementary in Cataula, Ga.
- Third Place: Alexis Wellmaker from Dr. Maude A. Sanders Primary School in Peoria, Ill.
“At Norwegian Cruise Line, it’s our privilege to celebrate and honor the incredible educators who help shape the next generation. It’s been a pleasure to recognize these hardworking teachers with our annual recognition program, which celebrates educators’ excellence and unwavering dedication to their students and their commitment to bringing joy to the classroom. We also want to thank our incredible judging panel who reviewed each heartfelt story. These educators have made an enormous difference in their communities, and now it’s their time to unwind and enjoy a meaningful escape, one that brings together the best of travel, learning, and well-earned joy.” said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
The Grand Prize winners and their guests will experience the christening of Norwegian Luna, sister ship to the all-new Norwegian AquaTM, in Miami this upcoming spring. Norwegian Luna will mirror Norwegian Aqua’s innovative design, including the NCL exclusive Aqua Slidecoaster, a first-of-its-kind hybrid roller coaster and waterslide. As a leader in the industry of providing guests with variety of choice and the freedom and flexibility to design their ultimate vacation, the winners will also have a chance to enjoy new dining and bar experiences such as Sukhothai, the Company’s Thai specialty restaurant with an eclectic menu of traditional and creative offerings, and Planterie, the brand’s plant-based eatery at Indulge Food Hall.
During the sailing, the teachers will visit Great Stirrup Cay and experience brand-new enhancements including an expansive 1.4-acre pool area featuring a heated and oversized pool, an abundance of loungers, two swim-up bars, and more.
Additionally, as part of the 2025 Norwegian’s Giving Joy campaign prize package, Coca-Cola®, NCL’s official beverage partner, has graciously donated roundtrip flights for each winner; and The Guy Harvey Foundation, a NCL partner and nonprofit organization committed to marine conservation and education, is providing all 20 winning educators with access to their educational content and a complimentary virtual training session. Inspired by the principles of Norwegian’s Giving Joy annual teacher recognition program, NCL partners have also contributed over $40,000 to date that will be donated to the school of the top three Grand Prize winners.
Participating partners include:
- Alfa Laval Inc.
- Apollo Export Warehouse
- Bourne Group
- Calev Systems
- De Wave
- Gerolamo Scorza Spa
- Interglobo
- Lasvit Inc.
- RGB Electrical Services & Supplies Inc.
- Samsung
- Sangiorgio Export
- Scanship Americas, Inc.
- Tecnavi S.R.L.
- Weaver Manufacturing Co. Inc.
- Wingeco S.R.L
None of this would be possible without the support of a distinguished three-person panel of NCL brand partners and leaders who carefully selected this year’s winners. The panel consisted of Mandy Goddard of Cruise by Mandy travel agency; Sara Harsh, director of strategic partnership marketing strategy at The Coca-Cola Company; and Katty Byrd, senior vice president of guest services of Norwegian Cruise Line. The panelists evaluated the nominations based on how each teacher made a lasting impact on the lives of students and their community; was recognized by their peers for their passion and dedication to the world of education; and lastly on their adaptability to overcome challenges and find creative and novel approaches to further the education of their students. To learn more about the 20 winners and their heartwarming stories, click here.
Since its launch in 2019, Norwegian’s Giving Joy campaign has received nearly 62,000 teacher nominations; awarded nearly 300 deserving educators with a vacation of a lifetime; and donated over $550,000 to teachers and their schools with the support from NCL’s valued partners.
In addition to the Giving Joy program, NCL continues to support educators year-round through its Teacher Cruise Discount which offers verified teachers and staff across the U.S. and Canada an exclusive year-round cruise fare discount and onboard credit. With this discount, all education professionals, including active classroom teachers (PreK-12), principals and assistant principals (PreK-12), school employees (PreK-12) and college/university professors can enjoy a five percent discount off any NCL voyage from anywhere in the world, as well as a $50 onboard credit to enhance their cruise vacation. To learn more, please visit www.ncl.com/teachers.
Next April, Norwegian Luna will offer a season of seven-day Eastern Caribbean roundtrip sailings from Miami to the breathtaking destinations of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Line is currently enhancing Great Stirrup Cay and by the end of 2025 the island will feature a new pier, a heated pool and an updated welcome center to improve guest arrival and accessibility. In 2026, the island will debut the Great Tides Waterpark, covering nearly six acres and offering 19 water slides, a dynamic river, cliffside jump features, a children’s splash zone and additional amenities designed to expand the island’s recreational and relaxation offerings – bringing something new for everyone to the island.
For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line or to book a cruise, please visit www.ncl.com or call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or contact a travel professional.