Norwegian Cruise Line has officially christened Norwegian Luna, its newest vessel, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s continued expansion in global cruise travel. The ceremony took place in Miami, bringing together over 2,000 guests to celebrate the ship’s debut.

The christening ceremony followed maritime tradition, including the ceremonial breaking of a bottle against the ship’s hull to bless the vessel for safe journeys. The event also featured Norwegian Luna’s godmother and renowned street artist ELLE, who created the ship’s signature hull artwork titled “La Luna,” inspired by the connection between humanity and the cosmos.

Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line, said, “Norwegian Luna represents the evolution of NCL, a brand built on freedom, flexibility and delivering experiences that resonate with every type of traveler.” He highlighted the ship’s mix of family-friendly attractions and adult-exclusive experiences designed for multigenerational travel.

Measuring 1,056 feet in length and accommodating up to 3,565 guests, Norwegian Luna offers a wide range of onboard experiences. These include the Aqua Slidecoaster, the longest and fastest slides at sea, along with attractions like the Glow Court, Luna Game Zone, and Horizon Park. New additions such as Luna Midway and Moon Climber further enhance its appeal for families and groups.

Entertainment onboard includes productions like “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John,” a tribute to the legendary Elton John, as well as immersive shows like “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder” and “LunaTique,” a late-night experience inspired by Las Vegas-style performances.

The ship also features a wide range of accommodations, from solo cabins to luxury suites in The Haven by Norwegian, along with 17 dining venues offering global cuisines and 18 bars and lounges catering to diverse tastes.

From April 2026 through April 2027, Norwegian Luna will sail round-trip Caribbean itineraries, visiting destinations such as Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye. These resort-style destinations offer enhanced experiences, including waterparks, exclusive beach clubs, and immersive leisure activities.

Following its Miami season, the ship will operate from New York starting April 2027, offering round-trip cruises to Bermuda with extended port stays for a more immersive travel experience.

With Norwegian Luna, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to push the boundaries of cruise travel, offering a blend of innovation, entertainment, and destination-driven experiences for travellers worldwide.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of Vikas Chawla as President – India & Southwest Asia, a newly created senior leadership role effective April 1, 2026. The move reflects Hyatt’s strong focus on accelerating growth and strengthening its brand presence in one of its most important markets.

The appointment comes at a time when Hyatt is witnessing strong development momentum in India, with continued expansion across key urban and leisure destinations. In his new role, Chawla will lead the company’s overall strategy, growth, and performance across India and Southwest Asia.

He will report to David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific at Hyatt. Sharing his views, Udell said, “The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in India and our commitment to this market. As we enter our next phase of growth, Vikas’ extensive experience and entrepreneurial leadership will bring the fresh knowledge, skills and abilities required at the top of our organization in India. His deep understanding of the Indian consumer will be pivotal to drive our strategic growth in this critical market.”

With over three decades of global leadership experience in food and beverage and consulting, Chawla brings a strong track record in building brands, scaling businesses, and driving strategic expansion. His expertise aligns with Hyatt’s evolution into a more insights-led and brand-focused organization.

Expressing his thoughts on the new role, Chawla said, “I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India. Hyatt’s strong brand portfolio, exceptional talent, and commitment to delivering meaningful guest experiences create tremendous opportunity. My ambition is to further develop Hyatt’s portfolio, making it the most preferred hospitality brand amongst discerning travelers in India, the best hospitality brand to work for in India, and to become a significant pillar of growth for Hyatt’s global portfolio.”

India continues to be a key growth market for Hyatt in Asia Pacific, driven by rising demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining. This growth is reflected in the company’s expanding pipeline, with deals signed contributing nearly 5,000 rooms across India and Southwest Asia.

Building on its existing portfolio of 55 hotels across nine brands in the region, Hyatt is also set to introduce the Destination by Hyatt brand in India. The debut property, Hari Bagh Jaipur, is expected to open in 2026, marking the brand’s entry into Asia Pacific and becoming the third Hyatt hotel in Jaipur.

Looking ahead, Hyatt plans to strengthen its presence in major gateway cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad, while also expanding into high-growth leisure destinations, spiritual hubs, and emerging tier-two and tier-three cities across India and Southwest Asia.

Sachin Malhotra has been appointed as the Multi-Property General Manager for Kochi Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport, and Port Muziris Kochi, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, effective April 1, 2026.

A seasoned hospitality professional, Sachin brings over two decades of experience across leading hotel brands, including Hyatt, The Leela, and Accor. His expertise spans revenue and sales management, hotel operations, and understanding evolving guest expectations across diverse markets.

He joined Marriott International in 2021 as Hotel Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Lucknow. In 2022, he was promoted to General Manager and later received the APEC Leadership Excellence Award 2023, recognising his contribution to the hotel’s growth, strong market performance, and overall success.

In 2024, Sachin took over as General Manager of Kochi Marriott Hotel, where he successfully repositioned the property as a preferred destination for urban travellers. His strong understanding of the Kochi market is expected to play a key role in strengthening Marriott’s presence across the city in his expanded leadership role.

Sharing his thoughts on the new responsibility, he said, “I’m honored to take on this expanded role and excited about what lies ahead. Our focus remains on people, performance, and delivering excellence and true value across our partners and stakeholders.”

Beyond work, Sachin enjoys reading and travelling, interests that continue to shape his leadership style and broaden his perspective.

With this appointment, Marriott International further strengthens its leadership in Kochi, positioning its portfolio for continued growth and enhanced guest experiences.