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.

Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection brought together creativity and celebration with an exclusive Signature Bar Takeover at Fuze Bar, featuring Indian mixologist Ami Shroff. The two-day experience was curated to mark the spirit of global celebrations that honour women and their achievements, creating a space that blended craft, conversation, and connection.

Set along the calm coastal surroundings of Bentota, the evening offered guests a relaxed yet lively atmosphere. The specially curated cocktail menu showcased a mix of familiar flavours with creative twists, while subtle flair bartending added a touch of movement and charm to the experience. Ami’s presence behind the bar stood out for its ease and confidence, engaging guests while keeping the focus on the overall experience.

The following day, the celebration continued with a hands-on workshop led by Ami for the resort’s Food & Beverage team and young hospitality enthusiasts. The session focused on practical techniques, emerging trends, and the basics of cocktail making, offering valuable insights into the evolving world of mixology.

Recognised as one of India’s pioneering female mixologists, Ami Shroff has built a strong presence in the industry over more than two decades. She has played an important role in shaping modern bar culture in India, combining performance with technical skill. Her achievements include being named Mixologist of the Year at the INCA Awards in 2019, and she is widely known for encouraging innovation while supporting greater female representation in the field.

The event at Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection highlighted mixology as an engaging and collaborative part of hospitality, while also celebrating Women’s Day through a meaningful and well-curated experience.

The Anam Cam Ranh has introduced a new degustation menu at its fine dining restaurant, The Colonial, offering a fresh take on Vietnamese cuisine with global influences. Designed to bring together different flavours and textures, the new menu reflects a creative approach to modern dining.

Curated by chefs Duy Anh Nguyen and Banh Thanh Toan, the six-course experience is served at The Colonial, a space known for its elegant setting with an open kitchen, grand piano, and a courtyard surrounded by lush gardens. Guests also have the option to enjoy a curated wine pairing alongside the meal.

The dining journey begins with an amuse-bouche that includes a giant clam with sausage and daikon jams, miso cauliflower sauce, herbs and salmon roe, along with Vietnamese beef tartare paired with caramelised cashew fish sauce, crispy garlic, and betel leaf. This is followed by a starter of Hokkaido scallop ceviche with pink pomelo, yellow tangerine, Wakame cracker, kimchi broth, and imperial caviar.

The soup course features poached buttermilk Black Cod fish served with ponzu caramelized onion, green chilli kosho, and a creamy caviar relish sauce. A refreshing laska lime sorbet is then served to cleanse the palate before moving on to the main course.

For the main, guests are served grain 150-day Black Angus tenderloin with eggplant puree and beef jus infused with homemade chili and basil. It is accompanied by Vietnamese ST25 fragrant rice with corn and green beans, bringing a balanced mix of local and global elements to the plate.

The experience concludes with a dessert of dark chocolate custard made with 75% cacao, paired with fermented coffee sauce and coconut ice-cream, offering a rich and satisfying finish. Wines from Italy, Australia, Chile, France, and Portugal are available as part of the optional pairing, complementing each course.

“We set out to push the boundaries by pairing Vietnamese ingredients with international flavours and techniques in unexpected ways,” Mr Duy Anh said. “The menu is about contrast,  delicate and bold, familiar and surprising, coming together in a way that tells a contemporary story of Vietnamese cuisine.”

The Colonial, inspired by Vietnam’s Indochine-era design, focuses on modern European and French cuisine with subtle Vietnamese influences. By day, it serves as a premium breakfast venue and club lounge for select guests, and by night, it transforms into a fine dining destination.

Adding to its recognition, The Anam Cam Ranh was recently featured among the 100 best hotels in the world on Fodor’s Finest Hotels list for 2025, further highlighting its growing presence in the global hospitality space.