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Katy Perry names Norwegian Prima in Reykjavik and puts on a show

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Godmother Katy Perry officially names Norwegian Prima, accompanied on stage by Frank Del Rio, Harry Sommer and Elvis Duran
Superstar Katy Perry was only getting started when she officially named Norwegian Prima during Norwegian Cruise Line festivities in Reykjavik, Iceland Saturday.

After smashing the Champagne she changed into a red latex bodysuit and fringed chaps to perform hit after hit — 'California Gurls,' 'Firework,' 'Roar' and many more — on the Prima Theater stage that had sprouted giant red and white mushrooms.

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Katy Perry performs in the Prima Theater

The night before Perry and Orlando Bloom celebrated their 2-year-old daughter's Daisy's birthday on the ship — 'One of my best family birthdays ever,' Perry said — and they will be cruising with Norwegian Prima as it sets off to Ireland.

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Katy Perry wows the crowd

The singer called it a 'bucket list' trip.

Her lengthy set capped a rich christening program that laced humorous moments with emotional ones.

Knut Kloster tribute

NCL paid tribute its founder and one of the fathers of modern cruising, the late Knut Kloster.

'For my father, like generations before him, the ocean represented opportunity ... and cruising brought people together,' said his daughter, Kristin Kloster Aasen, to a standing ovation.

The show opened with a funny video of NCL President and CEO Harry  Sommer 'helping' the crew get Norwegian Prima ready — hanging a painting (upside down), making a stateroom bed (sort of) and mixing a cocktail (to comic effect). Sommer also invited crew to the stage as the audience cheered.

Icelandic musician and 2021 Eurovision contestant Daði Freyr performed a frisky musical set. US radio personality Elvis Duran, the godfather of Norwegian Bliss, said a few words.

Frank Del Rio strikes an emotional chord

Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, struck an emotional chord.

'There's a lot to celebrate,' Del Rio said as he spoke of the 'wonderful, almost surreal feeling to see so many familiar faces and lots of new ones' in the audience as the cruise industry emerges from 'one of the most difficult periods we'll ever face in our lifetime.'

Everyone present faced uncertainty but had 'one thing in common: You never, ever gave up,' Del Rio said. 'After this experience, I hope we all realize how much we need each other.'

He acknowledged travel advisors, loyal guests, trade media, Fincantieri leaders, NCLH Chairman Russell Galbut and the board, Sommer and the 36,000 NCLH employees.

Del Rio talked about the crew being grounded for 500 days when the company  had 'no revenue and them not earning their livelihoods. Every day that would break my heart,' he said.

But now 'We're back.' The fleet is in service and three new ships are coming in 2023: Norwegian Viva, Oceania Cruises' Vista and Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Grandeur.

'Everyone's going to win'

Those and more spell $9bn in new tonnage for NCLH and 'We'll grow in a sustainable manner,' Del Rio said. 'Everyone's going to win. That's why we're here. To be profitable and provide jobs ...

'... Today is the onset to a bright future as the public's pent-up demand for travel coincides with our growth.'

Special thanks

For Norwegian Prima, Del Rio thanked Sommer, Fincantieri's Pierroberto Folgiero, Luigi Matarazzo and Maurizio Cergol; newbuild project manager Marco Pastorino; interior designers Studio DADO, Piero Lissoni and Rockwell Group; NCL SVP Hotel Operations Mark Kansley and his team and 'the guy who deserves the most credit,' EVP Vessel Operations Robin Lindsay, 'our quarterback.'