Norwegian Escape breaks with tradition to pick rapper Pitbull as godfather

Aren’t cruise ships usually christened by godmothers? Yes, but Pitbull has pulled off a coup by being named to christen and perform at the rollout of Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest, baddest ship to hit the sea.

The Miami rapper, a.k.a. Armando Christian Perez, just finished a stint in Las Vegas. He’ll be the headlining performer at the Nov. 9 christening of the Norwegian Escape in Miami.

The ship will carry 4,200 passengers when it makes its maiden voyage Nov. 14 from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean. After that, it will sail seven-day cruises every week on a route that includes stops in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Before the sailing comes the port-side partying. Last year Pitbull performed at the christening of another of the line’s ships, the Norwegian Getaway. The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders were named godmothers of the Getaway.

Here are some things to know about the Escape:

--The sting rays, sea turtles, whale sharks and other Caribbean marine life were painted on the hull by marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey.

--You can walk the plank, which takes you eight feet out over the water (in a safety harness, of course) as part of a ropes course that spans three stories.

--The Mandara Spa boasts the first snow room at sea, which promises to keep temperatures at 21 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t worry, there’s also a sauna, salt room and thermal suite to keep you warm before you take the icy plunge.

--The ship has posh staterooms in an area called the Haven, a kind of cruise ship within a cruise ship concept. The Haven has its own lounge and restaurant too.

Info: Norwegian Escape

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