UNSUNG HEROES: NCL touts teachers with annual recognition program

In honour of the countless devoted educators across North America, Norwegian Cruise Line is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week this week (May 2-6) with the relaunch of its “Norwegian’s Giving Joy” program, which invites the public to nominate favourite educators for a chance to win free cruises and up to $25,000 for their schools.

The annual educator recognition program will reward the top 100 teachers across the Canada and the US will win an exclusive sailing aboard NCL’s newest ship, Norwegian Prima, and three grand prize winners will win up to $25,000 for their school.

The annual program, designed to highlight the connection between travel and education and to recognize teachers for their unwavering dedication to inspiring students every day, has awarded 130 teachers across the North America with free cruises and over $185,000 to schools since 2019. This year, 100 teachers will win at trip on Norwegian Prima during its inaugural five-day sailing from Galveston, Texas from Oct. 27-31.

“We’re so proud to celebrate educators, the unsung heroes of our communities, with our Norwegian’s Giving Joy program,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “After receiving more than 46,000 nominations and over one million votes within the first year of this contest, we knew this was a worthy cause that is near and dear to people’s hearts. Teachers are tenacious, they are inspiring, and more than anything, they are dream makers.”

The month-long campaign runs from May 2 through June 3 with the top 100 educators with the most votes being awarded the cruise in October. In addition, the top three grand prize winners will receive an additional seven-day voyage for two from the US or Canada, as well as a $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 donation respectively for their school.

Through June 3, members of the public can nominate and vote for a deserving teacher HERE.