Published on September 12, 2025
In an breathtaking ceremony of education and dedication, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled nan winners of its 2025 Norwegian’s Giving Joy Program, a typical inaugural that recognizes nan singular contributions of educators crossed the United States and Canada. As portion of its ongoing committedness to honoring outstanding teachers, NCL awarded 20 educators pinch nan gift of a cruise for two, a token of appreciation for their unthinkable activity successful shaping nan minds of tomorrow’s leaders.
The Grand Prize winners were selected from complete 700 submissions, which included heartfelt stories of educators’ impact connected their communities and nan lives of their students. The winners travel from a divers scope of locations, including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and British Columbia, Canada.
This year’s Grand Prize winners, including a coach from Texas, Georgia, and Illinois, will group sail aboard nan Norwegian Luna during her three-day christening voyage from Miami successful spring 2026. In summation to nan cruise, nan programme besides includes round-trip flights, courtesy of Coca-Cola, NCL’s charismatic beverage partner, and educational content from nan Guy Harvey Foundation. The apical 3 winners’ schools will besides person generous donations, totaling complete $40,000.
Key Highlights of nan 2025 Norwegian’s Giving Joy Program:
- Grand Prize Winners:
- First Place: Joe Paneitz, Atascocita High School, Humble, Texas
- Second Place: Emily Banks, Mulberry Creek Elementary, Cataula, Georgia
- Third Place: Alexis Wellmaker, Dr. Maude A. Sanders Primary School, Peoria, Illinois
- Top Prize: Cruise aboard Norwegian Luna for nan three-day 2026 christening voyage from Miami
- Flights: Roundtrip flights provided by Coca-Cola, NCL’s charismatic beverage partner
- Donations: $40,000 successful schoolhouse donations to nan apical 3 winning educators’ schools
- Educational Partnership: Guy Harvey Foundation offering educational content and virtual training sessions for each 20 winners
The Norwegian’s Giving Joy Program has been an yearly contented since its launch, and this year, it continues to radiance a spotlight connected nan captious domiciled educators play successful shaping nan future. In its five-year history, nan programme has attracted nearly 62,000 coach nominations and awarded vacations to almost 300 educators, while besides donating complete $550,000 to schools crossed North America.
Celebrating nan Unsung Heroes of Education
The Norwegian’s Giving Joy Program is not conscionable astir nan expansive prizes; it’s a ceremony of nan immense dedication, passion, and sacrifice that teachers bring to their classrooms each day. As Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, states, “It’s our privilege to observe and grant nan unthinkable educators who thief style nan adjacent generation.” Through this program, NCL intends to show appreciation for nan teachers who make a quality successful their communities, providing them pinch an unforgettable flight that blends nan joys of travel, learning, and relaxation.
More than Just a Cruise: An Experience for nan Mind and Soul
The Norwegian Luna’s christening voyage promises to beryllium an bonzer acquisition for nan winners. As portion of their prize, they will not only bask nan luxurious amenities and world-class work connected committee nan vessel but will besides person nan chance to participate successful various exclusive events, each while making lifelong memories. This will beryllium a well-deserved break for nan winners, allowing them to unwind aft years of difficult activity and dedication to their students.
In summation to nan cruise, nan Guy Harvey Foundation, a partner of NCL and a nonprofit statement dedicated to marine conservation and education, is offering each 20 winners entree to their educational content and virtual training sessions. This collaboration intends to further enrich nan educators’ knowledge and connection a fun, engaging measurement to study astir marine life and sustainability—an important taxable that ties into nan values that NCL holds dear.
Expanding nan Impact: A Commitment to Education
The Norwegian’s Giving Joy Program is simply a portion of Norwegian Cruise Line’s broader committedness to supporting acquisition and nurturing a early procreation of leaders. By awarding vacations and donations to teachers and their schools, nan programme has made a tangible quality successful nan lives of educators and their communities. This year’s full donations of complete $40,000 will supply further resources and support to nan schools of nan apical 3 winners, further amplifying nan affirmative effect of nan program.
A Legacy of Giving Back to nan Community
Since its inception successful 2019, nan Norwegian’s Giving Joy Program has grown tremendously, pinch astir 62,000 nominations submitted successful nan past 5 years. Through nan generosity of its partners, including Coca-Cola and nan Guy Harvey Foundation, NCL has been capable to widen its gratitude to educators crossed North America and Canada, donating complete $550,000 to support schools and heighten acquisition opportunities for students.
The programme serves arsenic a reminder of nan value of giving back to those who selflessly springiness to others, and it continues to resonate pinch educators, parents, and students alike.
Conclusion: Honoring nan Heart of Education
The Norwegian’s Giving Joy Program highlights nan profound effect that educators person connected their communities and nan lives of their students. By awarding these deserving teachers pinch a luxury cruise and providing their schools pinch much-needed donations, NCL has created a lasting bequest of support and recognition. As Norwegian Cruise Line continues to innovate and lead pinch its committedness to acquisition and community, nan Giving Joy Program remains a sparkling illustration of really nan cruise manufacture tin play an important domiciled successful fostering meaningful change.