Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the winners of its fifth-annual Giving Joy Program, which recognizes deserving educators throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Each of the 20 winners receive an exclusive invitation to a two-day inaugural event in Boston for Norwegian Aqua from April 4th to 6th, as the vessel makes her U.S. debut. Additionally, the top five Grand Prize winners will be invited aboard the vessel’s three-night christening voyage, sailing from Miami on April 13, 2025.

“Giving Joy is a program near and dear to our hearts at Norwegian Cruise Line,” said David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line. “It is an honor to congratulate the 20 incredible educators, who passionately serve their communities, with experiences on board Norwegian Aqua. These amazing teachers are shaping the future of the next generation, and I am thrilled to be able to showcase the brand new Norwegian Aqua with them; sharing the enrichments that bridge the connection between education and travel.”

NCL’s month-long 2024 Giving Joy contest launched during this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week in May, garnering over thousands of votes with winners from Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Washington, and Newfoundland, Canada.

The top five grand prize winners with the most votes were:

• Larry Knight Jr. from Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, Fla.
• Debra Golding from Westglades Middle School in Parkland, Fla.
• Shawn Miller from Loveland High School in Loveland, Ohio
• Bradley Gardner from Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
• Nancy Altimore from City of Pembroke Pines Charter High School-Academic Village in Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Giving Joy contest highlights the connection between travel and education, celebrating and commemorating the commitments that teachers have to enlighten the minds of their students. Since 2019, the campaign has received over 60,000 teacher nominations, more than 1.8 million votes, and awarded over 270 educators with a cruise vacation. The line has also donated upwards of $445,000 to teachers and their schools with support from its partners.

Building upon its history of supporting educators through the Giving Joy program, earlier this summer NCL debuted a year-round Teacher Cruise Discount. All education professionals including active classroom teachers, principals and assistant principals, school employees, and college professors can enjoy a five percent discount off any NCL voyage from anywhere in the world, as well as a $50 onboard credit.

To learn more about the 20 winners, click here.

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