Premise

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is giving away free cruises to teachers! In this article by Travel and Leisure, it talks more details about the Giving Joy Campaign. What an amazing, uplifting gesture, designed to bring positive PR and social media engagement, so not entirely altruistic. But, it’s the thought that count, and their desire to recognize / reward powerful teachers in the United States and Canada should be applauded. Although, cruise lines make the majority of their money on onboard expenditures, so a “free” cruise will still cost.

This is done in the spirit of Teacher Appreciation Week in early May, and the debut of NCL’s Norwegian Joy in North America.

a cruise ship in the water

from NCL / PRNewsWire site

 

Details

  • Campaign runs from March 12 to April 12, 2019 – just one month.
  • Nominations requested at http://nclgivingjoy.com for certified/accredited US or CAN teachers
  • Nominations can be of teachers or by teachers, for themselves

Of course, submissions require just a little bit of work on the teacher’s behalf, especially per the terms and conditions below:

Submission Guidelines: Each Submission must:

i. Include the required essay.
a. The essay must be the Nominator’s original work.
b. The essay must be no longer than 250 words
c. The essay must be in English
ii. Include the required photograph of the Nominee you are nominating; and
iii. Have the permission of the Nominee to have the Nominee’s name and photograph/likeness entered into the Contest.

 

a white and blue text on a white background

From Contest Site

 

Selection Process

  • Per the website “Share your submission on social media to encourage more votes and support Giving Joy!”
  • 15 teachers with most votes win a seven-day cruise for two.
  • They also win airfare/accommodations for an award ceremony in Seattle on May 3, 2019
  • They will compete there for $15,000 for their school.

Grand prize will also include inviting the winner’s principal and school superintendent, each with one additional guest, to the gala in Seattle on May 3, 2019. The principal / superintendent and their guests will not receive a free cruise, only the finalist / teacher.

a man standing in front of a classroom

Shaping the future of the planet!

 

Conclusion

What a nice promotion to celebrate key educators in our lives, or the lives of our loved ones. I know I certainly wouldn’t have gotten to where I am or challenged myself nearly as much without the help, advise, and strength of several key teachers throughout my life.

Total ARV per the terms & conditions is $83,000 which is great – each finalist cruise + invitation is about $4,000, with the grand prize being worth about $27,000. Although, I do have a lot of questions. For example, all winners have to pay the port fees, taxes, and cruise gratuities. Why aren’t those included in this giveaway? It seems a shame to be all about “honoring teachers” with a “free cruise” only to have them find out that they’ll have to pay hundreds in taxes and fees, not to mention transportation costs to and from their homes cities to ports. Overall, it’s a nice thought, but it could have better execution and be more all inclusive in nature.

 

 

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