Norwegian Getaway to Become Floating Hotel for 2016 Olympics in Rio

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway will be doing just that next month when it takes an extended break from its regular cruising schedule to serve as a floating hotel for the 2016 Olympics’ organizing committee in Rio de Janeiro, USA Today reported.

The cruise ship will take 40 days off to head to Brazil and spend more than two weeks berthed at Rio’s Pier Maua.

From Aug. 4 to Aug. 22, the 4,000-passenger vessel will house corporate sponsors, members of the International Olympic Federation, the National Organizing Committees, the Rio Host Committee and other guests.

While the extended summer break means six fewer cruises for Norwegian, the Miami-based cruise line stands to benefit from not only charter income, but exposure to an influential group of guests. According to travel agency Landry & Kling via USA Today, the charter is the largest in the company’s history.

Launched in 2014, the Norwegian Getaways is the cruise line’s newest Breakaway Class cruise ship, joining the Norwegian Breakaway.

Although this will be the ship’s first Olympic appearance, it won’t be its first stint serving as a hotel. During the week of Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 it was temporarily rechristened the “Bud Light Hotel” while docked at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal.