Norwegian Cruise Line board members, executives and officials from Meyer Werft took part in the Keel Laying Ceremony of Norwegian Getaway at the ship yard in Papenburg, Germany on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. During the official ceremony, block number 34, the first of 73 blocks that will comprise the 146.600 gross ton vessel was lifted into the covered building dock, marking the start of the block assembly.
Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s President and Chief Executive Officer, laid the traditional "lucky coin," before the first block, weighing 530 tons, was put in place. A special commemorative coin featuring the ship was created to celebrate the day’s activities.
“We are beyond excited to start construction of Norwegian Getaway, sister ship to Norwegian Breakaway,” said Sheehan. “The start of the block assembly is an extremely significant milestone and we eagerly anticipate the delivery of Norwegian Getaway in mid-January 2014.”
Norwegian Getaway is the second Breakaway-class ship being built by Meyer Werft utilising a more efficient construction process which will deliver a ship of more than 146.000 gross tons in just over 12 months.
“Today we placed the first of the 73 blocks that form the structure of the ship,” said Bernard Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft. “We are proud to begin the construction of Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Breakaway-class ship and to continuing our partnership with one of the most innovative cruise lines in the world.”
Norwegian Getaway will begin weekly 7-night cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on Sunday, February 1, 2014. The ship will be the largest ship to home port year-round in Miami, carrying 4.000 guests to tropical Caribbean destinations including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
Norwegian Getaway will feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven by Norwegian™, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship and 22 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travellers; a wide range of inside, oceanview and balcony staterooms as well as Mini Suites; Spa Balcony staterooms, Spa Mini Suites and Spa Suites in close proximity to the spa.
About Meyer Werft GmbH
Founded in 1795, Papenburg-based Meyer Werft has been owned by the sixth generation of the Meyer family. This well-established company has approximately 2.500 employees. Meyer Werft’s extensive production program covers a wide range of ship types, from cruise ships, gas tankers, livestock carriers to car and passenger ferries. In order to stay successful in worldwide competition, production technology has been continuously improved and extended. Today, Meyer Werft has the most modern production premises in the shipbuilding industry. For more information, go to www.meyerwerft.com.
About Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line is an internationally operating cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida with two offices in Wiesbaden and London overseeing operations in Europe.
Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 46-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility. In October 2011 the company launched its new brand platform “Cruise like a Norwegian” that celebrates the community of diverse holiday makers who are passionate about their experiences and highlights the key elements of Freestyle Cruising.
Today, Norwegian Cruise Line has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing the guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise holiday on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The company has two 4.000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, under construction for delivery in April 2013 and January 2014, along with one larger “Breakaway Plus” vessel for delivery in autumn 2015.
Norwegian’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. In the 2013/14 season, the cruise line will have four ships sailing in European waters. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert®, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos and Nickelodeon™, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams® & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top.
In October 2012, the cruise line received the World Travel Award as “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the fifth year running.
Source & Photo: www.ncl.com
