Wiesbaden, October 8, 2013 – Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that thanks to its Facebook fans around the globe, the names of the line’s two new Breakaway Plus-class ships are Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss. These names are the two that received the highest number of votes, out of the line’s top ten name prospects, in the “Norwegians Name Their Ships” contest, which asked fans in five countries to help select the names for the line’s two new Breakaway Plus vessels.

The contest, which ran from September 10 through September 24, 2013, garnered more than 100.000 votes from Norwegian fans located in five different countries, including the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.

“The response to our ‘Norwegians Name Their Ships’ contest was overwhelming,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s President and CEO. “It reaffirms that we have a very engaged and passionate community of Norwegians and we are thrilled with the names they have selected for our two new Breakaway Plus-class ships. Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss are two names that truly characterize our brand, Freestyle Cruising®, and the experience guests will have on board these fantastic new vessels.”

Norwegian’s new Breakaway Plus ships will be the largest in the line’s fleet at approximately 163.000 gross tons and 4.200 passenger berths each and will be similar in design and innovation to the line’s current Breakaway-class, the first of which, Norwegian Breakaway, launched in New York in early May and the second of which, Norwegian Getaway, will launch in January and arrive in her homeport of Miami in February.

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 revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites guests to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of 12 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise holiday on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. In August 2013, the line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the sixth consecutive year, as well as in September 2013 “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” and in December 2012 “World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010 and, in the United States, has been named “Best Overall Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly two years in a row and “Best Ship for Sea Days” by Cruise Critic. 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, The Second City®, Howl at the Moon Duelling 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.

The Company took delivery of its most innovative ship to date, the 4.000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway on April 25, 2013. Known as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest vessel to homeport year-round in the city, sailing to Bermuda for the summer beginning May 12, 2013. Norwegian Breakaway’s features include hull art by legendary artist Peter Max, seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by famed New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and fitness classes and a retrospective display from the ship’s iconic godmothers, the Rockettes®. The entertainment line-up includes three Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dreams & Dinner: Jungle Fantasy. Sister ship Norwegian Getaway, currently under construction at Meyer Werft will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami and will sail Eastern Caribbean voyages beginning in February 2014. The Company also has two larger “Breakaway Plus” vessels on order for delivery in autumn 2015 and spring 2017.

Source: ncl.eu