Norwegian Breakaway’s construction, underway at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany celebrated a very significant milestone in the early morning hours on Wednesday, October 17, when the ship’s bow was lowered into place. The bow, known as block 73, weighed 361 tons, measured approximately 22 metres long, 31 metres wide and 12 metres high. The process of putting the bow in place was efficiently completed in just 30 minutes. This significant step represents the completion of the lower part of the steel hull, those areas that come in contact with the sea, and indicates that only the superstructures, or topsides of the ship, remain to be finalized.

“Placing the bow is a very symbolic and momentous step in the building of Norwegian Breakaway,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer. “Meyer Werft is doing an incredible job of constructing our most ground-breaking ship to date in record time.”

Entering service in April 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will sail from her year-round homeport of New York City to Bermuda in the summer and the Bahamas & Florida and the Caribbean in the winter.

Norwegian Breakaway
The 4.000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway will arrive in her year-round homeport of New York City in early May 2013. The ship will begin weekly summer 7-night cruises to Bermuda on Sunday, May 12, 2013. From October 2013 through April 2014, New York’s ship will offer voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas & Florida and the Southern Caribbean.

To date, the company has revealed the ship’s ground-breaking design, including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place; a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests’ connection with the ocean. Norwegian Breakaway’s entertainment will include three Broadway shows: five-time Tony nominated ROCK OF AGES; the dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR; and CIRQUE DREAMS & DINNER JUNGLE FANTASY. The famed comedy troupe The Second City, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos, and New York’s own Slam Allen will also perform on the vessel. Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will also debut his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian.

The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway will feature the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-storey sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

The ship will also 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; 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.

For more information on the incredible features and accommodation choices on Norwegian Breakaway visit www.breakaway.ncl.eu.

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 45-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 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons, 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