Most innovative ship for the Norwegian fleet sets sail

Bremerhaven/Papenburg (Germany), 25 April 2013 – Today, Norwegian Cruise Line (Miami, USA) took delivery of the 146.600 GT cruise ship Norwegian Breakaway from MEYER WERFT after a building period of only 18 months. Extensive tests and trials of all systems and intensive training of the crew kept everyone busy in the last weeks prior to the delivery in Bremerhaven.

Norwegian Breakaway is the first of two Breakaway class ships the Papenburg-based shipyard is building for Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Breakaway combines innovative design including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place with three unique decks of dining, enter-tainment and more, along with the largest aqua park and the largest ropes course at sea, along with the first ever salt room in the luxurious spa. Norwegian Getaway, the sister ship, will launch in Miami on February 1, 2014.

“We are elated to take ownership of this spectacular new vessel Norwegian Breakaway that has so many unique features, world-class entertainment and artfully designed staterooms,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting patiently. I am so proud of the team at MEYER WERFT and at Norwegian who worked tirelessly on our newest and most exciting ship.”

Along with its new design, this luxury liner offers guests a multitude of special features and comfort: approximately 75% of the staterooms are outside staterooms, most of them with their own balconies. The ship also includes staterooms designed and priced for solo travellers, con-tinuing the tradition that began on Norwegian Epic, along with The Haven by Norwegian, a top-of-the-ship complex that pampers guests with a range of suites, private restaurant, lounge, covered pool area and sun deck.

“We set out to deliver a ship that would really stand apart and our collaboration with the Norwegian team has been outstanding,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner with MEYER WERFT. “It’s quite an accomplishment to build a vessel of this size and calibre in just 18 months.”

The latest engine technology, the diesel-electric pod drive system, improved hydrodynamics as well as effective energy saving, heat recovery or ballast water treatment guarantee an eco-logical cruise experience at significantly reduced operating costs. In addition, the ship was de-signed according to the latest security regulations. The building of Norwegian Breakaway - with the building number S.678 was supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the federal state of Lower Saxony with an aid for innovation for a ship type design and the first use of innovative components.

Following today’s handover, Norwegian Breakaway will leave the port of Bremerhaven in Lower Saxony, heading for Rotterdam. Following several inaugural events, she will start her transatlantic cruise from Southampton to New York, where the naming ceremony will take place. On 12 May 2013 she will head to Bermuda to start her seven-day cruises.

Main Particulars - Norwegian BREAKAWAY -