by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 11:00 PM ET, Wed February 22, 2017
Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed plans to build at least four new ships beyond its Breakaway Plus-class currently under construction, and another two of the next generation are on option. Very little is known about the upcoming vessels as of yet, but they are already departing from the company's previous models.
The vast majority of Norwegian's current fleet was constructed in Germany, at either Lloyd Werft or Meyer Werft. Only the Norwegian Epic was built outside of the country by STX France in Saint-Nazaire. However, every Norwegian ship since the Epic in 2010 has been built in Papenburg, Germany by Meyer. That is until now. Following the Norwegian Bliss slated for Alaska in 2018 and another sister-ship in 2019, the next four will be the line's first built by Fincantieri in Italy.
The reason for a shipyard change can come down to one or more of several factors. The company may have secured more attractive financing at a different one, or there may have been a scheduling conflict. With so many new cruise ships under construction in the next decade, it might just be that Meyer Werft could not slip another four to six ships in its building calendar in the near future.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Norwegian Cruise Line Places Order for Four New Ships[/READMORE]
As it stands, one each of the new class of ships is set to launch in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The options beyond are slated potentially for 2026 and 2027. Currently, it's not known exactly which of Fincantieri's Italian facilities will manufacture the vessels, but it could be several as the company has been splitting duties for other recent ships.
All that is for sure of the next ship generation is that each will measure in at 140,000 gross tons with a capacity of 3,300 guests. While they are said to build on the Breakaway Plus-class offerings first established with the Norwegian Escape, they will, in fact, be smaller in overall size, taking a step down from the latter class' 167,800 gross tons and 4,000 passengers. The last time Norwegian went smaller for a new ship was following Norwegian Epic's 155,873 gross tons and 4,100 guests to the Norwegian Breakaway's 146,600 gross tons and 4,028 guests, but that soon ticked back up to exceed the Epic.
Why Norwegian would opt to go smaller again is not yet fully understood, but it is not the only company doing so. Celebrity Cruises' next Edge-class of ships are also scheduled to be less large than its preceding Solstice-class ones. Often times, it's all about finding that sweet spot of efficiency and guest satisfaction. In fact, while Celebrity's scale is decreasing, its capacity is not. Its new ships will actually carry a few more passengers than the Celebrity Solstice.
[READMORE]READ MORE: TravelPulse On Board: Norwegian Escape Review[/READMORE]
In either case, Norwegian's new ships will be based on a prototype design said to be innovative with "first at sea" features. Once the first comes online, remaining vessels may soon grow as is very common. The Breakaway-class led to the Breakaway Plus-class, and even MSC Cruises' new Meraviglia-class has already evolved into the Meraviglia Plus-class as well.
Just what the innovations and firsts at sea will be are to be determined.
Will the ships still showcase the line's now signature Waterfront al fresco boardwalk, and will they carry on with the larger observation lounges incorporated on the next Norwegian Bliss? They may perhaps, but neither of those is new.
In the past, Norwegian has innovated with waterslides and other outdoor attractions like the go-kart track on the upcoming Norwegian Joy for China. Maybe it will be the first cruise line to install a roller coaster at sea. If nothing else, one can be sure it will raise the bar in dining as the company is well known for its abundance of choice already. Whether for dining or activities, cruise travelers are always hungry for more.
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