by Donald Wood
Last updated: 4:46 PM ET, Tue August 18, 2015
Photo via Twitter/CruiseHangout
Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, had its official "float out" Saturday.
The 164,600-ton vessel was removed from the Meyer Werft covered building dock II in Papenburg, Germany, for the first time since production began in Sept. 2014.
The 4,200-passenger ship will be the largest in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet once it is officially put into service, and can be recognized by hull artwork designed by marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey. The ship measures 1,098 feet long and 136 feet wide, and is the first in the Breakaway Plus Class for Norwegian.
With most of the major structural work already completed, builders will shift into the final phase of construction before it is finally delivered on Oct. 22.
Norwegian Cruise Line's President and Chief Operating Officer Andy Stuart released a statement, saying, "Meyer Werft has done an excellent job with the construction of Norwegian Escape. The ship's float out brings us one step closer to bringing the next evolution of Freestyle Cruising to the world and we couldn't be more excited."
The official Twitter account of Norwegian shared an image of the massive vessel:
There is still work to be done, though. Not only does the interior need to be finalized in order to be ready for passengers, but the builders must also mount the ship's signature Norwegian Cruise Line funnel.
Her playground also has to be fitted, and it promises to be a singular experience. In addition to water slides, it will sport a three-story ropes course, slated to be the largest at sea when completed.
After the new ship finds its way to Europe and Miami for inaugural events, the Norwegian Escape will begin sailing seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises departing every Saturday from Miami beginning Nov. 14.
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