Norwegian Orders Two More Big Ships

PHOTO: Norwegian Cruise Line now has four ships on order that will be larger than the Norwegian Breakaway, pictured. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Cruise Line placed an order for two 164,600-ton, 4,200-passenger Breakaway-Plus ships from Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2019.

The Freestyle Cruising line now has four Breakaway-Plus ships on order at a cost of about €3 billion (about US$4 billion). The first one, Norwegian Escape, is scheduled for delivery in October 2015, and will be followed by Norwegian Bliss in spring 2017.

The Breakaway-Plus ships are slightly larger than the Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway, which accommodate 4,000 passengers and measure 146,000 tons in size.

“Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have proven themselves as industry game-changers and are extremely popular with our guests,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “It was only natural that we build on their success with this new ship order that further solidifies our long-term growth strategy.”

The two Breakaway-class ships are notable for their waterfront decks that house restaurants, including one by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and several bars. They also have a large theater for Broadway-style productions. The Getaway also has a venue called Illusionarium for a magic show.

The Norwegian Breakaway is homeported in New York and entered service in May 2013, followed by Miami-based Norwegian Getaway in February 2014.