NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY Has Left The Building
NCL’s NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY, the largest ship ever constructed in Germany, was floated out of Meyer Weft’s covered building dock II this morning in Papenburg, Germany.
The 146,600-ton ship has been under construction since September 2011. Starting about 7 am (local time), the massive 4,000 passenger ship departed building dock II. NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY has an overall length of 324 meters, and is 39.70 meters wide.
From NCL’s release: “Norwegian Breakaway represents a significant achievement both for Meyer Weft and Norwegian Cruise Line in terms of innovation and design,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer. “Celebrating her float out today brings us closer to her much-anticipated delivery on April 25 when she will make her debut in Europe before arriving in her homeport of New York City on May 7. We can’t wait.”
“This new vessel is a further milestone for us. Its construction complies with the latest safety standards, and the ship meets all valid environmental regulations. Beyond that Norwegian Breakaway includes a lot of unique design elements and technical innovations,” said Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of Meyer Weft.
Following the float out, tests were carried out in the harbour where the ship was berthed at the yard’s outfitting pier. On March 4, the first crew members will come on board, and begin to familiarize themselves with the ship, readying her for guests. NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY’s transit of the river Ems to the North Sea, is scheduled for March 10 (weather permitting).
Designed as “New York’s” ship, “NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY will bring the best of NYC to sea when she arrives to her year-round homeport in early May 2013, offering the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York is known for worldwide. To date, the company has revealed the ship’s groundbreaking design, including an open-air boardwalk, 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 perform on the vessel. Norwegian Breakaway will also feature an exciting fireworks show on every cruise that will dazzle guests on the second to last night at sea each week, and will be the grand finale of a decadent 1980s-themed deck party.”
“Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will also debut his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” will open an extension of his popular bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop. The ship will feature a total of 28 dining options on board and an Ice Bar, which will be kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit and feature New York City-inspired specialty cocktails, as well as ice sculptures of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building to pay homage to New York City.”
“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-story 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 18 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa.”
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The placement of the artist’s name on the bow makes it look like the ship is named PETER MAX and not NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY. Just saying…
A great addition to the NCL fleet- This yard is very impressive they seem to have the expertise necessary for these giants. I know Disney was pleased.
Another ugly condo box on the water. 4,000 passengers? Why leave the city to board another city?
A few asides her,
With sailings from New York, how will the Peter Max diorama hold up – not just from horrendous seas, winter and hurricane season, but with ice in the Hudson and surrounding waters, since New York Harbor does indeed freeze over somewhat – not every winter, but it does
Fire works, nice touch, how will these be set off during blizzards and hurricanes and summer thunder storms
Ships stability during seriously rough seas to and from New York (many, MANY cruises have tried this in winter, and have turned tail and left for Florida after a first sdeason out of New York in winter).
Finally, when the ship does, albeit “if or when”, will the New York hull theme be as charming sailng from say, Miami?
Just thoughts, from having taken many cruises and crossings from New York, Brooklyn and Port Liberty during the winter months
I thought it WAS a building or certainly looks like one to me. Oh well, another boring block of flats.. I gave up on “ships” remotely resembling anything creative, graceful or soul-stirring ages ago. If they wanted something truly New York, they should anchor this off the Bronx for a few days and let the graffiti “artists” have a go… I’ve seen better decorated D Trains than this.
I know she will not be a US-flagged ship (being built in Germany, naturally,) so having a “home port” of New York City is both misleading and confusing. And I agree about having the name Peter Max on the bow is equally boggling. Just another top-heavy floating box.
Wow…I had forgotten NORWEGIAN BREAKWAY was coming so soon. Very interesting hull art. I agree with Kalle that it looks like the ship is named Peter Max! XD It’s always interesting to see how many people aren’t that fond of NCL. I’m not that big of a fan either. The boiler room explosion on NORWAY got to me…and I just found out about it several years ago. It was sad that the NORWAY was beached, but I don’t feel as much remorse as I do for the eight crewmen killed in an accident that should never have happened. However it is over with. They were fined for negligence, and sued by the victims relatives. That said, they lost a lot of revenue over that. As for personal preferences, I don’t think I would choose NCL. I would travel Cunard, HAL, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity. If I was over 50 I’d try Saga, but I’m 17…so forget it. And SAGA RUBY will be retired by then. So I don’t see a point. I need to take a Carnival cruise eventually. It isn’t my favorite cruise line, I don’t like Vegas, but it is cheap. You can go on a three day Baja cruise from Long Beach for 300 bucks. And going on a Carnival Cruise from Long Beach is a good excuse to visit the QUEEN MARY. 🙂
For years the S/S Oceanic sailed from New York to the Caribbean on 7 night crusises all year round. She was about 39,000 tons and now people are worried that a 146,000 ton ship might have trouble. I would never hesitate to sail on her anytime.
Désolé, d’ utiliser le français
Je suis d’accord avec les commentaires précédents qui voient dans ce ship qui est aussi esthétique qu’une boite à chaussure flottante.
La description comme de coutume vante l’équipement pour les passagers (a quand une piste de ski alpin?)
On peut se demander si la mer(sea) sert encore à quelque chose ?
dans ces club MED flottant, vraiment le summun du loisir formatté & stéréotypé rentablité oblige
j’ émet de gros doutes sur la stabilité de ce genre de navires en cas d’ouragan ou typhon vu la hauteur énorme de leur centre de gravité, sans meme parler en cas de collision
En cas de sinistre majeur bonjour la panique GEANTE, surtout qu’ a part un noyau de personnel naviquant et technique entrainé & qualifié, 90% sont du personnel hotellier et de support venant de pays à bas salaire qui paniqueraient autant que les passagers
Le COSTA CONCORDIA EST IL DEJA OUBLIE ?
Sans son échouage sur la cote après l’ eventration de la coque , le cout humain aurait été horrifique CAR IL AURAIT CHAVIRE COMPLETEMENT
VOIR pour ceux qui ont la memoire courte la fiction de 1972 LE POSEIDON avec GENE HAZKMAN
(Bad translation via Google auto translate -Martin)
Sorry, to use the French
I agree with previous comments that see this ship that is as beautiful a shoe box float.
Description as usual boasts equipment for passengers (a when a ski slope?)
One may wonder if the sea (sea) is still something?
Club Med in these floating really summun & Leisure formatted stereotyped rentablité requires
j ‘makes big doubts about the stability of this type of vessel in case of a hurricane or typhoon saw the enormous height of center of gravity, without even talking collision
In the event of a major disaster GIANT hello panic, especially that share a core of trained staff and technical naviquant & qualified staff 90% hotellier and support from low-wage countries that would panic as well as passengers
CONCORDIA COSTA IS IT ALREADY FORGOTTEN?
Without its stranding on the coast after Rupture of the hull, the human cost would have been horrific CAR HE COMPLETELY CAPSIZED
SEE for those who have short memory fiction in 1972 with GENE THE POSEIDON HAZKMAN
Sorry,
Si le commercial et le politiquement correct doivent etouffer toute critique, alors ne prenez pas la peine de demander de commentaires LIBRES à votre public
Si j’ai dit une contre-vérité, veuillez m’escuser d’avance, mais prouvez le moi par des arguments valables
Le TITANIC était aussi insummersible selon la WHITE STAR
L’ANDREA DORIA ne devait pas couler non plus en 1956
(More google translation- martin)
If the commercial and political correctness should stifle any criticism, so do not bother asking for your public comments FREE
If I said a truth-cons, please escuser me in advance, but prove it to me by valid arguments
TITANIC was also insummersible according WHITE STAR
The ANDREA DORIA should not run either in 1956
I am of the old school and nothing, but nothing could persuade me to travel on such a “mega monstrosity!” Four thousand people on a floating apartment at sea! No thank you.
We have changed what a cruise at sea is–it has become Las Vegas on the hoof!
I for one, would rather stay at home than put myself through this cruise experience.
Thank goodness, we have options….
Well I agree the name of the ship looks like the s.s. Max. It’s hard to keep a regular hull white I can’t imagine how hard to keep her shipshape. That being said any new ship is a good thing.iv sailed into New York twice and what a great port. A like the name Peter max better than the breakaway which is to close to breakdown or break apart .
I must say that anyone who sailed on the Norway is still upset at ncl.we all wish she would of been saved but if it don’t make money it don’t make sense.
Having sailed, as I have stated, from New York during the thrilling winter months, notably, January, February and March, on QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, SS OCEANIC, MS SAGAFJORD and VISTAFJORD, it was to put it mildly, very rough, not all sailings mind you, but during many sailings it was indeed. Want really rough winter silings? SS FRANCE, we sailed from Boston in January, and wow, what a ride. A sailing from Boston on the SS FRANCE also in January saw temps at sail away in the low 70’s. Go figure.
On two occasions ships had to be cut from the ice at their piers, and on two ocasions, from under the ice one body floated up, on the other, a head and a hand, and, this was the Hudson, not the East River.
The concern here is the massive top heaviness of this ship, the BREAKAWAY. Greek Line sailed for years out of Boston and New York, dead of winter on their lovely OLYMPIA and the QUEEN ANNA MARIA. In Boston ambulances waited at Commonwealth Pier to take injured passengers off, mostly with broken bones. I sail very well, never succumed to mal de mer.
However, I wouild think again before ever sailing again from the North East during winter. Last year on the SILHOUETTE from Port Liberty, we were lucky, the seas were lively, but still tame. Ship did not pitch, just rolled to port side due to wind.
BREAKAWAY looks better than some of the newbees, say, EPIC.
I for one will not pay for all of those extra restaurants, and do put too much faith in celebrity chefs, and please understand, celebrity chef means from TV shows, NOT Celebrity Cruises, unless other wise noted.
Good heavens, why are so many New Yorkers so negative in their comments?! It makes me think twice about ever visiting the place! If you don’t like a new ship then don’t sail on her. It’s that simple.
People saying ‘boring block of flats’ are pretty boring themselves, in my opinion.
Amazing! New York yankees worried about how this beautiful ship looks and they live in the cesspool of the US. Rocks & glass houses!
Im thrilled to be sailing over from southhampton! Too each their own on travel means.
I must agree with Kenneth. An extremely Top Heavy cruise liner not good in winter months from NYC.
Leave it to NCL to build another top heavy box like creation……Where did the real ships go ?
Still say….another Costa Concordia accident waiting to happen !
The height of the COSTA CONCORDIA’s superstructure had no effect whatsoever in her sinking. In fact, I’d challenge the readers to think of a single incident in the past half a century where a ship really had an accident because it’s superstructure was too high. I give you a hint: there are none.
I for one grow tired of the constant panicmongering in this regard: we live in an era where safety regulations regarding ships – including their stability – are more stringent than ever before. This goes even to the extent that ships built in previous eras (when many commenters here maintain they were somehow safer) have had to be rebuilt with stability-enhancing sponsons to bring them in-line with current regulations. If the NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY (or indeed any other recent ship) was inherently unstable then she would not be allowed to sail. It’s as simple as that.
Sad how people who don’t like this “ship” are called New York Yankees. Do you really think New York has cornered the market on disliking this ugly boat?
If a ship is un-sea-worthy, so be it, it will not sail. Stability aside, its the condition of the seas that are the real culprit, not the ship (cross fingers!).
Panicmongers aside, I grow tired of comments from people that have never sailed on a liner, cruise ship, ferry or scull, skiff or barge. Yet, comments are rampant.I recall the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN barging over a huge log, passsengers screamed, I laughed, while sipping my Julep. I also recall one cruise in the SS FRANCE, for 19 days one stabilizer was broken, thus the working one was not used, so, she rolled like a bobbin.
I, now this is a real stretch for me, believe me, am actually looking at the BREAKAWAY, sailng to Bermuda, Bermuda/Bahamas (oh, the memories of the SS OCEANIC, HOMERIC and ATLANTIC with Home Lines “Linger Longer Cruises!”), is too much for me, I almost ca not resist. And, the 12 nighters to the Caribbean even in winter, frost my butt and pass the parka!
One need look at the ships deck plan, the resturants, bars and lounges, cabin ammenities – all that make up the ship, not just the hull. There is a lot to like here, maybe even love.
@ Captain Joesph
Oceanic first of all was not Top Heavy…designed orginally for Home Lines Trans-Atlantic service….todays ship 15 decks with a 20 draft somethings wrong with that picture….don’t care how wide they are !
While I have never been on a cruise, I have always liked the older liners. They portrayed a sense of Class about them. These new monsters that all look like container ships make me not want to take a cruise. Part of the allure (for me)is the beautiful lines and classic look of the way the ship looks. I have no desire to ever step foot on any of these new, ugly “cattle haulers”. I would think the Cruise industry would want to hear from people who haven’t cruised as that is untapped revenue. Your opinion is as valuable as mine!
The cruise industry is hell bent for leather to get the NEW passengers on their ships, , that is why they keep building more, as more new passsengers literaly and fuguratively are just that, new to cruising.
While looking not quite like the consumate liner of our dreams from yetseryear, these new ships offer what the contemporary passenger demands, and to provide it, the ships must look as they do.
Do I like the look? It has grown on me, and has taken a while to get used to the new “lool” – maybe not so long, my first biggy was the GRAND PRINCESS back in 1998. Once the SS FRANCE was the biggest at sea, today she would seem “smallish”.
While I have had 4 decades of cruising, at sea, on many diverse ships, and many different cruise lines, the one thing that keeps me coming back again and again, is the cruise experience, be it small medium or large ship.
For me the ship is the destination, the ports, merely diversions.
If you want to try a cruise, and hopefully get the “bite” and by that the “bite” you will always want to cruise again and again.
All testing is done with computer simulation. The reral test is when at sea and there 40-50 swells raging from all directions…rogue wave come to mind….I have sailed on QE2 in a force 11 gale mid-atlantic…Pitch yes…..roll yes…deep draft yes…top heavy NO !!! Today’s ships too many decks high with little or no draft. I have been on the Grand Princess in heavy seas and with the wind buffeting the ship from the side….we had a list to port….not comforting
I’ve sailed with NCL many times. Let’s give the Breakaway a chance. The hull is not the concern of the passenger. They maintain the hull in port. Does not concern me. I, too, appreciate the splendor of a magestic liner. NCL raises the bar yet another time to have the biggest new kid on the block. I really think ships are getting uglier as they build them straight up as to cram as much as they can onto the ship, but I’m on a cruise to enjoy the inside of the ship. Who cares what it looks like on the outside. I’m not looking at it. The accomodations, food, entertainment, service are most important to me. I sailed the EPIC on the Mediteranean not one speed bump, but, yes the Med. is no comparison to the Atlantic. I’ll be on the 3rd sailing. I’ll let you know how things turn out, but let’s give her a chance
Trish R
I too sail for the ship, THE insides, and what is to be offered. Yes, the hull has taken a lot of ragging, but, lets face it, most of the bloggers here have never taken a cruise, all they can fume about is the “condo” look and how the new ships do not look like the ones of old. I too projected some cheeky comments on the hull, sort of “caught up in the moment”. And, the ships look like they do for ample balconied cabins and spectacular public rooms, thats what the public wants, that is what the passenger gets.
Having sailed on passenger ships as small as 1,200GRT (if indeed that is really a true “ship”, up to the CELEBRITY REFLECTION, and of course, QUEEN MARY2, with almost countless dozens sized in between, it is indeed the ship itself, the promise of excellence and the expectation of passenger delight as presented by the cruise line.
I am glad that you enjoy your cruises as musch as I think you do. I wish more people did as well.
Just booked CELEBRITY SUMMIT today for Bermuda – that makes 4 cruises for 2013 for me. (so far)!!!
All you boo-birds, go take a leap. The bigger the ship, the more new friends you can potentially make. We’re taking her from Southampton on the first crossing in a few days. Stop by cabin 12840 and say hi!
Wow, I hope they measured properly and it fits under the Verrazano Bridge.