Norwegian Escape, soon to be the largest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, has been floated out of Meyer Werft’s covered building dock II in Papenburg, Germany.

The 164,600-ton ship has been under construction since September 2014.

Beginning at approximately 09:15 local time, the 4,200 passenger vessel, with her signature hull artwork designed by famed marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey, departed building dock II.

Norwegian Escape is the first ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus Class, measuring 1,098 feet in length and 136 feet wide.

Norwegian Escape’s float out represents a major milestone in the vessel’s construction, with the ship being well on her way to completion she will now move into the final phase of construction with delivery taking place on October 22nd 2015.

“Meyer Werft has done an excellent job with the construction of Norwegian Escape,” Norwegian Cruise Line president Andy Stuart said.

“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.”

Following the ship’s float out, the next milestones will be mounting the ship’s signature Norwegian Cruise Line funnel and taking thrills to new heights by adding a third story to Norwegian Escape’s ropes course - due to be the largest at sea.

Following inaugural events in Europe and Miami, Norwegian Escape will sail seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing every Saturday from Miami beginning on November 14th 2015.

The 164,600 gross ton ship will be the largest ever to home port year-round in Miami.