Norwegian Breakaway’s official keel laying ceremony

Norwegian Cruise Line executives and officials from MEYER WERFT have taken part in the keel laying ceremony of Norwegian Breakaway and the steel cutting of Norwegian Getaway.

The events, which took place at the MEYER WERFT shipyard in Papenburg, Germany mark key stages in the construction of Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway which are scheduled for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014 respectively.

During Breakaway’s official keel laying ceremony, the first of 73 blocks that will comprise the 144,000 gross tonne vessel were lifted into the covered building dock, marking the start of the block assembly.

In the dock, Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer, laid the traditional ‘lucky coin’, before the 350-tonne first block was placed by the 800-tonne crane.

“The anticipation is building for this incredible ship,” said Sheehan.

“It’s thrilling to mark the start of the block assembly and realise that in one year we will take delivery of Norwegian Breakaway.

“We can’t wait.”

Norwegian Breakaway is the first ship being built by MEYER WERFT utilising a more efficient construction process which will deliver a ship of more than 140,000 gross tonnes in less than 12 months.

“We are so proud to begin the process of constructing the ship out of 73 blocks that form the structure of the ship and are looking forward to seeing it take shape over the coming months,” said Bernard Meyer, managing director of MEYER WERFT.

Following the Breakaway keel laying, the first plate of steel for Norwegian Getaway was cut by a plasma torch in MEYER WERFT’s state of the art yard.

This plate will become part of Block 40 that will comprise the new vessel. 

“Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway are going to revolutionise the cruise industry with their spectacular design and unique offerings,” said Sheehan.

“Cutting the first piece of steel for Norwegian Getaway takes us one step closer to having this ship join our fleet in 2014 and begin sailing year-round from Miami, the cruise capital of the world.”

The 4,000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway will arrive in her year-round homeport of New York City in early May 2013 from where the ship will begin weekly summer seven-day cruises to Bermuda.

From October 2013 to April 2014, the ship will offer voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas and Florida and the Southern Caribbean.

Norwegian announced in April that Norwegian Getaway will be homeported year-round in Miami following her delivery scheduled for spring 2014.

Norwegian will announce the ship’s inaugural itineraries and on-sale dates later this year.