Largest Norwegian newbuild to date heads to Hamburg for European inaugural festivities
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Meyer Werft delivered Norwegian Escape to Norwegian Cruise Line at its Bremerhaven yard in Germany on 22 October.
Built over the past 17 months, the 164,600gt Norwegian Escape is the line’s largest ship to date and is the first in its new Breakaway Plus class. The ship will now sail to Hamburg, Germany to start her European inaugural festivities. After two nights in Southampton, UK, Norwegian Escape head to her year-round homeport in Miami, US. She will then be christened by international recording artist Armando Christian Perez, aka Pitbull, during a ceremony at the port on 9 November.
“We are thrilled to deliver the first in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner at Meyer Werft. “Norwegian Escape is the newest and most advanced cruise vessel on the seas and we are proud of the team that worked diligently to design and build her.”
Norwegian’s 4,200-passenger newbuild will offer various industry firsts, sports and water park facilities, private dining options, the first-ever floating Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant, the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, the first at-sea Lacoste and Carolina Herrera boutiques and more. Entertainment options will include two Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals headlining in the Escape Theater, and an exclusive Supper Club offering that enables guests to enjoy dinner and a 360° post-modern cabaret.
Guests can stay in the line’s largest-ever ship–within-a-ship complex – The Haven by Norwegian – as well as solo traveller studios, and various accommodations for families, multi-generational groups, spa enthusiasts and more. The Haven will also feature a covered three-storey courtyard, an expanded forward sundeck with a cantilevered whirlpool, a new outdoor dining space in the private restaurant.
“Norwegian Escape’s arrival marks a true evolution for our brand – we’ve capitalised on the best of our Breakaway Class ships and taken freedom and flexibility to the next level with this incredible new ship,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian’s president and COO. “Once again, the team at Meyer Werft, along with our newbuild and operations teams, and all of the ship’s officers and crew, have done a remarkable job and we cannot wait to welcome guests onboard this spectacular new vessel.”
Norwegian Escape will be the largest-ever cruise ship to homeport year-round in Miami, where she will sail weekly seven-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean beginning on 14 November. The ship will visit destinations such as St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.