Norwegian's largest ship reaches Eemshaven after 24-hour conveyance along the Ems River
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape is now berthed in Eemshaven, Netherlands after completing her 24-hour conveyance along the Ems River from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
Sailing backwards under the control of River Ems pilots, Norwegian Escape left Meyer Werft around 2pm (local German time) on 18 September, passing through the shipyard’s locks at a maximum speed of 0.2 knots. Two navigation officers monitored the bow and stern manoeuvres.
Norwegian Escape continued along the river stern first, passing through the Weener Bridge in Weener; Jann-Berghaus Bridge in Leer; and Ems-Barrier in Gandersum. The ship reached Eemshaven at around 12:30 pm (local German time) on 19 September and will remain there while she is fitted with additional provisions and materials. She will head towards the North Sea for sea trials later this month.
“After seeing firsthand this week how spectacular Norwegian Escape already looks, I am thrilled that she is officially on her journey to welcome guests next month,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief operating officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “As the first Breakaway Plus class ship, she will offer the very best in freedom and flexibility for our guests and we cannot wait to officially welcome her to the fleet.”
Norwegian Escape, which is the cruise line’s first Breakaway Plus class, will debut in October and sail weekly seven-day cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean from 14 November. The 164,600gt ship will be the largest ever to homeport year-round in Miami, carrying 4,200 guests to destinations such as St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
Meyer Werft is also due to build three more Breakaway Plus-class vessels.