Cruise News: First Steel Cut for Norwegian Getaway

Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer
of Norwegian Cruise Line, and
Bernard Meyer, managing director of MEYER WERFT

Earlier this week we reported that the keel was laid for Norwegian Breakaway and now we've learned that the first piece of steel was cut at MEYER WERFT in Papenburg, Germany on Friday, May 4, for the construction of Norwegian Getaway, the second of two new Freestyle Cruising® ships for Norwegian Cruise Line, set for delivery in spring 2014.

Norwegian Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT executives watched as the first plate of steel was cut by a plasma torch in the yard’s state of the art facility. This plate will become part of Block 40 that will comprise the new vessel.

“Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway are going to revolutionize the cruise industry with their spectacular design and unique offerings,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “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.”

Norwegian announced in April that Norwegian Getaway will be homeported year-round in Miami following her delivery scheduled for spring 2014. Norwegian Getaway’s sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will begin sailing from her year-round home port of New York City in May 2013.

The Breakaway class ships, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, will each be 144,000 gross tons and will have approximately 4,000 passenger berths. These ships represent an opportunity for the Norwegian guest to “break away” from the routine of work, school, and daily stress, while finding a true respite at sea.

Image Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line