Above: a rendering of Norwegian Escape
By the Caribbean Journal staff
The first piece of steel has been cut on the planned Norwegian Escape cruise ship, Norwegian Cruise Line announced Thursday.
The ship, which will be the first of two new Breakaway Plus Class ships, is set for delivery in the fall of 2015.
“Norwegian Escape will be the largest ship in our fleet and will continue our legacy of innovation,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer, in a release. “Cutting the first piece of steel for Norwegian Escape marks the official start of construction for this remarkable ship. We are eagerly anticipating her delivery in October of 2015.”
Above: a rendering of a stateroom
Once it debuts, Norwegian Escape will sail year-round to the Caribbean from a home base in Miami, offering seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries, visiting Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, St Thomas and Nassau.
Noted ocean conservationist Guy Harvey has designed the hull artwork on the ship.
Above: “The Haven” courtyard on Escape
The first piece of steel was cut at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Escape will be the 10th ship Meyer Werft has built for NCL.
The ship will offer 4,200 passenger berths at a weight of 163,000 gross tons.