Norwegian Cruise Line orders second "Breakaway Plus" ship

[Jason]

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it has confirmed an order for a second "Breakaway Plus" cruise ship with MEYER WERFT GMBH of Papenburg, Germany for delivery in spring 2017. Along with the first Breakaway Plus ship, which is scheduled for delivery in October 2015, these two new vessels will be the largest in the line's fleet at approximately 163,000 gross tons and 4,200 passenger berths each and will be similar in design and innovation to the line's current Breakaway class, the first of which, Norwegian Breakaway, launched in New York in early May.

The combined contract cost of the two Breakaway Plus class ships is approximately 1.4 billion. The company has export credit financing in place that provides financing for 80 percent of the contract price.

"The incredible response we've received from guests, travel agents and media regarding Norwegian Breakaway only reinforced our decision to add a second Breakaway Plus vessel to our fleet," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "With groundbreaking elements, yet to be announced, and an additional deck to incorporate further innovations, our two Breakaway Plus ships will provide guests even more ways to experience all that the new Norwegian has to offer."

MEYER WERFT delivered Norwegian Breakaway, the first of Norwegian's two new 146,600 gross ton, 4,000-passenger Breakaway class vessels on April 25, 2013; and will deliver Norwegian Getaway, in mid-January 2014.

"We're very pleased to build all these innovative ships for Norwegian Cruise Line," said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of MEYER WERFT.

Prior to the Breakaway class ships, MEYER WERFT built Norwegian's four Jewel-class ships. Norwegian Gem delivered in 2007, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade delivered in 2006, and Norwegian Jewel delivered in 2005. These two new Breakaway Plus vessels on order will be the tenth and eleventh that the Company will build with MEYER WERFT.

By Norwegian Cruise Line

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[jacketwatch]

Interesting in that the dimensions are lust a bit bigger that the Breakaway class. It seems the tonnage is more relative the the small increase in passenger capacity by only 200 passengers. I wonder if this ship will seem like it has more space.

[WeCruiseToo]

Interesting in that the dimensions are lust a bit bigger that the Breakaway class. It seems the tonnage is more relative the the small increase in passenger capacity by only 200 passengers. I wonder if this ship will seem like it has more space.

You’re right Larry, those numbers should translate into more available interior passenger areas.

Always love to hear new ship announcements – keep ‘em coming! (And we’ll do our best to go on as many cruises as we can! )

[jacketwatch]

Also it seems like NCL has come to terms with the Epic being a design not worth duplicating. The Breakaway looks like a beautiful ship and its seems they decided they needed a ship design that make people want to sail her and they have that and now seem to be tweaking it to make it even better.