Norwegian Breakaway introduces senior management team

MIAMI – April 9, 2013 – Norwegian Cruise Line today announced the remainder of Norwegian Breakaway’s senior management team, including the ship’s Staff Captains, Chief Engineers, Hotel Director, Assistant Hotel Director, Food and Beverage Director, Cruise Director and key department heads.

These senior officers and managers will work alongside the previously announced ship’s Captains, Evans Hoyt and Hakan Svedung, and Hotel Director Denis Prugda, to deliver the line’s most innovative ship to date.

Norwegian will take delivery of Norwegian Breakaway, the ship that will bring the best of New York City to sea, on April 25, 2013. Following inaugural festivities and a maiden transatlantic voyage, the ship will begin a series of seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda.

Seasoned officers, Staff Captain Niklas Persson and Matko Candrlic will be on board to introduce the vessel to guests during her very exciting inaugural season. As Staff Captains, they are second in command and report directly to Norwegian Breakaway’s Captain. They are responsible for the Deck Department and are versed in all of the responsibilities and duties of the Captain, so that they are prepared to assume command if necessary. The Staff Captains will also assist Norwegian Breakaway’s Captain with all operational issues, and all matters involving the safety of guests, crew, the ship and the environment.

Persson joined Norwegian in 1999 and since has served as Staff Captain on board Norwegian Spirit, Sky and Jewel. When he is not on board, he enjoys spending time with his family in Sweden. Candrlic joined the company in 2003 and has held positions on board other ships including Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Gem. He enjoys his time off the ship in Croatia with his wife and children. 

            Carsten Fosbo will deliver Norwegian Breakaway in the position of Chief Engineer and when on vacation he will be relieved by Anders Nedal and Zoran Posa. The Chief Engineer has full responsibility of the entire technical operation of the Ship, plays a key role on the ship’s Senior Management Team and works closely with the Staff Captain and Hotel Director.  Fosbo joined Norwegian in 1998 and has since served as Chief Engineer on various Norwegian ships including Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Sky. Originally from Denmark, Fosbo resides in Costa Rica. Nedal joined Norwegian in 1986 and has worked on board Norwegian Star and Norwegian Gem. He spends his time away from the ship with his wife and children in his home country of Norway. Posa has been a member of the Norwegian team since 2002 and has spent the majority of his time working on board Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky. Hailing from Croatia, he spends his vacations there with his family.

            

Norwegian Hotel Director Sean Wurmhoeringer will assume responsibility for the ship’s entire hotel operation in July when Prugda is on vacation. Wurmhoeringer joined Norwegian in 2002 and since then he has successfully operated hotel teams on board Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Star, and in 2010, Wurmhoeringer played a key role in the successful launch and delivery of Norwegian Epic.  When not on board, Wurmhoeringer enjoys vacationing with his family in Austria.

            

Assisting the Hotel Director is Sonja Sommergger who will serve as the ship’s Assistant Hotel Director.  Originally from Austria, Sommergger has worked with Norwegian since 2002, in various guest service roles and on various Norwegian ships including Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Epic.

            

Norwegian Breakaway’s Food and Beverage Director Martin Ivanov will oversee all of Norwegian Breakaway’s 28 different dining options. The role of Food and Beverage Director on this ship is complex, as Norwegian Breakaway boasts more restaurants than any other cruise ship at sea. But, with his previous experience on Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Epic, home to 21 different dining options, Ivanov will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Norwegian Breakaway. Hailing from Bulgaria, he spends his vacation time at home with his family.

            

Heading Norwegian Breakaway’s entertainment team is Cruise Director Julie Valeriote. With Norwegian since 1999, Valeriote has led entertainment teams on Norwegian Epic, where she was also part of the ship’s inaugural team, and most recently on Norwegian Pearl where she has cultivated a strong following of guests who admire her constant enthusiasm, positive energy and her incredible stilt-walking skills. When not on board, Valeriote spends her vacation in her home town of Wellington, Ontario.

Norwegian Breakaway’s key department heads include: Executive Housekeeper Marites Sonza from the Philippines; Executive Chef Anilkumar Chinthapattla from India; Restaurant Manager Luiza Andrei from Romania; Beverage Manager Jose Contreras from Honduras; Human Resource Director Sue Hannon from the United Kingdom; Shore Excursion Manager Andrei Bruce from the United States of America and Photo Manager Martin Brooks from the United Kingdom.

“The delivery of our incredible new ship is right around the corner,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We are proud of the senior management team we have selected to launch our newest ship. All of them are highly-regarded with proven track records in their respective areas. Together with our seasoned captains and hotel directors, we are confident that guests sailing on board will have an unbelievable vacation experience on Norwegian Breakaway.”

Inaugural Sailing Dates

            The company will showcase Norwegian Breakaway to travel partners and media in both Europe and the United States during four inaugural sailings, prior to the ship entering weekly summer service to Bermuda from New York City.  Following delivery on April 25, 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will sail to Rotterdam for a two-night inaugural cruise departing on April 26, followed by a one-night cruise from Rotterdam to London (Southampton) on April 28, and then a one-night inaugural event in London (Southampton) on April 29. Following her transatlantic crossing from London (Southampton) to New York on April 30, the ship will be christened in New York City on May 8, followed by two, two-night inaugural cruises. Following the inaugural events, the ship will set sail on a series of seven-day cruises to Bermuda beginning on May 12.

Norwegian Breakaway

               Designed as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway will bring the best of NYC to sea when she arrives to her year-round homeport in early May 2013, offering the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York is known for worldwide. To date, the company has revealed the ship’s groundbreaking design, including an open-air boardwalk, The Waterfront, and 678 Ocean Place; a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests’ connection with the ocean.

Norwegian Breakaway’s entertainment will include three Broadway shows: five-time Tony nominated ROCK OF AGES; the dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR; and CIRQUE DREAMS & DINNER JUNGLE FANTASY.  The famed comedy troupe The Second City, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos, and New York’s own Slam Allen will perform on the vessel. Norwegian Breakaway will also feature an exciting fireworks show on every cruise that will dazzle guests on the second to last night at sea each week, and will be the grand finale of a decadent 1980s-themed deck party.

Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will also debut his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” will open an extension of his popular bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop.  The ship will feature a total of 28 dining options on board and an Ice Bar, which will be kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit and feature New York City-inspired specialty cocktails, as well as ice sculptures of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building to pay homage to New York City.

The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway will feature the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.

The ship will also feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship and 18 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa.  

 For more information on the incredible features and accommodations on Norwegian Breakaway, visit www.breakaway.ncl.com.  To book a cruise on Norwegian Breakaway, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 800-327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com. Comment on today’s announcement on our Facebook page.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 46-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites guests to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. Recently, the line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year.

               Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010 and has been named “Best Overall Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly two years in a row and “Best Ship for Sea Days” by Cruise Critic. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, The Second City®, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top.

               The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, under construction for delivery in April 2013 and January 2014, along with one larger “Breakaway Plus” vessel for delivery in fall 2015.  Known as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest vessel to homeport year-round in the city, sailing to Bermuda for the summer beginning May 12, 2013.  Norwegian Breakaway’s features include hull art by legendary artist Peter Max, seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by famed New York Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, bakery by Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” and fitness classes and a retrospective display from the ship’s iconic godmothers, the Rockettes®.  The entertainment lineup includes three Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner: Jungle Fantasy.  Sister ship Norwegian Getaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami, will sail Eastern Caribbean voyages beginning in February 2014.  Sailings for both vessels are now on sale.

 For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Norwegiancruiseline, Pin us on Pinterest, watch us on YouTube, or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).