Norwegian Breakaway christened by New York icon's the Rockettes

NEW YORK – May 8, 2013 – Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, was christened by the legendary Rockettes during a ceremony officiated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Cardinal Timothy Dolan.  Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,”  hosted the highly anticipated ceremony.

Throughout the christening ceremony, which was simulcast in ten venues thoughout the ship, Norwegian Breakaway’s spectactular onboard amenities and entertainment were showcased in front of more than 4,000 guests.

From live performances by Slam Allen, Howl at the Moon, Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy, along with Burn the Floor and a show stomping finale featuring Rock of Ages, Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship ever to homeport in Manhattan, kicked off its arrival to New York City in style.

“New York’s ship is home where she belongs,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer.  “We’ve been anticipating this moment for more than two years and are so thrilled to finally have Norwegian Breakaway amongst New York City’s greatest icons.  We thank the City of New York for the warm welcome and are looking forward to a very successful inaugural season.” 

Boasting hull artwork designed by pop icon and America’s most popular living artist, Peter Max, Norwegian Breakaway was designed as New York’s ship inside and out. On board, guests will enjoy the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York City is known for worldwide, including three new restaurants by Food Network star and acclaimed New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian. 

The ship’s groundbreaking design also includes an open-air boardwalk called The Waterfront, the largest aqua park at sea, with five waterslides, and a wide array of accommodations including 60 suites in The Haven, innovative studios for solo travelers, ocean view staterooms, balcony and mini-suite staterooms for families.

Norwegian Breakaway will begin her weekly seven-day cruises to Bermuda, throughout the summer, on Sunday, May 12 with a special guest onboard, Kevin Sheehan, the line’s Chief Executive Officer. From October through April, Norwegian Breakaway will offer seven-day voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas and Florida, as well as two 12-day sailings to the Southern Caribbean.

Norwegian Breakaway

            Designed as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway brings the best of NYC to sea from her year-round homeport in Manhattan, offering the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York is known for worldwide. The ship’s groundbreaking design includes 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 includes 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 also perform on the vessel. Norwegian Breakaway features an exciting fireworks show on every cruise that will dazzle guests on the second to last night at sea each week, and is the grand finale of a decadent 1980s-themed deck party.

Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian has also debuted his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, along with two additional venues, The Raw Bar and Ocean Blue on the Waterfront. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” opened an extension of his popular bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop, onbard. The ship features a total of 27 dining options on board and an Ice Bar, which is kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit and features New York City-inspired specialty cocktails, as well as ice sculptures of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty to pay homage to New York City.

The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway 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 also offers a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven™ by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship and 22 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 800-327-7030or 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 12 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed, resort style 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.

The Company took delivery of its most innovative ship to date, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway on April 25, 2013.  Known as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway is 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, currently under construction at Meyer Werft will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami and will sail Eastern Caribbean voyages beginning in February 2014.  The Company also has one larger “Breakaway Plus” vessel on order for delivery in the fall of 2015, with the option for a second ship. 

The Company’s largest ship, the 4,100 passenger Norwegian Epic 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 and Legends in Concert, the official cruise line partner of The GRAMMY Awards and is an official partner of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall. 

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).

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