Norwegian Breakaway is here baby! It’s been a pleasure to work with the Norwegian Cruise Line team for the past months building an authentic Carlo’s Bakery on-board. From the design, to the classes, to the menu, all the pieces are coming together and as excited as I am, I’m even more excited for YOU to see it!

I sent one of my own from the Carlo’s Bakery famiglia to board the ship early and make sure we have everything we need on-board to give you and your family the true Carlo’s experience and now I am heading on board to add the finishing touches. So get ready to enjoy your next cruise Hoboken style!

 Shout out when your setting sail on Twitter at @cakebossbuddy and on Facebook and maybe I’ll see you on-board!

 Buddy

Today we took delivery of our 146.600 GT cruise ship, Norwegian Breakaway from MEYER WERFT after a building period of only 18 months. Extensive tests and trials of all systems and intensive training of the crew kept everyone busy in the last weeks prior to the delivery in Bremerhaven.

“We are elated to take ownership of this spectacular new vessel Norwegian Breakaway that has so many unique features, world-class entertainment and artfully designed staterooms,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Chief Executive Officer.  “This is the moment we’ve been waiting patiently for. I am so proud of the team at MEYER WERFT and at Norwegian who worked tirelessly on our newest and most exciting ship.”

Main Particulars

 Norwegian BREAKAWAY

Norwegian Breakaway completed another important milestone today as she successfully passed her technical and nautical sea trials. The tests took place off the coast of Norway and Denmark, and the captains and hotel director reported that the weather conditions were absolutely perfect. Throughout the five days of testing, the ship underwent a series of stringent tests to assess various nautical and technical elements including the ship’s speed, maneuverability, and more.

The first test was to make sure the ship is able to operate at various speeds. To do this, the ship’s captains and navigational officers tested all of the various power outputs for the propellers while adjusting the speed to various levels at each power output level. Throughout the week, maneuverability was also tested and to demonstrate the agility of the ship, the ship performed a “Williamson’s turn,”  to demonstrate how well the ship would be able to turn around in the event of an on board emergency. The “Zig Zag,” test was also conducted to demonstrate the ship’s ability to rapidly maneuver away from danger ahead, while still maintaining its forward course.

The captains also conducted a successful “turning circle” test. This test takes place when the ship is powered ahead at full speed and then the azipods (the ship’s propulsion units) are quickly turned on, to monitor the behavior of the vessel. When conducting the turning circle test, a certain minimum diameter is required in order to prove the ship’s seaworthiness, and Norwegian Breakaway exceeded all standards. A “Crash Test” was also performed by running the ship full steam ahead and then quickly reversing the azipods in order to assess the ship’s stoppage capabilities, which is monitored in terms of time and distance.

The last assessments that took place were to test noise and vibration throughout the ship. It is important to ensure that there is proper insulation between all staterooms, corridors and public areas so that guests on board will be comfortable throughout their cruise. Wind levels on Norwegian Breakaway’s pool deck and The Waterfront, the ship’s outdoor dining and recreational area, we also tested to ensure that guests dining along The Waterfront will have an incredible experience while dining outdoors in this innovative area that gives them a unique opportunity to connect with the ocean.

Overall it was a busy, but extremely successful and exciting week for the team on board, and the management team was thrilled to report that the ship passed all tests with flying colors.

Now that the sea trials are complete, the on board operations team will continue the ship’s set up, and add the finishing touches to Norwegian Breakaway in preparation for the arrival of guests in less than 33 days!

Take a look at these awesome behind-the-scenes photos that were send over from the ship’s hotel director, Denis Prguda, himself.

Norwegian Breakaway took another major step towards her highly-anticipated delivery early this morning when she departed Meyer Werft on her conveyance along the Ems River.

Leaving Meyer Werft at approximately 6 a.m. Germany time, sailing backwards, Norwegian Breakaway successfully cleared the first set of locks, and then continued along the river to her final destination in Eemshaven, The Netherlands.

Norwegian Breakaway is the largest cruise ship to ever be constructed in Germany; therefore, it required very precide maneuvers in order to pass through the narrow passage of the initial locks. The ship, measuring 1063 feet long and 130 feet wide; only had 1.6 meters clearance on the starboard side when it passed through the locks. A team of two were in control of the maneuvers, one in control of the bow and one in control of the stern, to ensure that the passage took place at minimum speed and only placed minimum pressure on the bumpers that lined the inside of the locks. 

It is an interesting sight to see a ship traveling backwards, but the reason for this is due to the strong propulsion in the aft section of the vessel. Therefore, traveling backwards, or stern first, helps with maneuverability which is a key component when navigating the vessel through such narrow passages.

In preparation for this successful conveyance, the Nautical Operations teams from both Meyer Werft and Norwegian trained and practiced the precise maneuvers for the past several months, utilizing high tech simulators and detailed schematics.

Before reaching her final destination in Eemshaven, Germany early Thursday morning, heading toward the North Sea, Norwegian Breakaway will pass through additional narrow passages including the locks in Papenburg, which allow only 1.5 meter clearance on either side; Weener Bridge in Weener; Jann-Berghaus Bridge in Leer; and Ems-Barrier in Gandersum.

On Monday, March 4, 2013, the very first group of Norwegian Breakaway crew members arrived to Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany and moved on board their new ship home, marking another very significant milestone in the launch of Norwegian Breakaway. For Norwegian, welcoming crew on board is a very momentous and symbolic stage in the new ship launch process. Mike Flesch, the line’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations commented, “The crew members are the ones who bring the ship to life and now that they are starting to come on board, the heart of the ship will truly start beating.”

Shortly after their arrival to the yard, the team of new crew members were escorted straight to the ship by Norwegian Breakaway’s Captain and Hotel Director. As they approached the vessel, the group stared in awe at Norwegian Breakaway, and happily snapped photos of each other in front of the ship to send home to their friends and family around the world. All of the new joiners were eager and excited to get on board, settle in and explore the various areas. When asked how they felt about boarding Norwegian Breakaway today, they expressed their overwhelming excitement and also remarked how honored they felt to be among the first to sign on to the new vessel.

The first group of crew members to arrive represented various departments including deck and engine, housekeeping and galley. Each one of them has extensive experience working on board other Norwegian ships and was specially selected to be part of Norwegian Breakaway’s initial launch team based on the expertise they possess in their respective areas.

Norwegian Breakaway is nearing completion, but is still under construction in many areas; therefore, this team has their work cut out for them. Now that they have arrived, they will assist in the final stages of construction, clean all areas of the ship and prepare the ship for their fellow crew members, who will continue to move on board over the next month, and of course make sure the ship is perfect for guests that will start embarking just over 50 days from today. All of these crew members know that it will be hard work, but they are up for the challenge and are proud that they are the ones who have the opportunity to be there to make it happen.

Today was a historic day at Meyer Werft as Norwegian Breakaway, the largest cruise ship to ever be built in Germany, successfully floated out of the building dock in Papenburg. The 146,600-ton ship has been under construction since September 2011. Beginning at approximately 7 am (Germany time), the massive 4,000 passenger ship with her signature hull artwork designed by pop icon Peter Max, departed building dock II. Norwegian Breakaway is also the  first ship to depart bow first. Norwegian Breakaway has an overall length of 324 meters, and is 39.70 meters wide.

The Haven area on board Norwegian ships is heavenly – it’s a secluded oasis on the ship’s top decks, offering guests the “suitest” experience at sea. Take a look at Norwegian Breakaway’s The Haven Courtyard area that is currently under construction in the yard!

Fitness-conscious guests will get the ultimate adrenaline rush on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway as they step into the authentic Flywheel Sports® cycling studios on board our newest ships.  Flywheel is New York City’s revolutionary, high-energy indoor cycling studio, and is now the newest addition to the ships’ state-of-the art fitness center complexes. FlyWheel is a high-tech indoor cycling studio, named “Best Fitness Classes in NYC” by Daily Candy, that has quickly become a fitness phenomenon nationwide, including in New York City and Miami Beach.

In each class, highly motivational instructors lead the way, suggesting target resistance levels and RPM’s for each rider to strive for. But ultimately, the riders decide how far they want to push themselves by controlling the proprietary technology on their individual bikes, arranged in stadium-style seating. Each ride leaves the participants feeling energized, and motivates them to ride harder and faster than they ever thought they could.

An amazing escape that challenges the body and relaxes the mind, Flywheel classes are fully choreographed by certified instructors and taught in a dimly lit studio, giving riders the opportunity to get lost in their workout and push themselves to the limit. Every ride is set to an incredible heart-pumping custom playlist created by the instructors from a collection of music carefully curated by Flywheel’s in-house DJ and rides are synchronized to the intoxicating beats. The 45- or 60-minute class includes “climbs” and “descents,” along with an upper body workout utilizing weighted bars that are attached to each bike.

Unlike bikes in other indoor cycling classes, the custom Flywheel bikes are tailor-made and feature proprietary performance tracking technology. Guests can set the positions that fit their body and comfort levels, from which they can best control their “tech-pack,” an exclusive Flywheel feature, that displays the rider’s resistance (“torq”), speed (RPM’s) and power output (current and cumulative for the class), allowing riders to stay aware of their performance at all times. Riders with a competitive edge can even opt in to participate in the in-studio “Torqboards,” large, flat-screen displays that occasionally flash leaderboards that show how each rider is performing in relation to others in the class.

Now, the fitness phenomenon that is “all the rage” in New York City and Miami will be available to guests on board our new, innovative ships, giving guests a fitness experience unlike any other! Get ready to FLY!

The artists at the yard have been working hard to apply the Peter Max-designed artwork to the hull of Norwegian Breakaway! The intricate design is almost completely applied!

The team at the yard is in the process of applying Peter Max’s colorful hull art work design to Norwegian Breakaway’s signature hull! Check out these incredible photos: