Today, Norwegian Cruise Line made another big splash by unveiling Norwegian Breakaway’s ground-breaking recreation and outdoor spaces. Norwegian Breakaway will feature an unparalleled multi-story Aqua Park and will be the only ship in the world to feature five full-size water slides. This high-thrill, incredible aqua park will be Norwegian’s largest ever and home to the first-ever twin Free Fall slides at sea, also the fastest slides at sea. As riders stand up in the chute, the floor will abruptly drop from underneath, propelling them into a thrilling loop. The Whip, two additional side-by-side twister slides, will give guests the ultimate adrenaline rush – as they plunge through a two-story spiral in a race to the finish line. For families, the park will also feature an open-flume body slide. And for those who wish to just chill out can do so in one of the two main pools, four hot tubs or at Breezeway Bar & Grill, a semi-open air eatery, serving up delicious pool-side favorites.

Norwegian Breakaway’s spectacular sports complex was also designed with sports enthusiasts and adventure-seekers in mind. Spanning three stories, it will be Norwegian’s largest sports complex by far, and offer guests the ultimate challenge on the largest ropes course at sea. Here, guests will enjoy testing their endurance as they meander through each of the course’s 40 different elements. Guests will also be challenged to hang on tight as they whizz along the zip track, and be dared not to hold their breath as they walk out along The Plank. Extending eight feet over the side of the ship, The Plank will give guests the opportunity to test their mettle as they step out on to the narrow platform, looking down at the water below! As if that wasn’t enough excitement, the complex also includes a special ropes course for children, a nine-hole ocean-themed miniature golf course, a three-story rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and spider web, a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage with a spiral slide.

Children will also have a blast splashing around in the Nickelodeon themed Kids’ Aqua Park surrounded by statues of their favorite, whimsical and larger than life Nickelodeon characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Squidward and more. Family-favorite Nickelodeon Programming is also back on Norwegian Breakaway, including the all-new Pajama Jam Character Breakfast, Dora’s Dance Party, Nickelodeon Character Meet and Greets, Story Time with Dora, Nickelodeon Arts and Crafts and more. Splash Academy, the ship’s two-story youth area, will also feature Nickelodeon characters and activities.

Also revealed today was Spice H2O, the ultimate adult-only enclave. The combination of comfortable sun loungers, a huge video screen, two hot tubs and a soothing waterfall feature (perfect for cooling off from the sun) will make Spice H20 the ideal destination for daytime relaxation. When the sun goes down, Spice H20 will transform into a night time hot spot where guests can dance under the stars, chill out at bar or lounge area, while admiring the ocean views. Vibe Beach Club is another adults-only hot spot. This exclusive beach club will be the perfect place to relax, unwind, soak up the sun and enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar.

Back by popular demand, Garden Café, Norwegian’s action-station restaurant will also be found on board Norwegian Breakaway and will offer guests an abundant assortment of delicious menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No matter what they are craving – guests will find it here and enjoy watching the skilled chefs at each station prepare a wide variety of fresh, made-to-order dishes, including seafood, pizza, fruit, soups, pasta, ethnic specialties, burgers, desserts and more.

Today, the team at Meyer Wharft celebrated the arrival of a key component of Norwegian Breakaway, the ship’s main engines. These exciting photos show Engine #4 being off-loaded from the barge onto the dock.

Norwegian Breakaway will take center stage at Meyer Werftas Celebrity Reflection was moved in order to make room for Norwegian’s newest ship!

Today, Norwegian announced that Norwegian Getaway will make PortMiami her year-round home port, making her the largest ship ever to home port year-round in Miami. Norwegian Getaway will sail weekly cruises beginning in the spring of 2014. Miami-Dade County officials joined Norwegian Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sheehan at PortMiami onboard Norwegian Spirit for this exciting announcement. “Miami has been the home of this Company since our beginning in 1966. Therefore, we are so excited to bring one of our two new Breakaway-class ships here to Miami to homeport year-round,” said Kevin Sheehan. “Norwegian Getaway will embrace all that the Magic City has to offer and will offer an extraordinary cruise experience to the more than 4,000 guests who will sail on her each week beginning in spring 2014.”

On March 22, 2012, Norwegian Breakaway’s youth and teen spaces were unveiled at an event held in partnership with Conde Nast Traveler. Close to 100 hundred travel partners and media were in attendance, along with Norwegian’s CEO Kevin Sheehan, Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Andy Stuart, and Senior Vice President of Marketing, Maria Miller.

At the event, Norwegian revealed the new names for the fleetwide youth and teen programs, which were ch

osen through the line’s Up2U naming contest. “Splash Academy” is the new name for the enhanced youth program and “Entourage” is the new moniker for the revitalized teen program. Names were also selected for the four age groups within the youth program: Guppies for ages 2 and under; Turtles for ages 3 to 5; Seals for ages 6 to 9; and Dolphins for ages 10 to 12.

Norwegian also revealed that Norwegian Breakaway will debut the largest youth and teen dedicated facilities in the fleet. For the first time, the youth area, Splash Academy, will feature areas designed specifically for three specific age groups and will span two decks. It will also be conveniently located adjacent to Norwegian Breakaway’s family-friendly staterooms. Teens will have a dedicated space called Entourage, located at the top of the ship on Deck 16.  Babies and toddlers under age three, along with their parents, will also have their own dedicated play space with activities.

The highlight of the event was when Kevin Sheehan was grilled about the new program by 10-year-old Charlie, son of Conde Nast Traveler Consumer Travel Editor Wendy Perrin. She is a fan of Norwegian and had recently sailed on Norwegian Star.  Her son, a fan of Norwegian’s former youth program, interviewed Kevin about the offerings in the new program. Charlie’s brother, Doug, 8, also joined in when he helped a clown from Hilario Productions with some special circus acts. Hilario Productions will be providing circus classes on board as part of the enhanced program. Special thanks to Brenn, Gina and Chris from Hilario for their performances during the event.

Check out the family video montage showing the new program, here (link to video on Youtube). For more on Norwegian’s family offerings can be found at www.ncl.com/family.