Norwegian Cruise Line plans to add two new 4,200-passenger mega-cruise ships to its fleet.
The line has agreed a €700 million deal to build a new ship for delivery in October 2015 with the option for a second vessel to enter service in spring 2017.
The new 163,000-ton newcomer will be larger than the company’s pair of Breakaway class ships currently under construction and incorporate many of those vessels’ design elements and innovations.
With the project name ‘Breakaway Plus’, the new vessel will be the largest in Norwegian’s fleet.
The company has export credit financing in place which was arranged and underwritten by KfW IPEX-Bank of Germany for the construction of the first of the new vessels at the Meyer Werft ship yard in Papenburg.
Norwegian’s chief executive Kevin Sheehan said: “Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have garnered significant attention in the marketplace with their innovative design, rich stateroom mix and world-class amenities.
“Building on that momentum, along with Meyer Werft’s expertise and efficiency in the design and construction process, we are extending the excitement and anticipation with a new, larger edition Breakaway Plus class ship to further distinguish the Norwegian brand.
“This new order further solidifies our commitment to continued innovation in terms of the guest experience and will incorporate technical and environmental advances as well.”
The German shipyard is building Norwegian’s two new 146,600 gross ton, 4,000-passenger Breakaway class vessels.
Norwegian Breakaway is due for delivery in late April 2013 and Norwegian Getaway in mid-January 2014. One will be based in New York and the other in Miami.