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.
“The arrival of the Norwegian Breakaway—the largest cruise ship to homeport in Manhattan—is another proof point of the growth and success of New York City’s $200 million cruise sector, a cornerstone of the City’s $55 billion tourism industry,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
Throughout the christening ceremony simulcast in ten venues around the ship, Norwegian Breakaway’s spectacular 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.
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.
“Last year, New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors, an all-time high—with the addition of Norwegian Breakaway, there will be even more opportunities for visitors to experience and enjoy the best that New York City has to offer, both on land and at sea,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.
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.
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.
While onboard, you’ll be able to enjoy delicacies by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who is opening Ocean Blu, his newest seafood restaurant on Breakaway. There will also be several for-fee restaurants, including those specializing in steak and Italian and Brazilian cuisine. Along with a gelato shop, a 24-hour pub and a sushi spot, you’ll find over a dozen other places to satisfy your palate; you certainly won’t have the chance to go hungry with Norwegian’s freestyle dining!
You’ll be able to watch sizzling Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, which is a five-time Tony Award-nominated hit, and Burn the Floor, a world-touring show making its on-the-sea debut on Breakaway, will both be playing in 2013. Cirque Dreams, Second City, Howl at the Moon and Fat Cats are some more of the excellent entertainment slated for Breakaway’s debut year on the ocean. Big-city entertainment options fit right in on the largest ship to home port in New York.
Whether you’re cruising alone, with a partner or with your children, you’ll find appropriate accommodations and plenty to do. Grown-ups will enjoy the adults-only deck, and singles will have their own space in one of 59 single cabins. Families of five can enjoy oceanview cabins that can hold five people, and smaller families will feel right at home in the mini-suites, which are conveniently located near the children’s activities. Waterslides; a sports complex featuring ziplines, rock-climbing and more; and Nickelodeon-inspired character interactions will keep guests of all ages happy and occupied. There are also activities geared toward age groups from babies to teen, so you’ll know that your kids are safe while you explore and enjoy the ship’s offerings.
Those who are fans of New York City will find that the entertainment and dining aboard Norwegian’s Breakaway rivals that of the Big Apple; this is big-city living while onboard! The week-long itinerary to Bermuda includes three relaxing days at King’s Wharf, so you’ll have plenty of rest and rejuvenation on the pink-hued sand, with palm trees waving and a cocktail in your hand, before getting back on the ship to live it up as you cruise back to the northeast.
Keep this ship in mind for your cruise next year, and stay tuned for more information as Norwegian releases more details!
