Norwegian Cruise Line continues its push to become the ultimate family friendly cruise line with the introduction of the Norwegian Breakaway – set to sail in the summer of 2013. Not only will it boast the largest children’s and teen facilities of any Norwegian ship, it will feature a huge multi-story Aqua Park. The new Aqua Park will make the Norwegian Breakaway the only ship on the seas with five full-size water slides. If this addition proves to be a popular attraction, and based on the buzz it will be, the sister ship – Getaway, sailing in 2014 will have the same amenities.
Atop the 17th deck of the Breakaway, the Aqua Park will have two swimming pools and four hot tubs alongside the five water slides. Two of the slides, called The Whip, will run and twist side by side for water racing fun. Another, the Free Fall, is one of two drop slides that plummets you feet first into the water, through a trap door that opens from underneath. For the less adventurous, there will be a standard, open-flume body slide that descends into one of the two pools.
Towels and sunscreen will be available nearby, and the Breezeway Bar & Grill features a swimming suit friendly environment for food and drink. Lounge chairs are available on the adjacent deck so parents can rest while the kids get rest, or the kids can rest while the parents get wet. Adults can also slip down one deck to the adult’s only Spice H20 area at the back of the ship on deck 16. There is also an 18 and over area on deck 17 that requires purchasing a guest pass.
Part of the plan for the new water park includes a Nickelodeon themed Kid’s Aqua Park. This part of the park will have a kid-sized water slide and pool. Characters from Nickelodeon will also make appearances, including Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants, Squidward, Patrick, and others. In this area, there will also be multiple features that squirt and shower water on guests, making it a fun, but wet experience. The Breakaway will be the fourth ship in the Norwegian line to feature the Nickelodeon theme, but the first to include it in a water park.
In addition to the new Aqua Park, the top deck of the Breakaway will host a three-story sports deck featuring a ropes course, miniature golf course, rock climbing and a basketball court. The ropes course will offer over 40 different elements including a zip track. Also part of the ropes course will challenge cruisers to “walk the plank.” Wearing the same harness used for rock climbing, they can walk out an 8 foot plank extending over the side of the ship. Those who test their courage will have their photo taken. It’s unclear if this plank can be used for unruly passengers (lol). Rounding off the sports deck is a bungee trampoline and spider web and a 24 ft. enclosed climbing cage.
