Norwegian Cruise Line orders two new ships
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it has reached an agreement with Meyer Werft GmbH of Germany to build two new Breakaway Plus-class cruise ships for delivery in the second quarter 2018 and the fourth quarter 2019. Each ship will be 164.600 gross tonnes and include 4.200 passenger berths, the company said in its press release.
“Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have proven themselves as industry game-changers and are extremely popular with our guests,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s President and CEO. “It was only natural that we build on their success with this new ship order that further solidifies our long-term growth strategy.”
The contract price for both ships is approximately euro 1,6 billion. The Company has export credit financing in place for each ship, arranged and underwritten by KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH of Germany.
“We are thrilled that Norwegian Cruise Line has the continued confidence in Meyer Werft to expand their fleet,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft. “We are very proud of our longstanding relationship with Norwegian.”
Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered the concept of Freestyle Cruising which offers guests the freedom and flexibility to enjoy their cruise holiday on their own terms, including multiple dining venues, a relaxed dress code, a variety of accommodation and world-class entertainment. The Company took Freestyle Cruising to the next level with the introduction of Norwegian Epic in June 2010 and subsequently launched two game-changing vessels, Norwegian Breakaway based in New York in May 2013 and Norwegian Getaway home ported in Miami in February 2014. These ships incorporate ground-breaking design, including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place, a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks creating a whole new complex at sea and connecting guests with the ocean.
About Meyer Werft GmbH
Founded in 1795, Papenburg-based Meyer Werft is owned by the seventh generation of the Meyer family. This well-established company has approximately 3.000 employees. Meyer Werft’s extensive production program covers a wide range of ship types, from cruise ships and gas tankers to car and passenger ferries. In order to stay successful in worldwide competition, production technology has been continuously improved and extended. Today, MEYER WERFT has the most modern production premises in the shipbuilding industry.
About Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line is an internationally operating cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida with two offices in Wiesbaden and London overseeing operations in Europe.
Founded in 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites guests to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of 13 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise holiday on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. Recently, the line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the sixth consecutive year, as well as “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” and, for the second consecutive year, “World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards.