Undocking: “Norwegian Bliss” leaves Meyer Werft

Just under 16 months after the start of construction in October 2016, the time has come: The cruise ship “Norwegian Bliss” will be unpacked tomorrow. Numerous spectators are expected when the newest luxury liner of the Meyer shipyard gets into the fresh air. NDR.de transmits the manoeuvre here at this point in the live stream.

Last work on deck and underwater ship

The preparations have meanwhile reached the final phase: On Thursday, the dock was flooded. Previously, there were still numerous fine work and decreases on the underwater vessel necessary – the part that is later submerged and then only difficult to access. Up to 2,000 workers daily have taken care of the tasks involved. According to press spokesman Günther Kolbe, areas such as the deck and the balconies were completed in the final sprint, because they have to be weatherproof after undocking. Already last weekend, the propellers were mounted. “We are fully on schedule,” says Kolbe.

Chimney comes by crane

After undocking, the “Norwegian Bliss” will moor at the yard’s equipment pier, where she gets her chimney from a heavy-duty crane. Until the Ems overpass, which is scheduled for the second weekend of March, according to Kolbe further equipment works, trials and acceptances are carried out by the shipping company. At the beginning of March, the first of the approximately 1,600 crew members will board the ship to start training. On April 19, the ship is to be handed over to the shipping company Norwegian Cruise Line in Bremerhaven.

The “Norwegian Bliss” before their first ride

Norwegian Sun to Offer Cuba Cruises from PortMiami

The Norwegian Sun is set for a short Cuba program from PortMiami

Norwegian Cruise Line put new cruises on sale to Cuba and the Caribbean aboard the Norwegian Sun round-trip from Miami, Florida.

“We are thrilled to reveal Norwegian Sun’s new fall 2018 itineraries, which will be the first time our brand has featured a call in Havana, Cuba on seven-day and longer cruises,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “These new itineraries offer a remarkable breadth of experiences for guests with a culturally immersive full day and evening in Havana, complemented by several visits to world-class destinations across the Caribbean and beyond.”

The Norwegian Sun will sail six new seven-day cruises from Miami departing on Sundays from September 9 through October 14.

Port calls include Havana, Cuba, Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas; Costa Maya, Mexico and Harvest Caye, Belize. The ship’s nine-day Cuba and the Caribbean cruises will expand upon her seven-day sailings and also include additional visits to Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico.

There’s also a 13-day Cuba, Caribbean and Panama Canal sailing on Oct. 30, with calls in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Cartagena and Santa Marta, Colombia and Oranjestad, Aruba, among others.

Norwegian Cruise Line has also added a new five-day cruise to Cuba and the Bahamas from Port Canaveral on September 3. The new cruise will round out the ship’s season sailing from the Space Coast with an afternoon visit to Key West, Florida then heads to Havana for an overnight visit, followed a call in Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Norwegian Encore Will Debut in 2019 in Miami, not China

Norwegian Encore Steel Cutting

Norwegian Cruise Line marked today the start of construction for its newest ship with a steel cutting ceremony.

Named Norwegian Encore, the latest addition to its fleet will sail the Caribbean from Miami seasonally beginning fall 2019.

No mention was made of the previous announcement that the ship would be designed for the Chinese market.

Norwegian confirmed the ship will begin sailings from Miami in fall 2019 in a prepared statement.

“Norwegian Encore will be the ultimate Breakaway Plus Class vessel and we are thrilled to celebrate the start of construction for this incredible new ship,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Over 50 years ago the Norwegian brand began creating unforgettable vacation moments with the first inter-island cruise in the Caribbean from Miami. We continue building on our legacy of innovation with this brand-new state-of-the-art vessel perfect for exploring the natural beauty of some of the most remarkable islands in the world.”

At approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating 4,000 guests, Norwegian Encore will sail weekly seven-day Caribbean cruises each Sunday from PortMiami.

“We are excited to start production for Norwegian Encore and to create another floating destination for Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Stephan Schmees, Executive Board Member Project Management Ships, Meyer Werft.

The Norwegian Encore will be the seventeenth ship in the Norwegian fleet and the line’s fourth and final ship in the Breakaway Plus Class, described as the most successful class in the brand’s history.

In addition, Norwegian recently made changes to its China management team.