Tag Archives: Papenburg

Norwegian Bliss Sailing Toward Open Seas

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Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss departed Meyer Werft, the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and sailed backwards on the narrow Ems River on its way to the North Sea. It was expected to arrive at Eemshaven, Netherlands, on the evening of March 14.

Norwegian Bliss will offer seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle throughout the summer.

The ship will feature many first-at-sea activities, including the largest two-level race track at sea, Q Texas Smokehouse, Coco’s chocolate and treat shop, and the Tony Award-winning Broadway show “Jersey Boys.”

Measuring 994 feet long, 136 feet wide, and at a gross tonnage of 168,028, the Norwegian Bliss made the narrow passage through Meyer Werft’s sea lock with less than four feet clearance. This very careful manoeuvre took about two hours at a speed of only 0.2 knots.

After passing through the sea lock, Norwegian Bliss continued along the river stern first, which helps with the manoeuvrability of the ship and is a key component when navigating through such narrow passages. The journey to Eemshaven included cruising through the narrow passages of the Friesenbrücke Bridge in Weener; Jann Berghaus Bridge in Leer; and Ems-Barrier in Gandersum.

Norwegian Bliss as seen on AIS in Eemshaven

Upon arrival in Eemshaven, the ship will take on additional provisions and crew members, before heading toward the North Sea for technical and nautical sea trials. This will be one of the final phases before Norwegian Cruise Line takes delivery of its 16th ship on April 19 in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Norwegian Bliss will then begin passage across the Atlantic Ocean on April 21 and will arrive in the U.S. on May 3 for an inaugural tour. Events will take place in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, and will conclude with a christening ceremony on May 30 at the new Pier 66 at the Port of Seattle.

Norwegian Bliss will begin seven-day Alaska cruises June 2. In the fall, it will cruise to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. In winter of 2018, it will sail to the Caribbean from Miami, and in the 2019 fall/winter season, she will cruise from New York City to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.

AIDA Orders Ship for 2023 Delivery from Meyer Werft

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AIDA's 2023 Ship

Carnival Corporation announced it has signed a shipbuilding contract for a third LNG-powered cruise ship for its AIDA Cruises brand. The ship will be built at Meyer Werft, with an estimated 2,700 staterooms at 180,000 tons.

It is the 98th ship on order for the global fleet between now and 2026. 

With today’s announcement, AIDA Cruises now has a total of three LNG ships on order. AIDAnova is scheduled to join AIDA Cruises’ fleet in December as the first ship of its new generation of LNG vessels, and the first-ever cruise ship in the world to be fully powered by LNG. The second ship of this series will be christened in the spring of 2021.

“On board our ships, which travel the most beautiful destinations worldwide, we offer the greatest holiday variety on the German market with a complete package of culture, entertainment, sports, wellness and culinary delights,” said Felix Eichhorn, president of AIDA Cruises. “The interest in AIDAnova, the first ship of our new generation, is enormous, even before the commissioning later this year. With today’s new shipbuilding contract, we will ensure the further growth of the cruise market in the long term and will be able to provide excellent cruises for this steadily growing holiday segment in the future as well. Thanks to an even wider variety on board, we are opening up completely new possibilities for attracting new target groups across generations for this unique holiday experience.”

Tim Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft, said: “This is the 10th AIDA Cruises ship we are building in Papenburg, emphasizing a long-term partnership between AIDA Cruises and Meyer Werft. AIDAnova and the following two sister ships feature the latest technology focused on sustainability and energy efficiency.”

Undocking: “Norwegian Bliss” leaves Meyer Werft

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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.

https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/norwegianbliss154-ardplayer_image-e5deae98-ab38-4ba3-8f87-a10526107386_theme-ndrde.html?autoplay=false

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