Cruise with a Real Guy

Conservationist and Marine Artist Guy Harvey created the hull art for Norwegian Escape, the first of the Breakaway Plus-class of ships for NCL. Now for the second year in a row, others interested in marine conservation can sail aboard Norwegian Escape with him.

The complete story appeared in the July 27 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Escaping a Little Later

Passengers sailing on Norwegian Escape’s eastern Caribbean cruises will have more time to get to Miami this summer, because NCL has changed the sailing time from 4pm to 7pm. The change applies to eastern Caribbean sailings (not western, on alternate weeks) from May 7 to December 31, 2016.

Details appeared in the March 1 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Tweeting Like a Norwegian

A social media record was set by people aboard Norwegian Escape during the ship’s inaugural activities October 22 to November 11, according to EMC, the ship’s internet provider.

Details appeared in the December 28 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - December 2, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:

• The final itinerary for this week's shortened Caribbean Princess cruise
• “Nibblin’ on sponge cake and watchin’ the sun bake” is now going to cost you
• We also reported on the death of Mike Moulin, the former commodore of the Princess fleet. 

Details appeared in the December 2 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - November 9, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:

• Norwegian Escape being named today at PortMiami by international music star Pitbull. 
• Carnival Corp, through their foundation, donating $75,000 to the Central Caribbean Marine institute 

The complete stories appeared in he November 9 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Meyer Delivers Norwegian Escape

Meyer Werft delivered the first ship in Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus-class today at Bremerhaven. The 164,600-ton Norwegian Escape will be the largest in Norwegian’s fleet.

Details appeared in the October 22 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Many Are Invited but Few Are Chosen

Meyer Werft is planning to handover Norwegian Escape to Norwegian Cruise Line on October 22, so Meyer still owns the ship. And what did they do with it over the weekend? They had a party on it and invited all the employees.

In addition to all Meyer’s employees, employees of their subcontractors were also invited to the event which was held where the ship is docked in Bremerhaven. In all, 20,000 people were invited on Saturday evening.

Details appeared in the October 19 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Norwegian “Raps Up” Naming Duties for Norwegian Escape

“No Doubt about It,” Norwegian Cruise Line did not go the traditional route in choosing someone to name Norwegian Escape. Their choice is bound to stir up controversy among traditionalists - and superstitious mariners.

The line said today rapper Pitbull will name Norwegian Escape in Miami during a “high-energy pier side ceremony” on November 9.

The complete story appeared in the October 7 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Norwegian Escape Completes River Trip at Eemshaven

The 164,000-ton Norwegian Escape left Meyer Werft Friday afternoon (September 18, 2015) for its slow trip down the Ems River to Eemshaven where it will take on provisions before leaving on sea trials. The ship sails slowly because it is traveling backwards (for better maneuverability) and must squeeze through vary narrow passages. In places the 169-foot-wide ship goes through passages that are only 173-feet wide. The ship traveled all night and arrived Eemshaven Saturday morning at 8:30an. It will remain at Eemshaven until Thursday when it leaves for sea trials in the North Sea.

The complete story appeared in the September 21 edition of Cruise News Daily.




Video courtesy of Meyer Werft.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - September 15, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:

• Meyer Werft setting Friday as the date for Norwegian Escapes river conveyance
• Two more Holland America ships achieved perfect scores on their unannounced  US Public Health inspections

Details appeared in the September 15 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Norwegian Escape Floats Out

Norwegian’s first Breakaway-Plus ship, Norwegian Escape, floated out of Meyer’s covered building dock early Saturday morning letting the world get their first good look at the larger ship and the Guy Harvey hull art.

Details appeared in the August 17 edition of Cruise News Daily.



Video courtesy of Meyer Werft. All rights reserved.

And a Fresh Coat of Paint

Now it looks like a Norwegian ship. If you check the construction pictures of Norwegian Escape from Meyer Werft when we post them, you’re used to seeing the stark white hull as you’ve been seeing the ship come together. Not anymore. Meyer’s painters have now applied the Guy Harvey artwork to the 1,065-foot hull.

The complete story appeared in the July 29 edition of Cruise News Daily.

 

Photos courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - May 20, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:

• Holland America Line choosing Koningsdam's first captain
• A small fire aboard Norwegian Escape on Tuesday evening in the shipyard.

Details appeared in the May 20 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Anthem's Parts Attached

Meyer Werft showed us an updated view today of Anthem of the Seas which floated out on Saturday night. The webcam view confirmed that on Sunday the ship's funnel was attached as was the arm for the Northstar observation platform.

Anthem of the Seas at Meyer's finishing dock today.

Meanwhile a few meters away, inside Meyer's covered building dock, it looks rather empty. But probably not for long. At the end you can see the two sections of Norwegian Escape, and construction will be starting soon on Ovation of the Seas. 

Norwegian Escape has room to expand now that Anthem of the Seas is outside.

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

NCL Adds Branded Experiences to Plans for Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Cruise Line said today that when Norwegian Escape debuts it will include a series of new branded experiences in well-known leaders in dining and beverages along with Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals and an all-new Supper Club.

Details to follow in today's edition of Cruise News Daily.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for October 22, 2014

* The Legend Continues aboard Norwegian Escape
The newest addition to Norwegian Escape is going to be Miami’s oldest bar.
   Tobacco Road was issued Miami’s very first liquor license in 1912, and it is therefore the city’s oldest bar. After 102 years, the landmark is closing this week in Miami, but it’s going to live on aboard Norwegian Escape. NCL has partnered with Tobacco Road to bring the legendary establishment aboard its Miami-themed ship when it enters service from Miami next year.

* All That Glitters Is Not Gold - It’s also Diamond and Emeralds
Passengers aboard three Princess ships are about to have a new choice when they are considering souvenirs to bring home from their cruises.
   Princess has formed a partnership with Effy Jewelry, the premier American line of diamond and gemstone jewelry, to open stand-alone fine jewelry stores aboard three Princess vessels beginning next month.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for September 30, 2014

* There Will Be Something Familiar about this Ship
Norwegian Cruise Line began to reveal the dining features that will be aboard Norwegian Escape today, and guess what? They are going to be very similar to what’s aboard Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. That shouldn’t be any surprise because Norwegian Escape is a progression from the Breakaway-class.

* Going Nowhere
Holland America’s Veendam, which was supposed to depart Quebec last Sunday, is still there, although the passengers are finding their ways home by now. The ship has an issue with its propeller, and the assessment and determination of the work required is still ongoing.
   Although Holland America hasn’t said it yet, the October 4 sailing from Boston back to Quebec seems rather doubtful to operate too.

* The Relationship with Ireland
Cunard has had an ongoing relationship with Ireland for almost 200 years, and in today’s column, Michael Gallagher writes about it and some of the ships that figured in it. More

* Are You Missing Something?
Earlier this month Oasis of the Seas arrived in the Mediterranean for a short series of cruises there, marking the first time an Oasis-class ship has sailed outside the Caribbean. As excited as agents (and passengers) were to have the opportunity to sell Oasis there, press coverage has been very limited. To prove she’s there, we now have a photo of her in Barcelona below.


The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Oasis of the Seas at Barcelona

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International and Michel Verdure. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission. 

Cruise News Daily Headlines for September 19, 2014

* Meyer Werft Lays Keel for First Breakaway Plus Ship
Meyer Werft in Papenburg is a very busy place these days with several ships already under construction, and yesterday cutting steel for another. You wouldn’t think they’d have room to build any more - but they do.
   The yard laid the keel for Norwegian Escape today. It will be the first of a new class of ships to be delivered in October 2015.

* Major Developments in Turku
Meyer Werft received permission from Germany’s antitrust authority and has finalized the purchase of 70% of the STX yard at Turku, Finland. The Finnish government took the other 30% by way of the Finnish Industry Investment Ltd, an investment company fully owned by the Finnish government. The yard will now be called Meyer Turku Oy.
   At the same time the yard also finalized additional orders from TUI.

* Marking Their Territory
The Royal Caribbean Blog is reporting that Royal Caribbean is in the process of trademarking several potential ship names.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Meyer Werft Lays Keel for First Breakaway Plus Ship

Meyer Werft in Papenburg is a very busy place these days with several ships already under construction, and yesterday cutting steel for another. You wouldn’t think they’d have room to build any more - but they do.
   The yard laid the keel for Norwegian Escape today. It will be the first of a new class of ships to be delivered in October 2015.

The complete article appears in the September 19 edition of Cruise News Daily.

The first block is lowered into place

Bernard Meyer (left) and Kevin Sheehan show the coins placed beneath the keel for luck. There was obviously a miscommunication about Freestyle Friday being canceled.

Bernard Meyer shows off the detail on one of the coins.

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for March 20, 2014

* MSC Orders Two; Maybe Two More
MSC Cruises signed a letter of intent today with STX Europe to build two 167,600-ton ships, with an option for two more. The ships will be a new design and the largest ever built for a European owner.
   The as-yet-unnamed ships will be built at the STX yard in Saint-Nazaire (France) for delivery in 2017 and 2019.  More

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about cutting up in Papenburg ... and the thrill of adventure.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

The first steel cut by Meyer Werft for Norwegian Escape. Note the fancy commemorative cut.

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft. All Rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.