Norwegian Breakaway will replace Norwegian Star and embark at least 88 cruises from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal through March 2015. Bermuda service will kick off the program.
Sheehan said he was thrilled to announce the news, adding: ‘New York is not only one of our top markets, but also my hometown.’ He had flown in for the ‘big reveal’ directly from chairing the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference in Puerto Rico.
The Norwegian chief was joined by Mayor Bloomberg and pop artist Peter Max, who has been commissioned to paint the signature hull artwork for Norwegian Breakaway, news that was also announced today. Also present were New York City Economic Development Corp. president Seth Pinsky and NYC & Company ceo George Fertitta.
Bloomberg said out-of-town visitors spent $31bn in New York last year, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in restaurants, shops, hotels and cultural institutions. ‘By making New York City home to its newest and largest ship, Norwegian Cruise Line is further confirming our standing as a top cruise destination and a place that tourists from around the world want to visit,’ the mayor added.
Approximately 583,000 cruisers embarked in New York in 2010 and that number continues to grow, helping the city to report record tourism figures year after year, according to Fertitta. ‘We hope Norwegian Breakaway and all of the Norwegian Cruise Line passengers will have an opportunity to visit New York City pre- or post-cruise and discover the energy and vibrancy of all five boroughs,’ he added.
Norwegian was the first cruise line to homeport year-round in New York, beginning in 2003. Since then, the company has brought its newest and largest ships, with two vessels calling since 2005.
In 2013, Norwegian Breakaway is expected to make 34 calls, and Norwegian Gem will continue to operate year-round, with an expected 47 calls. Norwegian Star will make 15 calls in 2013 before being replaced. In total, NCL ships will bring approximately 285,000 embarking passengers, generating some $70m in direct spending, a $13.5m increase due to Norwegian Breakaway.
The newbuild is scheduled for delivery from Meyer Werft in April 2013. Following inaugural events, the ship will sail 22 seven-day Bermuda cruises from May 12 through Oct 6. Departing on Sundays, the ship will spend three full days in Bermuda.
Minister of Transport Terry Lister said Bermuda is ‘honored to be the destination of choice for the inaugural sailings of Norwegian Breakaway.’
The cruises are scheduled to go on sale to NCL’s Latitudes members on Oct. 14 and to the public on Oct. 17. Also, as part of its ‘Partners First’ commitment, Norwegian will open Breakaway’s sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel partners on Monday.
