Wiesbaden, Germany, 2015-9-21 — /Travel PR News/ — Norwegian Escape, soon to be the largest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, has successfully completed her approximately 24-hour long conveyance along the Ems River, reaching her final destination in Eemshaven, Netherlands at 8:30 am (local time in Germany) on Saturday, September 19.
The completion of Norwegian Escape’s river conveyance marks another key milestone in the ship’s highly anticipated delivery. Measuring 326 metres in length and more than 40 metres in width, the ship is the first in the line’s Breakaway Plus-Class. Three additional ships in the class are on order at Meyer Werft.
“After seeing first-hand last week how spectacular Norwegian Escape already looks, I am thrilled that she is officially on her journey to welcome guests next month,” said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “As the first Breakaway Plus-Class ship, she will offer the very best in freedom and flexibility for our guests and we cannot wait to officially welcome her to the fleet.”
Sailing backwards, Norwegian Escape left Meyer Werft last Friday at approximately 2:00 pm (local time in Germany), and made a narrow passage through the ship yard’s locks, with only 1,2 meters clearance separating the ship from the “bumpers” that were specially installed along the starboard side of the locks. This very careful manoeuvre took approximately 2 hours at a maximum speed of only 0,2 knots. The precise navigation included a team of two located on the bridge, with one navigation officer in charge of overseeing the bow manoeuvres and the other overseeing the movement of the stern, led by experienced River Ems pilots.
After passing through the locks, Norwegian Escape continued along the river, stern first. Due to the strong propulsion in the aft section of the vessel, traveling stern first helps with manoeuvrability, which is a key component when navigating the vessel through such narrow passages.
Before reaching her final destination in Eemshaven, Netherlands on Saturday, September 19, Norwegian Escape passed through additional narrow passages including the Weener Bridge in Weener; Jann-Berghaus Bridge in Leer; and Ems-Barrier in Gandersum. In Eemshaven, the ship will take on additional provisions and materials to welcome guests in late October, before heading toward the North Sea for her sea trials later this month.
Norwegian Escape, soon to be the largest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, will sail weekly 7-night cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean beginning on November 14, 2015. The 164.600 gross ton ship will be the largest ever to home port year-round in Miami, carrying 4.200 guests to tropical Caribbean destinations including St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
Learn more about Norwegian Escape’s luxurious accommodation, as well as her distinctive dining, entertainment, shopping and leisure options, by visiting www.eu-escape.norwegiancruiseline.eu.
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. In September 2015, the line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the eighth consecutive year, as well as in October 2014, for the second consecutive year, “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards. In addition the company has received the World Travel Award as “World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line” from 2012 to 2014.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010 and, in the United States, has been named “Best Overall Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly two years in a row and “Best Ship for Sea Days” by Cruise Critic. The Company recently took delivery of its most innovative ship to date, the 4.000-passenger Norwegian Getaway in the first quarter of 2014. The Company has four 4.200-passenger vessels on order at Meyer Werft: Norwegian Escape with delivery scheduled in the autumn of 2015, Norwegian Bliss with delivery in the spring of 2017 and two further ships with delivery in the spring of 2018 and autumn of 2019.
High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.eu/news
Further information and bookings in travel agencies or at:
NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Wiesbaden Office, Continental Europe Branch, Kreuzberger Ring 68, 65205 Wiesbaden, Germany
In Europe toll free: 00800 03 10 21 21; Fax: 00800 03 10 21 22, From France: Tel: +49 1805 62 55 27 (€ 0,14/min from landline network), E-Mail: reservations@ncl.com; Internet: www.ncl.eu
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Norwegian Escape successfully completed her approximately 24-hour long conveyance along the Ems River