PHOTO CUTLINE: Norwegian Breakaway
The Port of St. Maarten is looking forward to welcoming another new vessel that will be calling at the destination, namely Norwegian Breakaway in January 2014.
The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) took delivery of the 146,600 gross tonnage vessel from Meyer Werft a few months ago after a building period of 18 months. The vessel carries 4,000 cruise passengers and 1,600 crew.
Norwegian Breakaway is the first of two Breakaway class ships the Papenburg-based shipyard is building for NCL. The Norwegian Getaway, the sister ship, will launch in Miami in early 2014.
Beginning October 13, Norwegian Breakaway will offer seven-day voyages from New York City to The Bahamas and Florida, as well as two 12-day sailings to the Southern Caribbean.
The new design of the luxury vessels offers guests a multitude of special features and comfort where approximately 75 per cent of the staterooms are outside staterooms, most of them with their own balconies.
The vessel carries the latest engine technology with respect to energy saving and ecological. The diesel-electric pod drive system, improved hydrodynamics as well as effective energy saving, heat recovery or ballast water treatment, guarantees significantly reduced operating costs.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies is looking forward to welcoming another new vessel to the Port of St. Maarten in January 2014.
"I am very pleased to learn about the new innovations that went into constructing this new luxury vessel that is better for the environment and also cuts down on the operating costs for the cruise line. This means that the line can offer cheaper cruises allowing for more people to take a cruise which in turn means more business for the destination.
"NCL has been a strategic partner for the country for many years and we look forward to welcoming this new luxurious vessel come January 2014," CEO Mark Mingo said.