Being the thirteenth ship of cruise operator NCL, »Norwegian Getaway« has started to commute on a weekly basis from her home port Miami into Eastern Caribbean waters. After the early delivery in January, shipbuilder Meyer Werft is now working on the completion of even larger vessels
While sister vessel »Norwegian Breakaway« was under construction for 18 months, it took German Meyer Werft shipyard only 15 months[ds_preview] to complete the second of two Breakaway-class ships. Far ahead of schedule, »Norwegian Getaway« (hull number S 692) was delivered to her owner Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in early January and christened in Miami on 7 February.
She is the thirteenth ship of the US cruise operator and thereof already the tenth that was built at the Papenburg-based shipyard. NCL spent more than 600mill. € for this vessel. To add another superlative, »Norwegian Getaway« (145,655 gt) is – along with her sister – the largest cruise ship ever built in Germany so far.
However, this record won’t stay for long, as Royal Caribbean International has two Quantum-class vessels (167,800 gt) on order at Meyer Werft, which are expected to be delivered in November 2014 (»Quantum of the Seas«) and in spring 2015 (»Anthem of the Seas«), as well as NCL with two Breakaway Plus-class ships (163,000 gt). The latter are due for delivery in October 2015 (»Norwegian Escape«) and in spring 2017 (»Norwegian Bliss«).
Only nine months after the launch of her New York-based sister, »Norwegian Getaway« entered service on 10 January. First, the ship sailed from Bremerhaven to Rotterdam for the start of inaugural festivities, which continued in Southampton. Afterwards, the vessel departed for its transatlantic cruise to New York and served as a hotel ship for the Super Bowl XLVIII
in New Jersey. Christened in Miami by the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, »Norwegian Getaway« now leaves her home port in Florida every Saturday for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. Ports of call include Philipsburg / St. Maarten, St. Thomas / U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Nassau / Bahamas.
Strong link of cruise line and yard
»›Norwegian Breakaway‹ revolutionized cruising with its ›Waterfront‹ and strong connection to New York. ›Norwegian Getaway‹ will do the same as Miami’s ultimate ship, offering the only way to cruise the Caribbean from Miami with a plethora of incredible features,« said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. He emphasized the shipbuilding quality of Meyer Werft and the smooth workflow between the cruise line and the shipyard. »We felt very comfortable having the two Breakaway-class ships being built at Meyer. They do this job for almost 220 years with so much pride.« According to the CEO, Meyer Werft also reacted very flexible and quick to modifications in the initial design that were demanded by NCL. »This was a little bit of a challenge when we were building a ship in France,« Sheehan said at a press conference at the »Norwegian Getaway«. Obviously, he referred to the 2010-launched »Norwegian Epic« from STX France shipyard in St. Nazaire.
»We are more than thrilled to deliver the second Breakaway-class vessel to Norwegian Cruise Line,« said Bernard Meyer, managing partner at Meyer Werft. ›Norwegian Getaway‹ is the newest and most advanced cruise vessel on the seas and we are proud of the team that worked diligently to design and build her.«
Technical features
»Norwegian Getaway« includes latest pod drive technology, improved hydrodynamics through an optimized underwater hull, as well as effective energy saving, heat recovery and a ballast water treatment system (Alfa Laval’s PureBallast). Thus, an ecological cruise experience at significantly reduced operating costs is guaranteed, NCL and Meyer Werft underline.
The engine package consists of four MAN diesel generators of the 12V48/60CR and 14V48/60CR type with a total power output of 62,400 kW. These common rail engines, which can be operated with both marine diesel and heavy fuel oil, are characterized by reduced soot emission and therefore an optimized flue gas behavior. The generators from ABB produce 11,000-V voltage and provide power to the whole ship and its general consumers, such as air conditioning, lighting, and propulsion system.
To ensure optimum maneuverability, »Norwegian Breakaway« is equipped with two Azipods of the type ABB XO with an output of 17,500 kW each. The Azipods can be turned by 360°. They are also equipped with a so-called »x-tail«, which reduces fuel consumption even further.
Moreover, the cruise vessel features three bow thrusters delivered by Brunvoll with 3,000 kW power supply each. The whole propulsion system ensures smooth and silent operation and very low vibration levels on board. The ship can easily be maneuvered via joystick by means of a dynamic positioning system, which keeps the vessel in the given position. The defined position allows, for instance, automatic berthing of the ship alongside a pier.
Through advanced Computional Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the underwater hull has been optimized to provide the least resistance for the average speed of the ship’s planned itineraries, enhancing the vessel’s speed/power ratio by 20%. The ship will also increase its energy efficiency and, therefore, reduce emissions through the use of the latest generation of silicon-based antifouling paint on the ship’s hull.
Automation and bridge system
All technical plants and systems are integrated in the ship’s automation system in order to control and monitor them. The automation system has a decentralized structure; all important systems and plants are connected redundantly. Via several control stations the operator can request technical information and can control the system processes. Additionally, he gets the status reports of the plants and systems during ship operation.
»Norwegian Breakaway« uses an integrated bridge system of the NACOS Platinum type supplied by SAM Electronics. This system contains all components required for safe and comfortable navigation even in much-frequented and narrow waters. The main components are two Multipilots, which display the radar screen, the electronic nautical chart and essential ship data on a monitor.
Further features on the bridge include a trim optimization system from Eniram that collects data over time and optimizes the trim at different loading and speed conditions, while taking weather and wave elements into consideration. In addition, the NAPA voyage optimization system helps to plan the ship’s cruise in more intelligent ways, such as taking currents, engine configuration and weather into account.
Heat recovery, water filtration and sewage system
In close cooperation with the yard an energy management system was developed which includes a heat recovery system through a waste heat exchanger and a new type of sludge recovery system. Heat recovery is implemented on the freshwater and diesel generators. These heat exchangers (four Aalborg XW waste heat recovery boilers) along with waste heat exchangers from the main engines can be used in other sources on board, such as the production of fresh water.
Up to 3.6 mill. liters of potable water can be generated per day on board the ship by three evaporators (from Alfa Laval) and a reverse osmosis system (by Watman). Water consumption is reduced, for instance, by collecting condensed water from the air conditioning system and using it in the laundry. The hot water circuit is heated via a heat recovery cycle of the engine cooling water system and additionally with steam. Potable water can also be taken on board from bunker stations ashore.
All black water is collected in five vacuum systems through a piping system. All sewage water produced on board is treated biologically-chemically in a bioreactor wastewater treatment plant and re-dispensed in process water quality. The accumulating sewage sludge is dewatered, dried and burned in the ship’s waste incinerator; alternatively, it can be disposed of in the port for recycling.
Energy management
NCL is the first cruise line to install a galley energy management system, known as GEM, from Almaco. The system will automatically turn on the ship’s ovens at scheduled times, allowing the chefs to better manage their kitchens throughout the day and further increasing the energy efficiency. A remote control system for the staterooms allows power, air conditioning and lighting to be switched off remotely when guests are not in their staterooms. The majority of lighting in the public spaces of »Norwegian Breakaway« is LED.
Accommodation
»Norwegian Getaway« offers a variety of flexible accommodations ranging from studio staterooms specially designed for solo travelers, to balcony and family staterooms and opulent suites. Altogether, the vessel accommodates 2,014 staterooms. Around 75% of the cabins are outside cabins, most of them with their own balconies. Guests staying in the 42 suites on Decks 15 and 16 in »The Haven« will be pampered with privacy, personalized service and a deluxe array of complimentary amenities. »The Haven« includes a private restaurant, a cocktail bar and a concierge desk. In the center is a two-storey courtyard area with pool that has a deep end for swimming and a shallow area for relaxing, two whirlpools and a private sun deck. Guests also have direct and private access to the ship’s spa and fitness center.
Outside »The Haven«, the so-called spa suites feature easy access to the adjacent spa and fitness center, as well as complimentary access to the thermal spa suite during operating hours.
The mini suites are a roomier version of the balcony stateroom with a larger, more luxurious bathroom. Located on Deck 12 and 13, family mini suites feature all the attributes of the mini suite and are located in close proximity to the children’s facilities. For families with small children, there are a number of staterooms with bathtubs.
The oceanview staterooms feature large picturesque windows. They can accommodate up to five guests and have a bathroom with a modern double sink, bathtub and a second wardrobe for added storage. Studios, on the other hand, are designed and priced for the solo traveller with an innovative bathroom design that includes a separate sink and shower to provide more personal space.
Design and food in Miami style
Other than its sister vessel, which was designed as New York’s ship inside and out, the newest NCL fleet member embodies the essence of its tropical hometown with hull artwork by Miami’s famous painter David »LEBO« Le Batard, featuring a whimsical mermaid holding the sun above the waves.
Among 27 different dining options, »Tropicana Room« is also inspired by the glitz and glamour of the Miami Beach nightlife of the 1940s and 50s. With its rich woods, dark purple and silver fabrics, mirrored columns, along with nostalgic photos from Miami Beach in her heyday, guests feel as if they are dining in a retro supper club. »Flamingo Bar & Grill« could be a typical Miami venue as well. Located near the pool area, it serves Latin favorites like pulled pork, fried yucca, empanadas, Cuban coffee and more.
Next to stylish places like »Sugarcane Bar« or »Sunset Bar«, »Norwegian Getaway« also features Miami’s coolest place to chill out – the ship’s Svedka/Inniskillin »Ice Bar«, featuring Art Deco-style décor, reminiscent of Miami Beach’s famous Ocean Drive.
Extensive entertainment program
In terms of entertainment, the ship is the first to feature the »Grammy Experience at Sea«, which includes artifacts chosen and curated by the Grammy Museum along with live performances by past Grammy winners and nominees. Another first of its kind at sea, »The Illusionarium« is an all-new dining and entertainment experience that envelops guests in the fascinating world of magic, inviting them to experience the astonishing illusions of world-class magicians and supernatural special effects. In addition, »Norwegian Getaway« boasts sizzling Latin-inspired dance productions by Broadway sensation »Burn the Floor«, performances of the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical »Legally Blonde«, and many more entertainment highlights, which are already known from »Norwegian Breakaway«.
Similar to her sister ship, »Norwegian Getaway« offers guests a variety of interconnected indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that creates a multiplex of dining, activities and more, and enhances guests’ connection with the ocean (»The Waterfront«). This high-end event gastronomy is a central part of NCL’s »freestyle cruising« concept.
For family entertainment, Nickelodeon is on board and features a variety of exciting interactive experiences, along with the opportunity to meet SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Dora the Explorer and Diego, among other favorites. The vessel also includes an all new pirate-themed Nickelodeon Kids’ Aqua Park where children can cool off with colorful and larger than life Nickelodeon characters from Bikini Bottom.
The three-story sports complex features an aqua park with five thrilling water slides, including »The Free Fall« – two side-by-side slides where guests have the floor drop from beneath, propelling them into a thrilling loop. On offer are also two swimming pools and one of the largest multi-level elevated ropes course that challenge guests to more than 40 different elements, including a zip track. For a thrill like no other, guests can confront »The Plank«, a platform that extends 2,5 m over the side of the ship.
A nine-hole miniature golf course, a rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and spider web, as well as a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage complete with a spiral slide round out the activities.
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