Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) newest ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, began testing her skills for seaworthiness today during a 24-hour conveyance down the Ems River in Germany. The ship left the MEYER WERFT ship yard to begin the process. The Norwegian Breakaway is the largest cruise ship to ever be built in Germany.
According to NCL, Norwegian Breakaway left the shipyard at approximately 10 am local time in Germany, sailing backwards, and made a narrow passage through the ship yard's locks, with only 1.6 meters clearance separating the ship from the "bumpers" that were specially installed along the starboard side of the locks. This process took about 1.5 hours at a maximum speed of 0.2 knots to ensure that everything was working properly. Once leaving the locks, the Norwegian Breakaway continued along the Ems River, sailing forward.
In addition to making these narrow passages, before reaching her final destination in Eemshaven, Germany early Thursday morning, heading toward the North Sea, Norwegian Breakaway will pass through additional narrow passages, including the locks in Papenburg, which allow only 1.5 meter clearance on each side; Weener Bridge in Weener; Jann-Berghaus Bridge in Leer; and Ems-Barrier in Gandersum.
Once ready for full sailings, the Norwegian Breakaway will use New York City as her homeport. Access to sailing on the new ship will be easy for people in the Charlotte area, as it is less than a two-hour flight from Charlotte's Douglas International Airport to the New York airports.
If you have any questions regarding this ship, or how to book this ship or others, or any other questions, please feel free to send Your Charlotte Cruise Ships Examiner an email at charlottecruiseexaminer@gmail.com. Also, please stay tuned for more cruise happenings in future articles. Until then, Bon Voyage!
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