 |
 |
 |
Norwegian Cruise Line announced the seasoned captains who will serve on Norwegian Breakaway, the company’s most innovative ship to date. Norwegian also introduced the ship’s hotel director, responsible for all guest areas, including the 28 dining options, world-class entertainment which includes three Broadway shows, extensive nightlife venues, family and recreational activities and staterooms ranging from studios to the luxurious suites in The Haven.
Following the ship’s transatlantic voyage and series of exciting inaugural events, Norwegian Breakaway, the largest cruise ship to ever be constructed in Germany, will sail 7-night cruises from New York City to Bermuda under the command of Captain Evans Hoyt, an experienced seafarer, with more than 30 years at sea. He joined Norwegian Cruise Line in 2005. Previously serving as Captain of the company’s U.S.-flagged vessel, Pride of America, Captain Hoyt is responsible for all aspects of the ship, its guests and crew. He also served as Captain aboard three additional ships within the Norwegian fleet, including Norwegian Spirit. Captain Hoyt graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York in 1982. Born in Morocco, the son of a U.S. diplomat has lived in many different countries. Showing his true passion for the sea, he and his wife sail the world on their sailboat during his time off.
While Captain Hoyt is enjoying his holidays, Captain Hakan Svedung will take the helm of Norwegian Breakaway. He has been at sea for 35 years and is currently captain of Norwegian Epic. Captain Svedung, who lives in Sweden, joined Norwegian in 2006; prior to that he worked for Star Cruises, one of Norwegian’s shareholders, for 12 years. Both captains are looking forward to this exciting and challenging new role.
Norwegian has also announced that Denis Prguda will serve as Norwegian Breakaway’s Hotel Director. Prguda began his career at Norwegian in 1997 on board the Leeward and has since held a variety of positions on numerous ships in Norwegian’s fleet. His previous positions have included Food and Beverage Director and Assistant Hotel Director. He was promoted to Hotel Director in 2008. As Hotel Director he has led teams on Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Epic. When he is not on board, Prguda spends his holidays with his family, including his wife and two daughters, in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
“We carefully chose these seasoned veterans to lead the on-board team that will launch the most extraordinary ship in our company’s history,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s President and CEO. “These team members have a proven track record as successful leaders in our operations team and possess the dedication and passion that will make the launch of Norwegian Breakaway in New York City our most successful new ship launch to date.”
Inaugural Sailing Dates
The company will showcase Norwegian Breakaway to travel partners and media in both Europe and the United States during four inaugural sailings, prior to the ship entering weekly summer service to Bermuda from New York City. Following delivery on April 25, 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will sail to Rotterdam for a two-night inaugural cruise departing on April 26, followed by a one-night cruise from Rotterdam to Southampton on April 28, and then a one-night inaugural event in Southampton on April 29. Following her transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York on April 30, the ship will be christened in New York City on May 8, followed by two, two-night inaugural cruises. Following the inaugural events, the ship will set sail on a series of 7-night cruises to Bermuda beginning on May 12.
Norwegian Breakaway
Designed as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway will bring the best of NYC to sea when she arrives to her year-round homeport in early May 2013, offering the high-calibre dining and entertainment options that New York is known for worldwide. To date, the company has revealed the ship’s ground-breaking design, including an open-air boardwalk, The Waterfront, and 678 Ocean Place; a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests’ connection with the ocean. Norwegian Breakaway’s entertainment will include three Broadway shows: five-time Tony nominated ROCK OF AGES; the dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR; and CIRQUE DREAMS & DINNER JUNGLE FANTASY. The famed comedy troupe The Second City, Howl at the Moon duelling pianos, and New York’s own Slam Allen will perform on the vessel. Norwegian Breakaway will also feature an exciting fireworks show on every cruise that will dazzle guests on the second to last night at sea each week, and will be the grand finale of a decadent 1980s-themed deck party.
Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will also debut his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian. Buddy Valastro, star of the American TLC series “Cake Boss”, will open an extension of his popular bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop. The ship will feature a total of 28 dining options on board and an Ice Bar, which will be kept at 8 degrees below zero and feature New York City-inspired speciality cocktails, as well as ice sculptures of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building to pay homage to New York City.
The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway will feature the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-storey sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more.
The ship will also feature a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven by Norwegian™, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship and 22 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travellers; inside, oceanview and balcony staterooms as well as Mini Suites; Spa Balcony staterooms, Spa Mini Suites and Spa Suites in close proximity to the spa.
