New Norwegian Cruise Line ship celebrated in ceremony
![The first of 73 blocks that will make up Norwegian Cruise Line's 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway is laid into place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Oct. 30, 2012.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/cruiselog/2012/11/02/s692_ncl_getaway_keellaying_dsc1912_small-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The construction of a new Norwegian Cruise Line ship scheduled to debut in 2014 reached a major milestone this week as the first of 73 pre-built sections of the vessel was laid into place in a dry dock.
Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan joined executives at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Tuesday in a traditional "keel laying" ceremony to mark the beginning of the 146,600-ton Norwegian Getaway's assembly.
The Norwegian Getaway is scheduled to go into service in February 2014. It's a sister to the Norwegian Breakaway, which is scheduled to debut in May 2013.
Named by USA TODAY readers last year in a contest held here at usatoday.com, the two new vessels will boast a number of new-for-the-line features including restaurant-lined boardwalks. The Norwegian Breakaway will feature hull art designed by artist Peter Max.
Norwegian last month ordered a third new vessel for delivery in 2015 and has an option for a fourth new ship for delivery in 2017. The company currently has 11 vessels in its fleet.