Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, was christened by the legendary Rockettes® during a ceremony officiated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” hosted the highly anticipated ceremony. “The arrival of the Norwegian Breakaway—the largest cruise ship to homeport in Manhattan—is another proof point of the growth and success of New York City’s $200 million cruise sector, a cornerstone of the City’s $55 billion tourism industry,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Throughout the christening ceremony simulcast in ten venues around the ship, Norwegian Breakaway’s spectacular onboard amenities and entertainment were showcased in front of more than 4,000 guests. From live performances by Slam Allen, Howl at the Moon, Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy, along with Burn the Floor and a show stomping finale featuring Rock of Ages, Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship ever to homeport in Manhattan, kicked off its arrival to New York City in style. “New York’s ship is home where she belongs,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We’ve been anticipating this moment for more than two years and are so thrilled to finally have Norwegian Breakaway amongst New York City’s greatest icons. We thank the City of New York for the warm welcome and are looking forward to a very successful inaugural season.”

Boasting hull artwork designed by pop icon and America’s most popular living artist, Peter Max, Norwegian Breakaway was designed as New York’s ship inside and out. On board, guests will enjoy the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York City is known for worldwide, including three new restaurants by Food Network star and acclaimed New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian. The ship’s groundbreaking design also includes an open-air boardwalk called The Waterfront, the largest aqua park at sea, with five waterslides, and a wide array of accommodations including 60 suites in The Haven, innovative studios for solo travelers, ocean view staterooms, balcony and mini-suite staterooms for families.

“The cruise industry in New York City continues to thrive, with a total economic impact of nearly $200 million last year alone, which is why we have made significant investments to accommodate a new generation of ships like the Norwegian Breakaway” said NYCEDC Executive Director Kyle Kimball. “The Norwegian Breakaway, a state-of-the-art ship, will ensure the continued growth in this critical industry, generating millions of dollars in spending, creating jobs and helping to maintain our reputation as a cruise capital of the world.”

“Last year, New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors, an all-time high—with the addition of Norwegian Breakaway, there will be even more opportunities for visitors to experience and enjoy the best that New York City has to offer, both on land and at sea,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. Norwegian Breakaway will begin her weekly seven-day cruises to Bermuda, throughout the summer, on Sunday, May 12 with a special guest onboard, Kevin Sheehan, the line’s Chief Executive Officer. From October through April, Norwegian Breakaway will offer seven-day voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas and Florida, as well as two 12-day sailings to the Southern Caribbean.

Designed as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway brings the best of NYC to sea from her year-round homeport in Manhattan, offering the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York is known for worldwide. The ship’s groundbreaking design includes 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 includes 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 dueling pianos, and New York’s own Slam Allen also perform on the vessel. Norwegian Breakaway features an exciting fireworks show on every cruise that will dazzle guests on the second to last night at sea each week, and is the grand finale of a decadent 1980s-themed deck party.

Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian has also debuted his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, along with two additional venues, The Raw Bar and Ocean Blue on the Waterfront. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” opened an extension of his popular bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop, onbard. The ship features a total of 27 dining options on board and an Ice Bar, which is kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit and features New York City-inspired specialty cocktails, as well as ice sculptures of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty to pay homage to New York City.

The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway 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-story 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 also offers 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 travelers; Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa.

For more information on the incredible features and accommodations on Norwegian Breakaway, visit www.breakaway.ncl.com.

Reported by © www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Here is the transcript and photos from our live Twitter feed from Wednesday afternoon (March 17) as we watched a special preview of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic Cirque Dreams dinner show.

Cirque Dreams is a theatrical dining experience that will be launched with the Epic. The show is an eccentric entertainment extravaganza presented with an array of world class talent, Broadway acrobatics, a touch of whimsy and tasteful participation.

Andy Stuart poses with the @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams cast #cruise #travel Andy Stuart poses with the @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams cast #cruise #travel http://tweetphoto.com/14751228

12:26 PM Mar 17th via UberTwitter Andy Stuart says @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams show will change the face of #cruise entertainment #travel http://tweetphoto.com/14750617

12:20 PM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams has contingency plans in case of rough seas – seas are part of show #cruise http://tweetphoto.com/14749864

12:14 PM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic – Andy Stuart talks about Cirque Dreams #cruise #travel http://tweetphoto.com/14749118

12:07 PM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams Attila the Fun is amazing. The 2 hour show will be nonstop fun. #cruise #tra http://tweetphoto.com/14748387

12:00 PM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque
Dreams Attila the Fun #cruise #travel http://tweetphoto.com/14747889

11:55 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams show will have a high wire act #cruise #travel http://myloc.me/4VnSj

11:51 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams show cupcake sisters – yes we were served cupcakes!! #cruise #travel http://tweetphoto.com/14746574

11:43 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams strong man performers. You can almost reach out and touch them #cruise http://tweetphoto.com/14745882

11:37 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter @NCLFreestyle Epic Cirque Dreams show is right over our heads!!! Cool! http://tweetphoto.com/14744991

11:29 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter Neil Goldberg of Cirque Productions for the @NCLFreestyle Epic #cruise http://tweetphoto.com/14743601

11:16 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter Costume at Cirque Productions for the @NCLFreestyle Epic #cruise http://tweetphoto.com/14743444

11:15 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter #cruise Performer at Cirque Productions for the @NCLFreestyle Epic http://tweetphoto.com/14742877

11:10 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter #cruise Cirque Productions practice studio for the @NCLFreestyle. Epic will be able to acommodate 247 guests http://tweetphoto.com/14742148

11:04 AM Mar 17th via UberTwitter We’ve arrived at Cirque Productions for the @NCLFreestyle Epic http://tweetphoto.com/14741826