Construction has officially started on Norwegian Cruise Lines upcoming Norwegian Bliss. The first piece of steel was cut at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The event was held on October 28 at the shipyards laser center.
The steel which was cut is just the start of a long process where the huge vessel will begin to comes together. The plasma torch cut the steel which is the first of 81 blocks that will comprise the ship. The steel cutting ceremony was attended by cruise line and shipyard executives and is just one of several major milestones during construction.
Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd said:
“As we close in on Norwegian Cruise Line’s 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to celebrate the start of construction for Norwegian Bliss, our latest and most innovative ship yet.”
“Norwegian Bliss will offer the ultimate in Alaska adventures, both on and off the ship, and we look forward to welcoming guests onboard in June 2018.”
Norwegian Bliss is the third Breakaway-Plus class ship and is being designed for cruises to Alaska. The vessel is the twelfth NCL ship being built by the German based Meyer Werft. Once completed the vessel will be approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating 4,000 guests. The ship will be going for green with exhaust gas scrubbers, which significantly decrease air emissions including the reduction up to 99 percent of sulfur into the atmosphere.
Norwegian Bliss will sail from pier 66 in Seattle, Washington from June 2018 and sail weekly cruises to Alaska. Just days ago the cruise line also revealed the ship’s hull artwork design by Wyland which Cruise Hive previously reported.
NCL will be releasing further details on the ship in January 2017 and we’ll be keeping readers updated on all the latest.
