TV chef among those dishing out praise for new ship

“I’m eight floors up and this is great. There are shops, bars, there’s entertainment, gaming and more.”

This from Buddy Valastro, TV star on the Food Network who has a number of shows, including the Cake Boss. He was present as the Norwegian Breakaway was christened on Wednesday in a ceremony that a bit of everything.

From dancing to singing to walking the plank, the ceremony showed off the latest ship in the Norwegian Cruise line fleet. It will be calling in Bermuda for the first time on Wednesday.

Bermuda Premier Craig Cannonier was one of the invited dignitaries and he gave his speech to packed audience in the Breakaway’s Theatre.

The ceremony gave a taster of the entertainment onboard from the all three Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dream and Dinner Jungle Fantasy.

Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO, said he drove a cab and he was “A New Yorker through and through. This is New York’s ship. We’ve taken the best of New York City and taken it to sea. You get the best of both worlds”

New York themes

The ship has many elements that will remind people of New York. Besides the Broadway shows, the Ice Bar has three sculptures — The Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building — that help bring in a New York Flavour.

Adding to the New York elements is artwork on the hull by Peter Max.

He said it was “unbelievable to have something so big with my art on it.”

Captain Evan Hoyt “bringing to you the largest, most advanced cruise to ever be home-ported here in New York.

“We are excited to be New York’s own cruise ship. The islands await. Come and sail with us.”

New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg said with all the Big Apple features “Breakaway passengers will never really leave New York behind.”

The Breakaway is the first ship that Mr Sheehan has completely overseen since he took over as CEO.

He said “This is the first ship we’ve designed, built and launched as the new Norwegian Cruise Line and isn’t she a beauty?”

The Rockettes, the Breakaway’s godmothers, said officially christened the Breakaway when they said in unison: “We bless this ship and all who sail on her.”

Shortly thereafter, the ship left Pier 88 in Manhattan for a two-day sailing for invited guests, which included Premier Cannonier and Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell. 

• See our special video package on the Norwegian Breakaway: Breakaway: Bound for Bermuda - Part 1. There’s also a ‘Breakaway’ section.