At an industry gathering that focused in part on innovations that distinguish one cruise line from another, Norwegian Cruise Line on Wednesday unveiled an unconventional design for its next ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, scheduled to launch in April 2013.
The ship will have an oceanfront boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and bars, called the Waterfront. In some ways, the al fresco area will be like the groundbreaking internal Boardwalk and Central Park areas on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Allure of the Seas — but turned inside out.
The Waterfront will stretch for a quarter-mile on Deck 8 on both sides of the ship. It will feature eight outdoor dining and lounging options, including some from existing NCL ships — Moderno Churrascaria, Cagney’s Steakhouse, La Cucina and others. It also will have a new gelato bar, a new seafood restaurant, Ocean Blu on The Waterfront, and an as-yet unannounced entertainment venue. 
Kevin Sheehan, NCL president and CEO, who announced the design during the annual Cruise Shipping Miami conference in Miami Beach, said the aim was to reconnect passengers to the sea.
The Waterfront is the most striking piece of 678 Ocean Place, public space on decks 6, 7 and 8 that will center around a three-story atrium that will open to all three decks and glass staircases connecting the levels. The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place will have 17 dining venues and 12 bars and lounges.
The 144,000-ton, 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will homeport year-round in New York City, sailing to Bermuda in the summer and Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean in winter.
Sheehan said studies determined the wind would not be a problem in the outdoor areas, but said heaters or some other device might be added for use when it’s cold.
Go here for more information on the new ship.
