NORWEGIAN ADDS ICE CREAM BAR

Credit: Norwegian

That line of people you see on Norwegian Breakaway is no doubt connected to the just-announced Ice Cream Bar, which will also be available on its sister ship, Norwegian Getaway, arriving in Miami next February.

Located inside O’Sheehan’s, the Ice Cream Bar's "over-the-top menu" features milkshakes, malts and an assortment of ice cream sundaes, including classic Hot Fudge Sundaes, Hot Caramel Sundaes and Banana Splits. Or how about a classic Peach Melba, with peaches, vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce and whipped cream and Pear William, made with pears, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. If they need taste testers, we are available. -- Gerry

TWO SAILINGS TO FEATURE CELEBRITY CHEF

Geoffrey Zakarian (Credit: Norwegian)

For those who watch the Food Network, you know Geoffrey Zakarian as one of the judges who frequently helps decide who gets "Chopped." You may also know he has three restaurants on Norwegian's newest ship, Breakaway.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Zakarian will host a number of special activities on board Breakaway during two of the ship’s upcoming sailings: November 3 and December 1, 2013, where passengers can meet and interact with the Iron Chef in his on-board restaurant, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian.

During those sailings Zakarian will host a meet and greet session, giving guests the chance to take a photo, and a dynamic cooking demonstration, followed by a personalized book signing of his latest cookbook. "The special event of each cruise will be the opportunity to attend an intimate dining experience where a limited number of guests will enjoy a specially-curated Ocean Blue tasting menu served by the Iron Chef himself."

Zakarian launched three new seafood-centric restaurants on Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian; The Raw Bar, an adjacent bar and Ocean Blue on The Waterfront, a more casual dining option. -- Gerry

SECOND 'BREAKAWAY PLUS' SHIP ON ORDER

Credit: Norwegian

Norwegian's newest ship, Breakaway, is a runaway hit with cruisers. So much so the cruise line now has two more ships in the new "Breakaway Plus" class on order. Here are the details from Norwegian:

"Norwegian Cruise Line announced Tuesday that it has confirmed an order for a second 'Breakaway Plus' cruise ship with MEYER WERFT GMBH of Papenburg, Germany for delivery in spring 2017. Along with the first Breakaway Plus ship, which is scheduled for delivery in October 2015, these two new vessels will be the largest in the line’s fleet at approximately 163,000 gross tons and 4,200 passenger berths each and will be similar in design and innovation to the line’s current Breakaway class, the first of which, Norwegian Breakaway, launched in New York in early May.

'BREAKAWAY' MAKES FIRST STOP IN BERMUDA

Breakaway docks in Bermuda (Norwegian)

Norwegian Breakaway, the new and shiny star in Norwegian's fleet, made her inaugural stop in Bermuda today. At 146,600 gross tons, it's reportedly the largest ship to ever port in Bermuda, docking at Heritage Wharf. Norwegian reported Bermuda’s Premier Craig Cannonier and local officials greeted the ship and Captain Evans Hoyt with much fanfare, according to their release. “On behalf of the people of Bermuda, we are so pleased to welcome Norwegian Breakaway to Bermuda,” said Cannonier at a press conference held on the dock. “We thank Norwegian Cruise Line for bringing their magnificent new vessel to our beautiful island. The ship’s guests and crew are of the utmost importance to us and we will show them all that Bermuda has to offer.” -- Gerry

ROCKETTES WELCOME 'BREAKAWAY' TO NEW YORK

The Rockettes (Credit: Norwegian)

Norwegian Breakaway was christened by the Rockettes in New York May 8 during a ceremony officiated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” hosted.

'BREAKAWAY' READY FOR HER N.Y. DEBUT

Norwegian Breakaway (Credit: NCL)

Tomorrow is the much-anticipated big day for Norwegian Breakaway. The 146,600-gross ton ship, "the largest ever to call Manhattan its home," will be christened on May 8 in a ceremony featuring The Rockettes, celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and New York City officials, among others. Sporting signature hull art designed by legendary artist Peter Max, more than 4,000 guests will take part in the ship’s christening. A live webcast of the ceremony will be available at www.breakaway.ncl.com. In addition, fireworks are planned near the Statue of Liberty at approximately 8:30 pm Wednesday evening. On May 12, she begins a series of seven-day cruises to Bermuda through October. In the fall, she will offer seven-day voyages to the Bahamas and Florida, as well as two 12-day sailings to the Southern Caribbean. -- Gerry

'BREAKAWAY' PASSES ALL HER TESTS

Norwegian Breakaway (Credit: Norwegian)

Norwegian Breakaway is one step closer to her official debut in May, successfully completing technical and nautical sea trials off the coast of Norway and Denmark. You might be interested in just how a big cruise ship is tested. Here are some details from Norwegian:

"In order to assess the ship’s speed, the Captain, navigational officers and representatives from MEYER WERFT tested all of the various power outputs for the propellers. The speed was then adjusted to various levels at each power output level. Every speed test that Norwegian Breakaway underwent was successful and exceeded the required technical specifications.

'BREAKAWAY' FLOATED OUT

Breakaway emerges bow first in Germany
(Credit: Norwegian)

It's an exciting morning for Norwegian. They report Norwegian Breakaway was floated out of MEYER WERFT’s covered building dock II this morning in Papenburg, Germany where the 146,600-ton ship has been under construction since September 2011. Norwegian reports it is not only the first ship to depart there bow first, but also the largest ship ever constructed in Germany. It makes it's New York debut in 58 days. -- Gerry

NORWEGIAN ADDS BERMUDA EXCURSIONS

The pink sand beaches of Bermuda (Credit: Norwegian)

With Norwegian Breakaway launching in May, Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded its tour offerings in Bermuda. They have added several new excursions only available on Breakaway, and  a number of excursions for guests on both Breakaway and Norwegian Dawn, sailing from Boston to Bermuda. Guests can go reef fishing at night, bike the original Bermuda railway trail or go at their own pace with a private boat tour. -- Gerry

CARLO'S BAKE SHOP COMING TO 'BREAKAWAY'

Master baker Buddy Valastro (Courtesy: Norwegian)

Passengers on Norwegian Breakaway may think they haven't left New York, the new ship's home port when it debuts in May. Now comes word it will have an extension of that famous New York-area bakery, Carlo's Bake Shop, featured with master baker Buddy Valastro on the TLC series “Cake Boss” and “Next Great Baker.” Guests can pre-order custom specialty cakes for celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries as well as attend cupcake decorating classes. It will be located on Deck 8 and feature menu items such as Buddy’s famous Oreo, Dark Chocolate Mousse and Purple Groovy Fondant cakes, along with "luscious chocolate and vanilla cannolis." I think Pam is already heading to the dock. -- Gerry

'BREAKAWAY' THEME OF TONIGHT'S #FOODIECHAT

Geoffrey Zakarian (Norwegian)

You may be one of the two million followers of the weekly #FoodieChat on Twitter. If so, listen up. Tonight's topic is the food to be found on Norwegian's new ship, Breakaway, debuting from New York in May. Celebrity chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will focus on Breakaway's culinary delights live from Zakarian’s restaurant in New York City, The Lambs Club. The theme is #NorwegianBreakaway and "a select group of New York City foodies and 'tweeters' have been invited to eat and tweet live as Zakarian personally prepares some of his favorite vacation-inspired cocktails and bites."

Every Monday, #FoodieChat creator and host Steve Green asks the community 10 questions centered on that week's food-related theme. Participants respond to the questions via Twitter, sharing photos and personal experiences related to each question. It starts at  8pm EST every Monday. -- Gerry

'BREAKAWAY' CRUISES TO FEATURE FIREWORKS

More news about Norwegian Breakaway, guaranteed to generate fireworks:

The New York-based ship debuting in May will feature a fireworks show on every cruise, set to occur the second to last night at sea each week. The fireworks will be the grand finale of a 1980s-themed deck party and will be set to a specially-selected playlist of classic 1980s hits by artists like Madonna, Devo and Prince. Sign us up for that! Let's cue the video:

NORWEGIAN DOUBLES DOWN ON NYC

As the debut of Norwegian Breakaway approaches, the cruise line is "doubling down" on New York, which is Breakaway's home port. Their just-launched new ad campaign is themed "The Best of NYC Sails to Sea." You can see it here:



More New York-inspired news from Norwegian:

"Norwegian has enhanced www.breakaway.ncl.com with new digital experiences that highlight the New York City experiences found on board and demonstrate how Norwegian Breakaway brings the best of NYC to sea. Site visitors can watch as a theater on Broadway is transformed into the Breakaway Theater and as New York’s popular SOHO Neighborhood transitions into The Waterfront on board Norwegian Breakaway. Additional transformations will be launched later in January including Central Park being morphed into the ship’s Aqua Park."