Date set for Norwegian Escape UK launch

Norwegian Cruise Lines’ new ship, Norwegian Escape, will set sail from British shores at the end of October 2015.

The 4,200-capacity vessel is set to become the largest ship in the cruise line’s fleet when it launches in the autumn of next year.

The Norwegian Escape will sail for a one-night cruise on October 27, 2015, returning for an as-yet-unnamed inaugural event the next day.

Francis Riley, vice president and general manager of Norwegian Cruise Line, said the event will likely mirror the successful launch of the Norwegian Getaway.

Prior to that, the Escape will embark on a two-night cruise from Hamburg to Southampton, while the 4,100-capacity Norwegian Epic will offer two cruises to and from the UK, taking in Barcelona, in late September and early October.

Riley, speaking at an event in London, was keen to stress the importance of the UK market: “It has performed extremely well and exceeded our revenue goals,” he said. “The Getaway kicked off a good year for us.”

The company will also hope to replicate the success of the Breakaway, voted ‘Best New Ship’ at the 2013 Cruise Critic awards.

The Norwegian Escape will be joined by the Norwegian Bliss – set to enter service in March 2017 – and a further two cruise ships within five years.

Riley said that between 2015 and 2020, Norwegian Cruise Lines could add up to one million passengers to its cruises.