Vessels: NCL Debuts Newest Star with NYC Flair

New York City rolled out the red carpet to welcome Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) latest addition to its fleet. In December, NCL debuted the 92,250-ton Norwegian Dawn, with NYC style reminiscent of the ship's new homeport. The christening ceremony aptly included a celebration amidst a few celebrities, a taste of Broadway and entertainment that truly characterize the Big Apple.

"Size does matter," said actress Kim Cattrall, who was chosen to serve as the Norwegian Dawn's godmother. The 'Sex and the City' star entertained the crowd at the christening ceremony during the official naming of the ship and pronounced the Norwegian Dawn the biggest ship in NYC.

The 92,250-ton Norwegian Dawn, which will call New York home year-round beginning in May, is the second cruise ship for NCL built at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany. Norwegian Dawn is NCL's largest ship, accommodating 2,224 passengers and 1,112 crew, and was built at the maximum size to fit through the Panama Canal.

The Norwegian Dawn, dubbed the Star of the East Coast, is the sister-ship to Norwegian Star and the third ship purpose-built for NCL's popular Freestyle Cruising concept. The ship's vibrant colors and décor resonates throughout its interior and extends to the hull. The artwork featured on the hull depicting the Norwegian Dawn's expansive itinerary, runs on both sides of the ship, with the starboard side featuring dolphins playing in Technicolor waves reflecting the ship's Caribbean itinerary from the port of Miami. The port side features the Statue of Liberty, signifying the Bahamas and Florida itinerary from the Port of New York.

In addition to the new design, the Norwegian Dawn extends the industry's fervor to offer rooms with a view, as about 70 percent of cabins that are outside staterooms, with most of these having balconies.

Technically, the vessel is state-of-the-art, featuring diesel-electric podded propulsion and interactive communication devices.

Four diesel generators with a 14,700-kW output each are provided for power generation. The MAN B&W type 14V48/60 diesel engines can be operated both with diesel oil and heavy fuel oil. The generators (supplied by ABB) provide a voltage of 11,000V.

The ship is propelled via two 20,000 kW Azipods. Their 360 degree rotation - and the addition of three bow thrusters - provides the vessel with outstanding maneuverability. The propulsion system also ensures stable and quiet sea-keeping characteristics and an extremely low vibration level on board.

The ship also features a dynamic positioning system (DP system), designed to keeps the vessel in an exact position, and allows for the automatic berthing of the vessel. The Norwegian Dawn is equipped with an integrated bridge system type NACOS 65-4 supplied by STN Atlas Marine Electronics. The main components are two multi pilots which allow the radar screen, the electronic sea chart and all of the ships mission critical data to be displayed on one monitor. All bridge units are fitted with high-resolution color monitors, making it easier for the navigator to distinguish between the symbols.

Norwegian Dawn is divided into seven main fire zones and complies with the rules of a two-compartment vessel and is designed in accordance with the latest IMO regulations. The vessel is provided with six tenders and 14 lifeboats as well as two fast-rescue boats. In addition, six so-called "marine evacuation systems" have been installed. These rescue chutes allow very fast and safe evacuation in case of emergency.

Onboard of Norwegian Dawn up to 2,700,000 liters of potable water can be produced per day. The potable water is generated by three evaporators and a reverse osmosis system. Water consumption is reduced, for instance, by collecting condensed water from the air conditioning system and using it in the laundry. The hot water circuit is heated with steam. In addition, potable water can be taken onboard from bunker stations ashore.

The sewage water is collected in four vacuum systems through a piping system. It can be temporarily stored in tanks, if necessary. The sewage water produced is treated in four biological processing systems prior to being discharged.

All waste on board is separated (recyclable and non-recyclable; combustible and not combustible). The waste is either temporarily stored and later disposed of ashore or it is incinerated on board strictly observing the international emission regulations and disposed of later ashore. Sailing at 25 knots, Norwegian Dawn can operate seven-day roundtrip cruises to four ports in the Bahamas and Florida. Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO Colin Veitch says the company decided to go year-round from Manhattan with its newest ship following the successful response to the vessel's December launch. NCL altered Norwegian Dawn's previously announced itinerary to call at Port Canaveral first, giving passengers a 15-hour day to visit Orlando-area theme parks and attractions. The ship then calls in Miami, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private island in the Bahamas).