Royal Caribbean International's Ovation of the Seas began construction after the first piece of steel for the ship was cut at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Meyer Werft also constructed Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, and plans to deliver Ovation of the Seas in autumn 2016.
Quantum of the Seas will sail out of New York Harbor from her homeport of Cape Liberty for her inaugural season before departing to her new homeport of Shanghai (Baoshan), China. Anthem of the Seas will debut in Southampton, U.K. in April 2015 sailing Mediterranean itineraries.
Meyer Werft also finished laying the keel for Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Escape, which is set for delivery October 2015. During the recent ceremony, block 35/41, the first of 86 blocks that will comprise the 164,600-ton vessel, was lifted into the covered building dock, officially marking the start of the ship’s construction.
The Norwegian Escape is the first ship in her class. The ship will begin weekly seven-day cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on Nov. 14, 2015. The ship will be the largest to home port year-round in Miami, carrying 4,200 guests to tropical Caribbean destinations including St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
Port Everglades was recently a hotbed of activity, kicking off its 2014-2015 winter cruise season by planning to host the traditional naming ceremony for Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess. The ceremony will take place Nov. 5, and will be the seventh Princess ship named at the port.
Port Everglades also recently welcomed Resorts Worlds' Bimini SuperFast day cruise, which will begin sailing year-round from Port Everglades to Bimini every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday beginning Oct. 14, 2014. Lastly, the port also announced the opening date for its renovated Terminal 4. The updated terminal was completely gutted and renovated for $24 million, and will open in early December.