The business landscape of meetings and incentives continues to evolve as event planners look for fresh ways to add more zip. Coming soon in April 2013,  you’ll have a new venue option that’s unlike anything on earth – or at sea. It’s a destination-in-itself that will energize your attendees with exhilarating entertainment, unexpected amenities, and a world of dining choices. Unexpected ease of planning and cost savings will also give you and your management team a reason to cheer!

This “unconventional” venue is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway, launching in April 2013. This revolutionary ship will take cruising to new heights by offering a unique experience unlike anything else at sea.

8 Reasons Why Your Next Event Should Take Place on Norwegian Breakaway:

1. A Unique Connection to the Ocean

Norwegian’s new ocean side destination, The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place, offers a unique and inspiring connection to the ocean. The Waterfront is a revolutionary outdoor experience that’s 8 decks high and worlds away from the ordinary. This quarter-mile oceanfront boardwalk is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, giving your attendees plenty of spots to socialize and dine al fresco while admiring the beauty of the sea.

678 Ocean Place is the heart of Norwegian Breakaway,  connecting the Waterfront’s outdoor spaces to exciting interior venues. Three expansive, action-packed decks of dining, bars, entertainment, gaming and more are designed to flow seamlessly. An exquisite LED chandelier with light changing effects serves as the centerpiece of the breathtaking three-story atrium, with glass staircases to connect the levels.

2. Dine with Unforgettable Views

Norwegian Breakaway will offer a variety of dining options, including some signature Norwegian Freestyle Dining favorites, along with several new exciting and innovative venues. Overall, the ship will feature 28 dining options, 12 of which are complimentary; and 16 specialty restaurants, five that offer guests the option to dine on The Waterfront.

Here are just a few of your choices:

Ocean Blu by Geoffrey Zakarian- This new seafood restaurant is already generating culinary buzz. Celebrity chef, Food Network star and Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will create and oversee every aspect of Norwegian’s first-ever seafood restarants, from the menus, wine list and signature cocktails; to the uniforms and glassware. There will also be a more casual outdoor venue called Ocean Blue on The Waterfront and The Raw Bar.

On select sailings, Zakarian will host personal meet-and-greets at the restaurant along  with in-person cooking demonstrations and intimate cooking experiences for smaller groups.

La Cucina celebrates the Tuscan countryside with delicious Italian specialties. Guests can dine al fresco on The Waterfront, in the main restaurant, or on the interior terrace beneath twinkling lanterns.

Moderno Churrascaria is Norwegian’s signature Brazilian-style steakhouse. Whether your attendees dine indoors or outside on The Waterfront, they’ll feast from a huge salad bar, followed by a variety of grilled and slow-roasted meats carved tableside by passadors.

Cagney’s Steakhouse is Norwegian’s signature steakhouse, featuring succulent steakhouse favorites. Guests will dine in style amidst warm wood tones as they enjoy watching the chefs prepare their meals in the open kitchen.

The Manhattan Room is a complimentary restaurant featuring live music and dancing. Reminiscent of a private New York City supper club, the sophisticated two-story high venue showcases floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows looking aft.

Le Bistro, Norwegian’s signature French restaurant, will feature an elegant indoor setting, along with a European sidewalk-style dining opportunity which will overlook the social hub of the ship, 678 Ocean Place. As they dine on classic French favorites, guests will marvel at the three-story cascading LED chandelier above them along with the constant flow of people.

Shanghai’s Noodle Bar is the largest noodle bar at sea. This exciting dining concept offers all counter seating around an open kitchen and serves traditional Chinese noodles, dim sum and more.

O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill is a complimentary 24-hour a day sports bar and restaurant serving classic American favorites and comfort food. It features a giant two-story screen broadcasting sports and movies, along with miniature bowling, pool and air hockey tables and interactive games. Guaranteed to be a popular gathering spot after meetings!

Teppanyaki will dazzle your guests as the talented Teppanyaki chefs showcase their knife-wielding skills and entertain your group while creating delicious meals. This restaurant will have 96 seats surrounding 12 flat top grills, as well as Japanese rock garden with bamboo and bonsai trees – a terrific group option!

Three complimentary main dining options feature upscale, contemporary décor and serve a variety of culinary delights to please every palate.

3. Thrills and Team Building on Deck

Norwegian Breakaway’s ground-breaking recreation and outdoor spaces have been designed to make it easy for you and your group event participants to connect with each other, enjoy some friendly competition, and kick back and unwind. Spectacular ocean views included!

Norwegian Breakaway’s high-thrill aqua park is the cruise line’s largest ever,  and Norwegian is the only line to feature five full-size waterslides. Norwegian Breakaway will also be the first ship to have twin Free Fall slides, the fastest slides at sea. As riders stand up in the chute, the floor will abruptly drop from underneath, propelling them into a thrilling loop.

Two additional side-by-side twister slides called The Whip will give adrenaline junkies the ultimate rush as they plunge through a two-story spiral in a race to the finish line. The ship will also feature a Nickelodeon-themed Kid’s Aqua Park.

Your sports enthusiasts and adventure-seekers will love Norwegian Breakaway’s spectacular sports complex. Spanning three stories, it offers the ultimate challenge on the largest ropes course at sea. Here, your attendees will enjoy testing their endurance as they meander through each of the course’s 40 different elements. With varying levels of difficulty, there is something for everyone.

They’ll also have the chance to test their will as they whizz along the zip track and challenge themselves to walk out on The Plank, extending eight feet over the side of the ship. The Sports Complex also includes Norwegian’s first-ever miniature golf course offering 9 holes of mini-golf and amazing ocean views, as well as a rock wall, climbing cage and basketball court.

4.  Meet Up and Chill Out

After business sessions and sports challenges, your program participants will want to meet up and chill out at Spice H2O -the ultimate adult-only outdoor enclave. The combination of comfortable sun loungers, a huge video screen, two hot tubs and a soothing waterfall feature (perfect for cooling off from the sun) make it the ideal destination for daytime relaxation. When the sun goes down, Spice H20 transforms into a hot spot where your group can meet to dance under the stars or relax at the bar or lounge area – while admiring the ocean views, of course.

5. Award-Winning Entertainment

Norwegian Breakaway will be jam packed with unbelievable entertainment choices! Your group is guaranteed to find their favorite show onboard – whether it’s a rocking Broadway production, a spectacular dance performance, astonishing cirque spectacular, a soulful blues performance, or laugh-out-loud comedy. Here are a few highlights:

Breakaway Theater will be home to the five-time Tony Award nominated Broadway musical Rock Of Ages. The energy in the theater is sure to be contagious as your participants channel their inner rock star and rock out to what has been named “Broadway’s Best Party”.

Burn The Floor, otherwise known as Ballroom “supercharged”, will dazzle your attendees, whether they’re hard core dance fans or new to dance. The show first premiered on Broadway in 2009 and is currently in the midst of its World Tour. In addition to performances in Breakaway Theater, Burn the Floor will offer a “spicier” performance in The Manhattan Room on selected evenings.

An adaptation of the Broadway show Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, Cirque Dreams & Dinner – Jungle Fantasy will be featured in Norwegian Breakaway’s Spiegel Tent. Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner while watching this jaw-dropping experience. The show will feature the Cirque Dreamers performing acrobatic feats surrounded by a soaring ballet of butterflies, flipping monkeys, spine-bending lizards and fanciful birds in an exotic, mesmerizing adventure. A group buy out of the Spiegel Tent is guaranteed to be a smash hit!

Slam Allen has been blowing New York audiences away with his soulful blues and jazz performances for over 20 years. Now, on Norwegian Breakaway, your attendees can enjoy his smooth sounds inside Fat Cats Jazz and Blues Club or while sitting on The Waterfront, taking in the warm ocean breezes.

And there’s no shortage of laughs onboard Norwegian Breakaway! The hilarious improvisational comedy of The Second City is back to perform more of their side-splitting songs and improvisational comedy in Headliners. Howl at the Moon, the world’s greatest rock n’ roll dueling piano show, also takes place in Headliners. Guests become part of the interactive show as they rock out and sing to their favorite songs.

6. The Haven, The Pinnacle of Suite Accommodations

If you’re looking for personalized service and absolute privacy for your small group, look no further than The Haven on Norwegian Breakaway. This exclusive, key card-access enclave is hidden at the top of the ship and boasts 80 of the most ultra-luxurious accommodations at sea. Guests will love sailing in a suite in The Haven – their own private luxury villa plus all the incredible amenities and personalized services create a truly heavenly experience.

The personalized experience begins from the moment your group arrives and continues throughout their cruise, whether they’re taking advantage of the 24-hour services of their certified butlers, or enjoying the privacy of The Haven Courtyard – offering two levels of private beach club ambiance and a private pool. The Courtyard also has a hot tub, sauna and private massage room. There’s even a retractable roof, so the weather is guaranteed to always be perfect!

Your group in The Haven will also enjoy a private lounge, private dining experience at The Haven Restaurant, exclusive cocktail parties and gourmet treats.

The Haven Features:

• Privacy and the ultimate luxury experience at the top of the ship
• 24-hour butler service
• Concierge Service
• Private lounge and restaurant
• Poolside service
• Bliss Collection feather duvet and find linens
• Priority embarkation and debarkation

7. Unique Spaces to Take Care of Business

By now, you know that Norwegian Breakaway’s innovative new ship will feature revolutionary recreational facilities, dining options and entertainment that will certainly energize your event. But what about your meetings? Don’t worry, Norwegian Cruise Line is seriously committed to helping you achieve your business objectives.

Norwegian Breakaway features a variety of flexible spaces that can be used for meetings and group events, including dedicated conference rooms, unique lounges and a main theater – all with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment and WiFi capabilities. Meeting space, use of A/V, afternoon snacks and coffee breaks are all complimentary.

8. Customization – the Key to Impactful Events

Norwegian Cruise Line offers customized options to make your meeting or group event a sea uniquely memorable. Some are complimentary, while others have a very reasonable add-on cost. Here are a few examples:

• Private cocktail parties, award ceremonies and receptions
• Turndown and stateroom deliveries
• Beach Olympics & Scavenger Hunts on our private island
• Company logos on menus and daily activity program
• All-inclusive beverage packages
• Private concerts or shows
• Sport tournaments
• Group photos
• Private group-specific channel in stateroom
• Team-building activities: kayaking, sailing, golf, etc.

Itineraries

Norwegian Breakaway will homeport in New York City year-round. Following a seven-night transatlantic voyage on April 30, the ship will begin its inaugural season of seven-day Bermuda cruises with three days in King’s Wharf.

Beginning in October 2013, Breakaway will sail a series of 25 seven-night cruises to the Bahamas & Florida. Ports of call include Nassau, Bahamas; Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island, Bahamas; and Port Canaveral, Florida.

Search all Norwegian ships and itineraries, and request a quote for your next group event (your RFP will go directly to Norwegian Cruise Line).

Filed under: Cruise News, Meeting & Incentive News, Miscellaneous