Norwegian Reveals Details of New Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line today offered a first glimpse of several niche cabin categories it plans for its next two ships, including "studio" cabins for solo travelers and spa cabins.

As can be seen in the artist's drawing above, the single-occupancy Studios on the two as-yet-unnamed "Project Breakaway" vessels will be similar to the ones found on the line's latest ship, the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic. The rooms will have full size beds, a sink and shower separated from an enclosed toilet area and a circular window overlooking an interior corridor.

Single-occupancy cabins have become a relative rarity in the cruise business, and Norwegian has won kudos from solo travelers for including them on the Norwegian Epic. As on the Epic, the Studio cabins on the two Project Breakaway ships will be clustered in a private, keycard-accessed complex that will include a two-story Studio Lounge with a bar.

Norwegian says there will be 59 of the Studios on each of the Project Breakaway ships, which are scheduled to debut in April 2013 and April 2014, respectively. The Norwegian Epic had 128 such cabins.

The spa cabins that Norwegian plans for the new ships will come in two styles: Spa Balcony cabins (of which there will be 28 ) and Spa Mini-Suites (of which there will be 20). As the photo below shows, the spa cabins will have a tranquil spa-themed décor, and they'll also feature easy access to the adjacent spa and fitness center, as well as complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suite during operating hours.

Today's first glimpse of the line's plans for solo and spa cabins on the Project Breakaway ships comes three months after it unveiled its plans for balcony cabins and mini-suites on the vessel (read about the line's plans for balcony cabins and see artist's drawings).

Norwegian today also announced that it is re-introducing Oceanview cabins that feature large picturesque windows on the Project Breakaway ships (something Norwegian Epic did not have). There will be 158 in all, including approximately 42 "Family Oceanview" cabins that sleep up to five passengers and have a bathroom similar to a Mini-Suite with a modern double sink, bath tub and a second wardrobe for added storage.

Another category of cabins, the Family Mini-Suite, will be located on Deck 12 and 13, in close proximity to the ship's children's facilities. For families with small children, there also will be a number of staterooms with bath tubs.

Norwegian also revealed that the Project Breakaway ships each will have 449 "inside" cabins -- cabins that face the interior of the vessel without a window overlooking the ocean. As seen in the photo at right, the rooms will feature two beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed as well as, in many cases, additional pull-out bunks that allow for up to four people per room. Many of the inside cabins will connect to other inside cabins to accommodate larger groups.

Norwegian commissioned design group Priestmangoode of the United Kingdom and Tillberg Design of Sweden, to design the cabins for the Project Breakaway ships. Priestmangoode designed the Studio cabins on the Norwegian Epic, which were widely praised for the layout and decor by cruisers, travel agents and travel writers.