Norwegian Cruise Line has reached an agreement with MEYER WERFT GMBH of Germany to build a new cruise vessel, for delivery in October 2015, with the option for a second ship for delivery in spring 2017.

The new ship, at 163,000 gross tons and approximately 4,200 passenger berths, will be larger than the Company’s Breakaway class ships currently under construction at MEYER WERFT. With the project name “Breakaway Plus,” this new vessel will be the largest in Norwegian’s fleet.

The ship’s contract price is approximately euro 700 million (approx $917.5 mln) and the Company has export credit financing in place which was arranged and underwritten by KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH of Germany.

“We are pleased that Norwegian Cruise Line has decided to expand and enlarge its exciting Breakaway class at MEYER WERFT,” said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of MEYER WERFT. “Our companies have a long history together and we appreciate Norwegian Cruise Line’s continued commitment to MEYER WERFT.”

MEYER WERFT, based in Papenburg, Germany, is currently building Norwegian’s two new 146,600 gross ton, 4,000-passenger Breakaway class vessels: Norwegian Breakaway, scheduled for delivery in late April 2013, and Norwegian Getaway, scheduled for delivery in mid-January 2014. Prior to the Breakaway class ships, MEYER WERFT built Norwegian’s four Jewel-class ships – Norwegian Gem delivered in 2007, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade delivered in 2006, and Norwegian Jewel delivered in 2005. This new vessel on order, along with the option for the second ship, will be the tenth and eleventh that the Company will build with MEYER WERFT.