Norwegian Escape, soon to be the largest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, was floated out of MEYER WERFT’s covered building dock II on Saturday (Aug. 15) in Papenburg, Germany, where the 164,600-ton ship has been under construction since September 2014.

At approximately 9:15 a.m., the 4,200-passenger vessel, with its signature hull artwork designed by famed marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey, departed building dock II.

Norwegian Escape is the first ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus Class, measuring 1,098 feet in length and 136 feet wide. Norwegian Escape’s float out represents a major milestone in the vessel’s construction, with the ship being well on its way to completion. It will now move into the final phase of construction with delivery taking place on Oct. 22.

Following inaugural events in Europe and Miami, Norwegian Escape will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises departing every Saturday from Miami beginning Nov. 14.