Norwegian Cruise Line’s first ship custom-designed for the Chinese market, Norwegian Joy, began her journey to her homeport of Shanghai from the shipyard in Germany this week.  The first leg took approximately 14 hours along the Ems River to the Netherlands.

The vessel’s river journey marks another milestone in its highly-anticipated delivery.  Joy is the second in the cruise line’s Breakaway-Plus class, after Norwegian Escape which debuted in 2015.

The Process

The 168,800 gross ton ship departed Meyer Werft shipyard around 9 pm local time, making a narrow passage in reverse through the shipyard’s locks and passing the structure with just 1.2 meters separating the ship from the bumpers that are installed along the locks.  The ship’s navigation team included several officers in charge of overseeing the bow maneuvers and others watching the movement of the stern.  Local authorities and other partners were also involved in supporting the precise maneuver.

After passing through the sea lock in Papenburg, the ship continued along the river, stern first.  Due to the strong propulsion in the aft, traveling stern first helps make maneuvering easier, which is important when such a large vessel is traveling through narrow passages.

Sea trials are coming next.

Norwegian Joy reached her final destination in Eemshaven, Netherlands on Monday evening, and will take on additional provisions and further crew members there before heading toward the North Sea for sea trials later this month.

Following her delivery on April 27, the ship will set sail for China and be showcased through a grand inaugural port tour featuring events at the ports of Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, as well as VIP partner cruises from Joy‘s homeports of Shanghai and Tianjin.  The tour will give travel agents and partners across the region the opportunity to experience all that the ship has to offer before the christening ceremony on June 27, led by her godfather the ‘King of Chinese Pop’ Wang Leehom.

Source/photos: Norwegian Cruise Line