Norwegian announced today that the steel cutting for the first ‘Project Breakaway’ ship will take place at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany during the week of September 20, 2011. The keel is set to be laid  April 2012.

This will be one of two new Freestyle Cruising ships that Norwegian will be launching. The ships will be 144,000 tons and the biggest ships Meyer Werft shipyard has ever built. Like sister ship Norwegian Epic, there will be studio cabins to accommodate single passengers.

The overall design theme for Project Breakaway’s staterooms is “modern boutique meets the sea,” says CEO Sheehan.

In addition, the Haven will be added at the top of the ship offering 24-hr butler service, white-tablecloth in-suite dining, and priority reservations in specialty restaurants.

The two ships have been slated for a 2013 and 2014 delivery.