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NCL's bigger, newer Breakaway swapped for Gem in New Orleans

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Norwegian Breakaway's current cruise will end Tuesday in New Orleans and the Sept. 1 sailing from Miami was canceled
Passengers sailing from New Orleans will get a new, big option when Norwegian Breakaway repositions to the port for the winter 2018/19 season.

What has long been Norwegian Cruise Line's resident New York ship will first head to the Baltic in summer 2018, as previously annnounced, before starting New Orleans service.

It will offer seven-, 10- and 11-day cruises, all stopping at Harvest Caye in southern Belize. Other ports include Cozumel, Costa Maya, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Roatán.

Norwegian Gem, a smaller Jewel-class ship that had been scheduled for New Orleans, will now sail from New York for the winter 2018/19 season.

The 145,655gt Norwegian Breakaway will be the 'largest and newest ship from Norwegian to sail from New Orleans, and we are thrilled to bring our signature Breakaway-class ship to this important homeport,' NCL president and CEO Andy Stuart said.

It's due to arrive on Nov. 11, 2018, and stay through April 7, 2019.

'The passengers who begin and end their Norwegian Breakaway cruise from our historical city will experience Port NOLA’s commitment to high-level service and the Crescent City’s vibrant energy,' said Brandy Christian, president and CEO, Port of New Orleans. 'Our cruise business contributes significantly to the hospitality industry’s regional economic impact and we are pleased to welcome the largest ship we have ever accommodated.'

The recently refurbished Norwegian Gem will remain in New York and sail to the Caribbean, Canada/New England and the Bahamas and Florida. The ship will share its Manhattan homeport with Norwegian Escape, which is repositioning from MIami in summer 2018 for the first time since its 2015 introduction. Escape will cruise to Bermuda every Sunday beginning April 22, 2018.

Passengers booked on Norwegian Gem from New Orleans will have their reservations protected and moved automatically to the new ship and itinerary. Norwegian Breakaway’s New Orleans cruises will open for sale Oct. 24.