Meyer Werft floats out Norwegian Escape

The Norwegian Cruise Line newbuild began emerging at 9:30 a.m. Papenburg time as crowds of onlookers watched from shore. Just two hours later, the vessel was secured at the outfitting pier where the ship's funnel was lifted into position by crane.

On Sunday tests of the bowthrusters and stabilizers will be conducted in the yard's harbor, and Norwegian Escape will be berthed at the outfitting pier for the coming weeks as work to complete the interiors continues.

In the next days the first crew members are scheduled to move into their cabins to begin familiarizing themselves with the ship and its systems.

Norwegian Escape's conveyance along the Ems River is scheduled for Sept. 16, weather permitting.

The float-out was broadcast via webcam at www.meyerwerft.de where still images of the operation are also available.