Giant new Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Encore, to sail from Miami

A giant new Norwegian Cruise Line ship scheduled to debut in 2019 will sail from Miami. 

Norwegian on Wednesday announced that the fourth and final vessel in its Breakaway Plus series would operate seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of the city soon after its completion in October 2019. 

The Miami-based line also revealed the name of the ship, Norwegian Encore.

At 167,800 tons, Encore will rank among the largest cruise vessels in the world. On order from Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard, it'll be a sister to the soon-to-debut Norwegian Bliss and two earlier ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Joy. It's expected to hold about 4,000 passengers at double occupancy. 

PREVIEW:  Norwegian Cruise Line's soon-to-debut Norwegian Bliss 

Norwegian didn't reveal the on-board features planned for Encore, but it's expected to be similar to Bliss, which debuts in April. 

Designed to have all the trappings of a major megaresort, Bliss will boast such over-the-top amusements as a two-deck-high racing course, where passengers compete against each other in electric go-carts — a first for a vessel based in North America. 

Bliss also will have a sprawling water park with multistory water slides; a restaurant-lined boardwalk; Tony Award-winning production shows, including Jersey Boys; and a giant spa. Dining options will include a modern Texas barbecue eatery called Q that will feature live pop country music — a new concept for the line. 

Norwegian's announcement Wednesday came as the Meyer Werft shipyard cut the first plate of steel for the ship.

With Encore's arrival, Norwegian will have 17 vessels. 

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