Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class, has celebrated its float out.

A major milestone in the vessel’s construction, the ship emerged from the Meyer Werft building dock in Papenburg, Germany on 17 February. It will remain in the shipyard port for the final phase of construction, until its conveyance down the River Ems towards the North Sea, scheduled for mid-March.

The construction of the ship began in October 2016, with the steel cutting ceremony launching the 12th Norwegian Cruise Line ship to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard.

Norwegian Bliss measures 1,082 feet in length by 136 feet wide, and accommodates approximately 4,000 guests. The signature hull artwork has been designed by marine life artist and conservationist, Wyland, best known for his marine life paintings, sculptures and grand scale murals, or “Whaling Walls”. The design on the hull of Bliss is named “Cruising with the Whales” and features a mother humpback whale and her calf as the centerpiece of the design.

The first cruise ship custom-built for the ultimate Alaska cruise experience, including the 180-degree Observation Lounge where guests can enjoy expansive views at sea, it will also be the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to debut in Seattle.

“Our partners at Meyer Werft have done an excellent job realising our vision for a ship designed to experience Alaska and the Caribbean like never before,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. “We are counting down the days until her official debut this summer, where guests will be able to race around the world’s largest two-level race track at sea against the backdrop of Alaska’s wild frontier, and enjoy other first-at-sea experiences.”

Norwegian Bliss will sail into Seattle for her official christening on 30 May, with summer cruises to Alaska beginning 2 June.