Norwegian Joy, soon to be Norwegian Cruise Line’s first cruise ship custom designed for China, was floated out of Meyer Werft'’s covered building dock II on Saturday, 4 March in Papenburg, Germany, where the 168,800-ton ship has been under construction since September 2015.

Beginning early Saturday morning, the 3,850 passenger vessel, with her distinctive hull artwork designed by Chinese artist Tan Ping, departed building dock II. Norwegian Joy is the second ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus Class. Arriving in Summer 2017 with home ports in Shanghai and Beijing (Tianjin), Norwegian Joy will be Norwegian Cruise Line's first purpose-built ship for the Chinese market and designed to deliver on the promise that guests will enjoy 'First Class at Sea’ experiences.

Norwegian Joy’s float out represents a major milestone in the vessel’s construction. With the ship being well on her way to completion, she will now move into the final phase of construction with delivery taking place on 27 April.