Norwegian Breakaway christened in extravaganza

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Breakaway was officially christened in an hour-plus extravaganza that culminated in a Rockettes chorus line and a crash of a champagne bottle onto the side of its Peter Max-painted hull.

The festivities were held in 10 areas throughout the ship and simulcast to each area.

Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan presided in the main theater, with help from key players such as "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro and chef Geoffrey Zakarian.

SpongeBob SquarePants and his Nickelodean friends danced in the Bar at the Atrium and the cast of ballroom dance show "Burn the Floor" tangoed in the Manhattan Room restaurant.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, delivered an invocation for the ship. Other dignitaries on hand were New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg; the premier of Bermuda, Craig Cannonier; and Perry Christie, prime minister of the Bahamas.

Sheehan noted that he used to drive a cab in New York (a video briefly flashed a copy of his 1975 license). "I'm a New Yorker through and through," he said.

"We've taken the best of New York City and taken it to sea," he said. "You get the best of both worlds"