Escape and Bliss will be new Norwegian ship names

By Tom Stieghorst

No longer will Norwegian Cruise Line have to refer to its Breakaway Plus ships.

In a Facebook vote, fans have named the ships Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Escape. The two 163,000-ton, 4,200-passenger ships are scheduled for delivery in 2015 and 2017. It isn't clear which one will carry which name.

More than 100,000 votes from five countries were received in the contest, a response praised by Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan.

"It affirms that we have a very engaged and passionate community of Norwegians," he said.

Anyone entering a name was entered in a drawing for a inaugural cruise on the first Breakaway Plus ship. Winners will be announced on the line's Facebook page on Oct. 8.