Norwegian Encore’s keel was laid this week, and during the ceremony new details were revealed about the ship by Norwegian Cruise Line, including a new entertainment line-up and an expanded race track.

“Norwegian Encore’s keel laying ceremony was not only special because we crossed a key construction milestone, but because we celebrated the incredible partnership we have had with the Meyer Werft team,” said Andy Stuart, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.

The laying of a ship’s keel is the second major construction milestone after the cutting of the first steel.

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Meyer Werft is a long-standing partner of Norwegian Cruise Line, having built 12 of its current fleet of 16 ships, including both Breakaway-class vessels, and all four Breakaway Plus class ships.

Stuart’s comment were preceded by a surprise performance Kinky Boots performance, which dropped a major hint regarding the new ship’s planned entertainment line-up.

The cast of Kinky Boots, which will debut aboard Norwegian Encore.

“Today’s surprise ‘Kinky Boots’ performance showcases the evolution of the meaningful and unforgettable experiences we are dedicated to providing our guests,” Stuart added. “We are very excited to be the first to feature this award-winning musical at sea.”

Other announcement made by Norwegian Cruise Line were that The Choir of Man, which recently debuted on Norwegian Escape, will also be part of the show line up on Norwegian Encore.

The production features high-energy music, dance, live percussion and foot stomping choreography and has been extremely well-received aboard Escape.

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Other shows and night life spots that debuted about Norwegian Bliss, such as Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical and the Cavern Club will be reprised aboard Norwegian Encore, but she will also have some marked differences to her Breakaway Plus sister ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line is expanding its go kart race track, with a “bigger and better” two-level track, extending over the side of the ship and featuring 10 turns – the race track aboard Norwegian Bliss was already 40% larger than that aboard Joy.

This race track will have a special viewing platform in its centre though.

Perhaps most intriguing is the more than 10,000-square-foot indoor virtual reality complex Galaxy Pavilion that will debut aboard Norwegian Encore.

And when it comes to the cruise industry’s only open-air laser tag arena aboard Norwegian Bliss, Encore will have one too, but this time it will be the resurrected lost city of Atlantis, with new elements for a more interactive experience.

“We look forward to delivering this incredible ship in the fall of 2019 and showcasing the technology and innovation made in Germany,” said Stephan Schmees, Project Manager and member of the board for Meyer Werft.