NEW YORK — When cruise aficionados discuss the various providers, Norwegian Cruise Lines typically earns plaudits for its freestyle (set-your-own-schedule) cruising and its solo cabins (most major lines have no dedicated single cabins, and they charge solo travelers an additional fee).

Starting this spring, New England cruise fans will have another reason to “sail like a Norwegian,” as the slogan goes: The line’s 12th ship, the Breakaway, is scheduled to make its debut voyage on May 12 from New York to Bermuda. It will become the largest ship ever based in the Big Apple year round.