Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic, hosted the Macy’s July 4 fireworks event in New York harbor following its christening by country music star Reba McEntire on July 2 at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The christening ceremony was hosted by “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Jeff Garlin, highlighting the new ship’s emphasis on world-class entertainment, which includes the Blue Man Group and the Second City improvisational group, of which Garlin is an alumnus.
Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s CEO, noted that unlike many cruise-ship godmothers, McEntire is a past NCL guest, having cruised frequently on the line with her extended family. In remarks to the media during a two-day preview voyage following the naming ceremony, Sheehan said Norwegian Epic is “a ship that is about freedom. What I love about this ship is that there is always something going on. There are dining and entertainment options available all across the ship at all times. Norwegian Epic represents freedom and flexibility; aboard this ship you can have whatever type of vacation you want.”
Norwegian Epic features a variety of stateroom categories including 128 dedicated single-occupancy studio staterooms, the first aboard a modern cruise ship, and a 60-suite Garden Villa complex located on two private decks at the top of the ship and featuring exclusive access to a private pool, two whirlpools, a sauna, a fitness facility and a concierge lounge. Norwegian Epic’s staterooms also include 883 “New Wave” cabins featuring curved walls and ceilings, plus a bathroom featuring separate shower, water closet and vanity sink. Norwegian Epic also features 21 individual dining options under the company’s “Freestyle Dining” program; 11 of the options are included in the cruise fare while 10 are available for a cover charge.
In addition to the other entertainment options, Norwegian Epic also features the “Legends in Concert” tribute show; “Cirque Dreams and Dinner,” billed as “the only big top at sea”; plus Nickelodeon children’s programming. Other attractions include an expansive Aqua Park, separate clubs for children and teens, a three-foot-high extreme rock climbing wall and rappelling, three bowling lanes, a mixed-use sports deck, and nightlife options including the first SVEDKA Ice bar at sea, the Bliss Ultra Lounge and Nightclub and the POSH Beach Club, a 13,000-square-foot casino and the Spice H20 adults-only complex. Norwegian Epic will offer alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries departing weekly from Miami through April 2011, after which the ship will reposition to Europe for weekly western Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona through October 2011. For more information, visit www.epic.ncl.com.