The Norwegian Epic Makes Waves
This new ship debuts with an impressive variety
of cruise industry firsts
By Monica Lugo
Norwegian Cruise Line
It has the first category of staterooms designed and priced specifically for solo travelers. And Norwegian is now the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, which is taking its theatrical performances of music, comedy and multimedia afloat for the first time aboard the Epic.
For the Epic's inaugural festivities in New York City, cruise line officials planned a spectacle befitting such a special ship. Two days after a July 2 christening by country music legend Reba McEntire, the Epic's godmother, invited guests would have front-row views of Macy's 34th annual Fourth of July fireworks display, with the Epic serving as the venue for the live broadcast.
Behind all the hoopla and press is a 4,200-guest vessel with truly revolutionary features. The Epic's "New Wave" staterooms have curved, contemporary architecture that maximizes living space. Walls, furniture and mattresses have rounded edges, and concealed LED lighting and domed ceilings complete the modern-age look. The sink, water closet and shower are set apart from each other, so two occupants can get ready for the day at the same time. All 1,426 outside cabins have balconies.
"Norwegian Cruise Line is all about choice. We are always trying to present travelers with the most innovation, with options that haven't been seen before," says Courtney Recht, the company's manager of public relations. Perhaps the most striking example of this credo are the 128 inside studio staterooms for single cruisers. They feature a full-size bed, flat-screen TV, desk and a large, one-way window looking onto a corridor. (Although you can see out, passers-by can't see in.)
These cabins offer about 100 square feet of space, but guests who want to stretch their legs have access to the private Studio Lounge. With its stylish bar, two TV screens and comfy seating, this two-floor social space is the perfect place to relax or rendezvous for morning coffee, afternoon tea or an evening cocktail.
The studio stateroom opens the door for solo cruisers, who normally must fork over a single supplement and pay up to twice the per-person fare for a double-occupancy cabin.
For those looking for luxurious, spacious accommodations, the Epic does not disappoint. High atop the ship on two decks, the Courtyard Villas are part of an enormous "ship-within-a-ship" complex that includes its own pool, hot tubs, sundeck, gym, restaurant and bar. Guests can stay in one of 46 villas that sleep up to six people each, six penthouses with separate living and dining areas, or eight deluxe owner's suites with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Those looking for a little self-indulgence can check into one of the Epic's 39 spa cabins including eight suites that feature in-room whirlpools and circular beds. These retreats allow private access to the spa's fitness center, sauna, aromatherapy steam rooms, heated ceramic loungers, a pool with massaging jets and waterfalls, and an outdoor relaxation deck.
The menu at Mandara Spa offers more than 50 treatments, including such lavish experiences as a facial that employs rose quartz and 24-karat gold leaf. Sessions in the two rasul rooms are modeled after an ancient Arabic bathing ritual, said to detoxify and nourish the body through applications of steam, organic mud, exfoliants and oils. At the Medi-Spa, passengers can sign up for teeth whitening, acupuncture and Botox injections performed by a licensed doctor.
The spa's amenities aren't just for adults. Younger members of the family can be pampered, too, with manicures, pedicures and mother-daughter or father-son massages. The fitness center features the industry's first rappelling wall and a record-breaking 37 treadmills and 18 cross trainers, as well as four aerobics studios, body-sculpting boot camps, weight stations and free weights.
Mealtimes aboard the Epic represent another major break with convention. "With more than 20 freestyle dining choices, there will be something for everyone," says Recht. Whether it's a quick bite, a late-night snack or a romantic, fine-dining affair, each is designed to suit any mood or craving. Ten restaurants are complimentary, including O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar and Grill, which is open 24 hours and serves classic American fare; Great Outdoors, the poolside grill; and Spice H20, an adults-only venue specializing in Latin- and Asian-influenced dishes. There also are two main restaurants, the Manhattan Room, which conjures the mood of a swanky supper club with music and dancing, and Taste, located in the ship's atrium. Room service is available around the clock.
Other options require a nominal cover charge, ranging from $10 to $25 per person. Choices include a rustic Tuscan-style eatery, an elegant French bistro and a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, where chefs prepare meals in front of you at lightening-fast speeds on flat-top grills. New to Norwegian's fleetwide culinary scene are a Brazilian churrascaria, where a variety of grilled meats are served tableside, and a Chinese noodle house reminiscent of 1930s Shanghai. Pizza can be delivered to your stateroom for $5.
The Epic presents guests of all ages with unique experiences at every turn. At the Kid's Crew complex, adjacent to the family-friendly staterooms, there are separate areas for children ages 2 to 9 and tweens ages 10 to 12. They can jump on a light-up dance floor, play their favorite Wii video games, get creative with arts and crafts or watch a flick at the cinema. The Epic also offers Nickelodeon at Sea, where young cruisers can meet beloved characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.
Older kids aren't left out: The Entourage Teen Center at the top of the ship offers tons of activities for the 13-to-17 crowd, from foosball and air hockey to five huge flat-screen TVs devoted to PlayStation 3 gaming. At night, Entourage transforms into a hip nightclub, where teens can let loose on the dance floor, mingle at the lounge or play video games at the arcade.
Those seeking adventure on the high seas can hit the Aqua Park, complete with three waterslides (including the Epic Plunge, the only tube slide on a ship) and two pools with arching water effects that light up at night. Complementing these attractions are five whirlpools, a wading pool and a children's splash-and-play zone. Athletic types will love the squash court (another seagoing first), six bowling lanes and the sports deck that features a full-size basketball court, batting cage, bungee trampoline, rope course and a 24-foot-tall enclosed climbing apparatus called the Spider Web.
There's nothing commonplace about the Epic's onboard entertainment, either. At the 685-seat Epic Theater, guests can catch performances by the world-famous Blue Man Group, as well as Legends in Concert, a musical tribute show that's been a staple on the Vegas strip for almost three decades. Its "celebrity" line-up for the Epic includes impersonators of Madonna, Elvis and Tina Turner. Want to make your own music? Guests can let loose their inner rock star for just $10 a day and rent a Gibson guitar for their staterooms (it comes with a private amplifier and headphones).
The big top at Spiegel Tent encompasses a 265-seat theater-in-the-round where guests are treated to "Cirque Dreams and Dinner," which showcases the talents of aerialists, acrobats and contortionists. Enjoy a night of laughs at the 280-seat Headliners comedy club, where the renowned Second City troupe -- whose prestigious alums include comedic greats such as Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Gilda Radner and John Belushi -- presents a revue of imaginative improvisation. Howl at the Moon is a high-energy performance by dueling pianists who play everything from 1970s rock to hip-hop.
Guests looking for glamour can head to more than 15 bars and lounges, including Fat Cats, a 200-seat jazz club; Posh, a kids-free beach retreat by day and an open-air nightclub with gaming tables and DJ by night; and specialty bars that focus on whiskies, martinis and sakes.
The Norwegian Epic will spend most of its first year in the Caribbean, sailing seven-day cruises from Miami through April 2011. It will alternate between Eastern Caribbean highlights (St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus a call at Nassau in the Bahamas) and Western Caribbean ports (Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras).
From May through October 2011, the Epic explores the Mediterranean on seven-day itineraries that sail out of Barcelona, visiting Italy (Florence, Rome and Naples) and Spain (Palma de Mallorca). Once back in Miami, the ship will again focus on Eastern Caribbean ports, offering seven-day cruises from November 2011 through April 2012.
Information: For more information on the Norwegian Epic, including rates discounted by up to 56 percent, visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 338-4962.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in July/August 2010.
