In the latter part of September, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) began taking bookings for Norwegian Epic’s inaugural trans-Atlantic, seven-day cruise on June 24 from London (Southampton) to New York, as well as bookings for an additional seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing Miami on July 10, one week earlier than previously scheduled.
In addition, Norwegian Epic’s 2010/11 inaugural season sailings from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean are currently open for bookings. The ship’s alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, available as seven-day individual sailings or as 14-day combined sailings, can be booked through April 2011.
Epic will have multiple entertainment venues throughout the ship, so that guests can choose from a wide variety of entertainment each evening of their cruise. In an industry first, Blue Man Group will perform in the ship’s 685-seat Epic Theater beginning next summer with a 90-minute show customized specifically for the ship. NCL also claims to have the only big top at sea. In this 265-seat theater-in-the-round, producer/director Neil Goldberg will present the Cirque Dreams and Dinner show, an interactive two-hour performance. In addition, the ship has planned to offer unusual entertainment options with the first Ice Bar at sea; Spice H20 and Posh clubs; an expansive Aqua Park; seven decks for family fun including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first-ever rappelling wall at sea; six bowling lanes in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck; three separate kids’ and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea.
Epic also brings a new breed of accommodations — the modern, curved New Wave staterooms, with all outside cabins boasting balconies; 60 suites and villas on two private decks (at the top of the ship); and a new category of inside staterooms, The Studios, with exclusive access to a communal Living Room. Epic will offer spa and family-friendly accommodations as well.
NLC has launched its advertising campaign for Epic with national print and online banner advertisements, large scale Web advertising and online Epic video advertising. Print advertisements in national consumer travel magazines hit newsstands in the October issues.
www.epic.ncl.com
