Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Cruise Line today that a second embarkation option has been added to Norwegian Epic’s seven-day Western Mediterranean itinerary sailings from April 29, 2012 through October 17, 2012. Guests will have the flexibility to begin their cruise vacation in either Barcelona, Spain or in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, where, starting today, a limited amount of staterooms will now be available for booking. A full range of staterooms will be offered including the two-bedroom family villa, courtyard penthouse, spa suite and studios. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and most innovative ship to date, returned from her first successful sea trials on Sunday, February 14, 2010, after four days of sailing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. During the sea trials, 300 technicians and engineers from STX FRANCE SA, along with 30 Norwegian Cruise Line representatives, checked more than 60 different aspects of the ship’s performance by running trials of the vessel’s speed, maneuverability, hydrodynamics and propulsion, amongst others. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Legends in Concert, the original and world’s greatest live tribute show, will be featured for the first time at sea in more than a decade on Norwegian Epic, the company’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruruising ship to date, debuting in June 2010. A staple on Las Vegas’ center strip for the past 25 years, Legends in Concert is known as the pioneer of live tribute shows and has assembled the greatest collection of live tribute artists and celebrity look-alikes in the industry. Norwegian Epic also welcomed Howl at the Moon, the world’s greatest rock ‘n roll dueling piano show that encourages audience participation.

“Norwegian Epic has already made headlines with its world-class entertainment offerings, featuring Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams” and Dinner and The Second City. Now, with the addition of Legends in Concert and Howl at the Moon, we have raised the bar even higher, taking cruise ship entertainment to a whole new level, on par with major entertainment hubs like Las Vegas and New York,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “With their wide range of incredibly talented superstar tribute artists and celebrated entertainers, Legends in Concert will appeal to music fans of all ages, making this a must-see show for our guests. Howl at the Moon gives guests the chance to sing along to music from the “70′s to today in a highly interactive show.”

Legends In Concert
Legends in Concert is a live musical celebration featuring the world’s greatest celebrity tribute artists such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Tom Jones, Tina Turner, Madonna, Garth Brooks, Rod Stewart, Cher, Barry White, Tim McGraw and Shania Twain, among many others. Legends in Concert on Norwegian Epic will feature three celebrity tribute performers taking the stage in the Epic Theater for six 45-minute shows over three days during a seven-day cruise. In addition, a cabaret-style show will be performed on three additional nights in the Manhattan Room, the ship’s New York-inspired supper club, providing an unprecedented dining and entertainment experience on Norwegian Epic. The celebrity performers will change every four months, keeping the show fresh and exciting.

Each universally-renowned Legends in Concert performer not only looks and sounds like the star they portray, they transform themselves through hours of practice at their craft. This is accomplished by using their own natural voices and every detail is taken into consideration from choreography, to hair, make-up and mannerisms.

“We are thrilled about this new long-term multi-dimensional partnership with Norwegian and are honored to be invited to perform weekly on board this exceptionally innovative ship, joining the most prolific entertainment line-up ever assembled on the high seas,” said Brian Brigner, chief operating officer for “Legends” producer On Stage Entertainment. “We will have the highest quality tribute acts in the world performing on Norwegian Epic, and they will be joined by the always electrifying Legends singers and dancers, and a rockin’ live band.”

Howl at the Moon
Performing four times per cruise in Headliners, Norwegian Epic’s comedy club, Howl at the Moon is a total entertainment experience where the talented piano players not only entertain the guests; the guests become part of the show. The fun is centered around two baby grand pianos and a full out rock show with Howl’s entertainers playing the best music from 70′s rock to hip-hop for four hours per show. Howl at the Moon, with multiple locations across the United States, encourages people to live out their inner rock star, so guests should be ready to clap, sing, dance and howl.

“We are very excited to bring our high-energy entertainment to the high seas,” said Jimmy Bernstein, Howl at the Moon founder and chief executive officer. “Howl’s mission is to entertain every guest with our ever-evolving rock show and to create a party atmosphere that can be enjoyed by everybody. I cannot wait for Norwegian Epic’s guests to experience what Howl at the Moon is all about!”

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced that the construction of its largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, reached another milestone yesterday with the fitting of its two huge funnels at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France. The massive block consisted of three parts: the two funnels separated by a HVAC station. It weighed 45 tons, and measured approximately 46 feet high, 65 feet long and 23 feet wide, roughly the size of a large yacht. The addition of the funnel is significant as it represents one of the final stages in the completion of the superstructure.

At this stage, the funnel has not reached its final size as it is not yet equipped with the exhaust pipe system. In order to install the system, a crane will be installed on deck 15 to raise the exhaust pipe system over the blue funnel block, located on deck 17.

The last block on the fore part of the vessel will be lowered at the end of the week. Then, the radar mast will be added which will complete Norwegian Epic’s structure before her transfer to the outfitting dock. The ship’s float out and transfer to the outfitting dock is currently planned for July 11, 2009.

The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery at the end of May 2010.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced it is changing the face of cruise line entertainment on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic. The company will welcome Blue Man Group, performing in the 685-seat Epic Theater. Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience and beginning in the summer of 2010 will be seen for the first time ever at sea only on Norwegian Epic.

“Norwegian Cruise Line has spent 42 years breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising and redefining what it means to be innovative. Now, with Norwegian Epic, we are re-inventing cruise ship entertainment by offering multiple entertainment options for every taste and age,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “Having a world-class creative organization like Blue Man Group headline the entertainment on Norwegian Epic will provide our guests with a sensory experience unlike any other at sea.”

More Entertainment Venues

Norwegian Epic will have multiple, specially-designed entertainment venues throughout the ship so that guests can choose from a wide variety of entertainment each evening of their cruise. No longer will entertainment be focused on two nightly shows in one large main theater. Norwegian Epic takes Freestyle Cruising to the next level by offering a number of entertainment options in specially-designed venues, some offered for the first time ever at sea, with choices to appeal to a broad audience.

Spiegel Tent: On Norwegian Epic, guests will find the only “big top” at sea. In this intimate 265-seat theater-in-the-round, famed producer/director Neil Goldberg will present Cirque Dreams® and Dinner. This one of a kind interactive theatrical dining experience will be performed in the air, while juggling dinner courses, with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. During this two-hour show, guests will marvel in amazement and become part of a celebration of spectacle and fantasy. The entire experience will be unlike anything else at sea.

Headliners Comedy Club: This 280-seat comedy club will feature the hilarious improvisational comedy of The Second City, as Norwegian continues its exclusive partnership with the famed troupe. For nearly 50 years, The Second City has honed the skills of comedic legends such as Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Gilda Radner and John Belushi. The ensemble will perform a special customized comedy revue of satirical skits, hilarious songs and inventive improvisation. The venue’s design centers on a show lounge format with a small raised stage, concrete floors and brick walls with a full bar.

Fat Cats: Guests on board Norwegian Epic can sit back and relax listening to the cool vibes of jazz and blues in this 200-seat jazz club. Fat Cats will feature nightly live blues and jazz performances by world-class talent. The urban setting creates a hipster vibe complete with full bar and comfortable leather sofas and chairs.

Epic Casino: This appropriately named casino is Norwegian’s largest casino at sea, spanning more than 13,000 square feet. It features an elegant Monte Carlo inspired design theme and is open to Taste, the Atrium restaurant below, and to the excitement of Bar Central above. Here, guests will find many opportunities to try their luck including 340 of the latest slot machines; along with gaming tables featuring poker, black jack, roulette and craps. And, with the most rewarding Players Club Program at sea there will be something for everyone, from the novice to the high roller. Cascades Bar, with a grand central crystal chandelier, serves as the casino’s centerpiece.

Epic Theater: In addition, the theater will be home to another featured show which will be announced later this year.

As of May 21, 2009, Norwegian Epic’s 2010 inaugural sailings are open for sale, with cruise fares starting at $699 per person. The first Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami is scheduled for July 17, 2010 and the ship’s alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries are available through April 2011. Norwegian Epic’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship’s Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.