Norwegian Epic

The 2010-built Norwegian Epic cruise ship belongs to a unique vessel class and has no sisters by design. NCL Epic was the fleet's largest vessel until the arrival of the new Breakaway-Plus class ships.

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE (NYC). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL, Oceania and RSSC-Regent.

The 4200-passenger ship Norwegian Epic is the latest cruise ship owned by Norwegian Cruise Line before the launch of Norwegian Breakaway (2013). Epic became operational in June 2010. The vessel pioneered the ice bar at sea. She sails the most in the Caribbean and Europe offering new experience and entertainment proposed by the Blue Man Group at sea. Norwegian Epic offers new things like the Studios, planned for people traveling solo, and the private Haven. There are also a lot of options for dining such as traditional fine dining, endless buffets plus gourmet French, Japanese Teppanyaki, a traditional steakhouse and more.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Epic staterooms (2114 total, in 38 grades) include 348x Suites, 1086x Balcony, no Oceanviews, 560x Inside and 128x Studios (single cabins). NCL Epic ship featuress 75x “The Haven” staterooms and the biggest number of single-occupancy cabins (for solo travelers) - a total of 128. The ship is also unique for lacking Oceanviews. Most staterooms are sized 125-155 ft2 (12-15 m2). The largest accommodations are The Haven Deluxe Owners Suites (730 ft2 / 68 m2, with wraparound terrace sized 120 ft2 / 11 m2).

The boat has 19 decks, of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

NCL Norwegian pioneered the freestyle dining concept (eat whenever, with whomever and wherever you want). The concept is taken to a new level on the Epic. Expect to pay extra for the speciality restaurants, though there are plenty of spots included in the cruise fare. Most mega-ships feature a massive dining hall with big tables, but Epic goes another route. Closest to the standard here is the 592-seat Manhattan Room, with its two-story windows and a polished dance floor.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Epic restaurants and food bars.

• Taste Restaurant (forward Dining Room, complimentary, with Your Time dining)
• Le Bistro (French speciality dinner-only restaurant; reservations-only; US$20 cover charge)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi speciality, reservations-only restaurant; US$25; open for Lunch and Dinner; features live cooking demonstrations)
• The Manhattan Restaurant (aft-location Dining Room; complimentary; Freestyle dining, Dinner only)
• O’Sheehan’s Neighbourhood Bar & Grill (sports bar, with 24-hour American cuisine - burgers, steaks, desserts; complimentary)
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar (Asian cuisine complimentary restaurant inside O’Sheehan’s Pub area)
• Wasabi Sushi Bar (25-seat, a la carte charge)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (speciality dinner restaurant for prime steaks and gourmet seafood specialities; reservations-only, US$30 cover charge per person and free Kids Menu)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations-only; US$20 per person cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• La Cucina (Italian speciality restaurant; reservations-only, US$15 cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• Garden Cafe (complimentary buffet restaurant with various cuisine stations)
• The Great Outdoors (outdoor buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• The Haven Restaurant (Haven guests only, complimentary)
• Courtyard Grill & Bar (more casual area of The Haven, exclusive to Villa-Suite guests, complimentary for The Haven passengers)
• Spice H2O (pool grill & bar).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Most Norwegian Epic shows, even the free ones, need tickets though these can be booked at the box office on Deck 6 or online. The later the show, the smaller the audience, so better go later if you are in a big group and prefer to sit together. For karaoke, billiards and late-night dancing, there is adults-only Bliss Ultra Lounge, featuring three bowling lanes, non-stop music and plasma screens. The Cirque Dreams & Dinner show is set in the 2-floor Spiegel Tent. The show is a mix of shrill singing, acrobatics and food, with tickets starting at $29.99. This space also hosts the Second City's 3-times-a-cruise and murder-mystery lunch for $20. The ship has a total of 9 jacuzzis and 7 pools. Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).

Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry. NCL Epic tipping/gratuities are US$12 pp per day. The Epic cruise ship does not allow onboard weddings.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Epic lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Epic Theatre (680-seat; features Broadway-style musical productions; two grand-shows per night)
• Spiegel Tent (theatrical entertainment dining venue, with grand-style aerial acrobatics; surcharge $30-40 PP)
• Entertainment Kiosk (special venues, games bookings - Spiegel Tent, Blue Man Group, Murder Mystery, Second City Comedy)
• Atrium (3-deck midship hub area with a big-size LED screen, dance area and live entertainment)
• Atrium Cafe & Bar (speciality tea & coffee bar)
• I-Connect Internet Cafe (24-hour); Art Gallery; Click Photo Gallery & Shop
• Headliners Comedy Club & Lounge
• Fat Cats Jazz & Blues Club
• Sake Bar; Maltings Whisky Bar; Shaker’s Martini Bar; The Humidor (cigar lounge); SVEDKA Ice Bar; Waves Pool Bar; Studio Lounge
• Epic Casino (served by Cascades Bar)
• Tradewinds Shops (tax and duty-free boutiques); The Marketplace (shopping alley)
• Bliss Ultra Lounge & Nightclub; Concierge Lounge
• Cavern Club (Beatles-themed nightclub) added during refurbishment 2015
• Aqua Park (with 2 pools, 5 hot tubs, kids pool, 3 waterslides / including the Epic Plunge bowl slide). The SplashGolf is a retrofit to the ship's existing splash pad part of the Aqua Park area. It is located under the waterslides on pool deck 15 and combines 2 water fun attractions (splash pad and miniature golf) into one interactive water play facility for toddlers and small kids. Epic's SplashGolf was designed by Adventure Golf Services (a company specializing in the design and construction of mini-golf courses). The facility was installed in October 2015, during the ship's drydock refurbishment in Brest France. Instead of traditional solid mini golf balls, SplalshGolf's balls are larger and floating. Hole cups are also larger.
• Kids venues, club lounges (Kid’s Aqua Park, Splash Academy for kids 3-12 yo, Guppies Nursery for kids 6 months to 2 yo); Recess Kid’s Area (club venue for arts&crafts, movies, karaoke, PlayStations, PCs, kids play area, a special area for teens); Entourage Lounge & Club (teen-only area)
• Mandara Spa & Fitness (Thermal Suite, Snow Room, Salt Room, Medi Spa, Smile Spa, Treatment Rooms, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop, fitness classes)
• Courtyard Fitness & Spa complex (Villas-guests only, Steam Room, Gym)
• Spice H2O (adults only area)
• “The Haven” (Suite- and Villa-passengers only complex; consists of The Haven Courtyard, The Haven Restaurant, The Haven Lounge)
• Posh Beach Club (private sundeck, adults-only area for Suite-Villa guests)
• Rock Climbing Wall; Jogging Track; Sports Complex (Spider Web - enclosed 24ft/7m tall kids' climbing wall with a spiral slide, Bungee Trampoline, 9-hole Mini Golf course).

Itineraries

Norwegian Epic itinerary program is based on Western Mediterranean cruises from Rome and Barcelona, operated year-round, and visiting the Canary Islands and Madeira.

Epic is NCL's unique "F3 Project" liner and has no sisterships. The vessel is exactly 32% smaller by GT in comparison to Royal Caribbean's (and world's) largest Oasis-Class ships.

Ship's Inaugural Cruise (Maiden Voyage) was a Cruise to Nowhere from NYC New York (itinerary July 2-4, 2010). This so special event also featured Macy's (luxury department stores chain) 34th Annual "Fourth of July" NYC fireworks show - on the ship! Note: Macy's Stores sponsor NYC's 4th of July fireworks since 1976.

Ship's first Transatlantic crossing (Southampton to NYC) started on June 24, 2010. Epic was at that time the largest passenger vessel to visit NYC's Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

All outside staterooms have balconies. Epic is the first cruise ship ever to have (and so many of them) "studios". All solo cruise cabins are bookable with single occupancy rates.

NCL Epic refurbishment 2015 review

Follows the list of deckplan changes after ship's drydock 2015 refurbishment (September 27 to October 17) done at Damen Shipyard Brest (France).

• A new club lounge was opened under the name “The Cavern Club”. The venue is via a partnership with the original British club’s owners. It offers music inspired by "The Beatles" (live performances by international musicians).
• New evening entertainment options are also introduced at the ship’s theatre (deck 5). Among those are the musical “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and the Broadway-style dance show “Burn the Floor”.
• “Burn The Floor” show is also offered on the NCL newest ships Breakaway and Getaway. It is a ballroom dancing type of theatrical entertainment, with 14 professional dancers and 2 singers performing together with a live band.
• “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert” show is a musical type of comedy entertainment. The spectacle features numerous costumes, head-dresses and dancing classics, such as “It’s Raining Men”, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, etc.
• Extensive restaurant renovations were done to the Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse), Cagney’s (steakhouse), La Cucina (Italian), Le Bistro (French), Taste (dining room), Manhattan (dining room), Garden Cafe (buffet). Dining venues enhancements include new carpeting and decors, and their furniture was reupholstered.
• Major renovations were done to the Mandara Spa (deck 14), Bliss Ultra Lounge (promenade deck 7), Marketplace (lido deck 15), Epic Theater (deck 5), Casino (deck 6). The Haven Suite exclusive complex (decks 16-17) was updated with new furniture, lighting, wall covering, artworks.
• The list of new (redesigned) facilities includes a photo gallery (deck 5), library (deck 7), card room (deck 7) and the new SplashGolf (kids mini-golf course). The SplashGolf is a retrofit to the ship's existing splash pad (part of the Aqua Park area). It is located under the waterslides on pool deck 15 and combines 2 water fun attractions (splash pad and miniature golf) into one interactive water play facility for toddlers and small kids. Epic's SplashGolf was designed by Adventure Golf Services (a company specializing in the design and construction of mini-golf courses). Instead of traditional solid mini golf balls, SplalshGolf's balls are larger and floating. Hole cups are also larger.
• Among the technical entertainments and upgrades are the 2 new rudders (by Becker), new propeller caps, hull repainting (robot UHP blasting technology, new type silicone paint improving fuel efficiency). General maintenance works affected the release systems of all service boats (lifeboats, tenders), thrusters, stabilizers, diesel generator exchange, cooling water connections, the cabin air-conditioning system.