Norwegian Epic

Launched in 2010, the mighty Norwegian Epic belongs to an 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 worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL, Oceania and RSSC (Regent).

The 155,873-ton, 4,100-passenger cruise 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 Carribean 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 fining, endless buffets plus gourmet French, Japanese Teppanyaki, a traditional steakhouse and more.

Cruise itinerary program

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

Cabins

Of all NCL Epic staterooms, 75 are located in the signature all-suite complex “The Haven”. The Norwegian Epic has the biggest number of single occupancy cabins for solo travelers (Studio rooms), a total of 128 cabins. The ship is unique with the lack of Oceanview cabins. Most Norwegian Epic staterooms are 155-sq.foot Balcony rooms (1086). There are a total of 2114 staterooms in 38 categories. The largest aboard Norwegian Epic are the Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suites (730 ft2).

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 specialty 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 specialty dinner-only restaurant; reservations-only; US$20 cover charge)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi specialty, 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 (specialty dinner restaurant for prime steaks and gourmet seafood specialties; 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 specialty 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. The space also hosts the Second City's 3-times-a-cruise and murder-mystery lunch for $20.

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 (specialty 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 (company specializing in 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 spiral slide, Bungee Trampoline, 9-hole Mini Golf course).

• Cabin grades number: 38
• Total number of cabins: 2979 (of which 1951 balcony, 688 Inside, 128 single rooms)
• Dining Rooms: Manhattan, Taste
• Restaurants and food bars: "Le Bistro" (French), "Cagney’s" (steakhouse), "Teppanyaki" (Japanese), "Moderno" (Brazilian steakhouse), "O’Sheehan’s" (burgers, Noodle Bar), "Garden Cafe" (buffet), "La Cucina" (Italian), "Wasabi " (sushi), "Courtyard" (grill).
• Lounges & Bars: Svedka, Spice H2O, Bliss Ultra, Cascades, Sake, poolside bars.
• Amenities: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry. NCL Epic tipping/gratuities are US$12 pp pd. The Epic cruise ship does not allow onboard weddings.
• Entertainment - the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), Epic Water Park (with 3 slides, plus a kids aqua park), casino, sports complex, feature shows ("ROCK OF AGES", "CIRQUE DREAMS"), "Blue Man Group", "Legends in Concert".
• Spice H2O retreat area, Posh Beach Club adult area, Mandara Spa, 9 jacuzzis, 7 pools.
• The Epic cruise ship is of one of a kind (of the unique "F3 Project" vessel class) and has no sister ships. The vessel is exactly 32% smaller by GT in comparison to the Royal Caribbean's largest ships Harmony, Oasis and Allure.
• The ship's Inaugural Cruise (Maiden Voyage) was a Cruise to Nowhere from NYC (July 2-4, 2010). This so special event also featured the "Macy's" (luxury department stores chain) 34th Annual "Fourth of July" New York fireworks display - on the ship! Note: "Macy's" have been sponsoring the NYC's 4th of July fireworks since 1976.
• First Transatlantic cruise (from Southampton to New York City) was on June 24, 2010. Epic was at that time the largest passenger ship to visit the NYC cruise ship terminal ("Manhattan Cruise Terminal" and "Luxury Liner Row").
• All the ship's outside staterooms have balconies. Epic is the first cruise ship ever to have (and so many of them) solo cruise cabins (staterooms bookable with single occupancy rates).
• (May 2010 accident) - While still under construction at the "Chantiers de l'Atlantique" shipyard, there was a fire on the ship's Deck 4 (aft, the provisioning section). The accident resulted in cables damages only. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished. Firefighters suspected an arson attack. Despite this incident, the sensational Epic cruise ship was delivered to NCL on time.