Virtual Tour of Norwegian Epic
I wrote this ‘textual tour’ before the amazing Norwegian Epic had been completed and delivered. My information was based on press releases, deck plans and artists renderings. Please note that this article is only as accurate as the information that has been released at the time of writing (May 2009).
Most other modern ships have a main theatre and a main dining room which can hold around half the passenger capacity in one sitting, but not Epic. Like on board the ‘Jewel’ class, NCL have opted for multiple dining rooms in keeping with their ‘freestyle’ concept offering a wide choice of dining. They have taken a similar approach to entertainment. Epic has 18 bars and lounges, at least 1 6 dining choices, plus multiple entertainment venues in keeping with their ‘Freestyle’ concept. Norwegian Epic has an impressive 19 decks, although decks 1- 4 are not public decks. Therefore the action starts at deck 5.
Deck 5: The front half is exclusively public rooms, the rear half is crew, kitchen and/or technical spaces. At the bow of deck 5 is the ‘Epic Theatre’ which is a two level theatre with raked seating. It holds a little under 700 passengers, so is quite small for a ship with a 4,2000 lower berths, but there are other entertainment venues.
Working our way aft, after the theatre, there are a couple of meeting rooms (starboard) a photo shop and ‘art sales’ area located centrally in what may be a small atrium’s floor space, although it is difficult to tell from the deck plans. ‘I-connect’ the internet café is located adjacent to the ‘art sales’ (starboard) and a little further towards the aft is the ‘Click’ photo gallery, which I am told has ‘digital’ facilities for printing images. Adjacent to the photo gallery (port) is ‘Le Bistro’, French restaurant which is featured on board all NCL ships and serves some of the best food on the ‘Jewel’ class. NCL say: Norwegian’s upscale bistro will serve classic French cuisine with an American flair. This elegant dining establishment surrounds guests with contemporary and traditional paintings and sculptures, making guests feel as if they were dining in an art museum.
There is also an ‘art gallery’ room in this area. Continuing aft, we reach the main atrium which looks to be three decks high at most. It contains the usual reception desk, shore excursions desk and an atrium café. It will also have a two-story high LCD screen. There is also a broadcast studio located here. Just beyond the atrium are two escalators (one up and one down, I assume) to deck 6, emerging in the Casino area. Continuing aft, we reach ‘Taste’ restaurant. Like many on the dining rooms onbord, it looks to be quite intimate. NCL say: Located in the ship’s atrium on Deck 5, Taste’s décor blends off-white, free-form plastered walls with European retro-chic mixed with brick details and floor to ceiling velvet curtains. Taste will serve a selection of traditional and contemporary cuisine.
Deck 6: all of this deck is dedicated to public rooms. At the bow there is the upper level of the ‘Epic Theatre’. Proceeding aft, we have a central feature called the ‘entertainment kiosk’. I can only guess that this might be a ticket office for booking shows. Maybe it’s even automated using a passenger smart-card? Continuing aft a little there is the ‘Spiegel Tent’ on the port side, which is a circular double height circus-tent type show lounge which will offer which woill offer “Cirque Dreams and Dinner”. The upper level has a balcony with dining tables overlooking the performance sopace in the middle. One assumes a circus show and meal will attract a surcharge.
Send in the Clowns - The Spiegel Tent
Adjacent this is ‘Headliner’s Comedy Club’ which speaks for itself. This is a single height room which looks quite intimate in the renderings, but looks reasonably large on the deck plan.
‘O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill’ is located amidships. This ‘Pub’ style lounge, appears to be one of the bigger on the ship. Here is NCL’s description: Dine on American classics as well as your favorite comfort foods, served 24 hours a day. Watch sporting events on multiple flat screen televisions. Up for something more than mere spectator sports? O’Sheehan’s also has three lanes of bowling, dart boards, pool tables, foosball and arcade games. NCL say: The atrium’s two-story high screen will be visible from inside the restaurant. I’m not sure how this is possible looking at the deck plans, but all will be revealed in good time.
Continuing aft, the two escalators emerge from deck 5 into the Casino area. Unusually this overlooks the Atrium below, where as most Casiono’s on other ships are an enclosed room. It will have 340 slot machines and lots of gaming tables. Moving further aft we reach ‘Shanghai’s Chinese Restaurant (starboard). NCL say: Shanghai’s: is a new addition to Norwegian’s specialty dining options will serve a delicious mix of Chinese dishes and noodle bar specialties. The décor reflects Old Shanghai in the 1930s and is reminiscent of the China Club in Hong Kong. There will be an open kitchen preparing traditional Chinese cuisine, noodles, wok fried dishes and dim sum.
The ‘Cascade’ bar serves the Casino and is located centrally, and ‘Fat Cats’ Jazz Club, which is an intimate 280 seat venue. The two level Manhattan Room Restaurant occupies the very aft of the ship. It is a two deck height room with balcony and art deco style windows overlooking the ships wake. This room takes up the full width of the ship so is reasonably large, with a surprisingly large dance floor, it would seem.
The Mahatten
Here is NCL’s description: You’ll feel like you’re in a private New York City supper club, thanks to panoramic ocean views from the two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows. An expansive dance floor and stylish Art Deco fixtures complement the sophisticated ambiance. Before, after or during your meal, you’re invited to kick up your heels to the live music that changes style every night – from salsa to ballroom.
Deck 7: This deck has the promenade deck with ‘deck games’ port and a and ‘jogging track’ starboard. The deck plans suggest that it is not a full wrap around prom. At the bow is the ‘Bliss Ultra lounge’. Along with O’Sheehan’s, this is the biggest lounge. Here is NCL’s description: Bliss Ultra Lounge and Nightclub – back by popular demand. NCL takes its popular Bliss Ultra Lounge and Nightclub, featured on Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Pearl, to the ‘Norwegian Epic’. Bliss features NCL’s signature bowling alley at sea as part of this all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with the feel of a decadent Las Vegas nightclub. Located on deck seven, this hotspot is perfect for all-day bowling, dancing or just hanging out. In the evening, Bliss transforms into a hip, high-energy ultra lounge with plasma screens displaying music videos, shadow dancers entertaining the crowd and non-stop music. A dance floor, private VIP areas and mood-lit bowling complete this totally unique seagoing experience. Bliss features NCL’s popular White Hot Night, the ultimate dance party set in a wonderland of white. Guests are encouraged to wear white to the party and they can purchase specially designed “white hot” shirts and feather boas. Bliss will feature the addition of gaming tables with dealers.
Moving towards amidships we have the second level of the ‘Spiegel Tent’ and a number of shops. Continuing aft, we have the small ‘Ice Bar’ on the port side.
You can't beat a cold beer!
NCL says: The Ice Bar is one of only 14 ice bars in the world, the cruise industry’s first true ice bar. This frozen chamber of iced vodka is set in changing hues of blue, green and purple LED lighting that simulates the Northern Lights and creates a distinctive arctic atmosphere. The centerpiece is a giant ice cube that glows and changes colors as the hottest techno beats add to the energy of this unique nightlife attraction. In addition, NCL’s Ice Bar features a bar, walls, tables, stools, glasses and life-size sculptures all made from ice. Ice Bar will accommodate 25 guests who will be given fur coats, gloves and hats to keep them warm, since the room’s temperature will not rise above 17 degrees Fahrenheit. To enter, guests will pay a cover charge with a drink or drinks included.
Continuing aft we find the ‘Tepanyakki’ dining room, ‘Wasabi Sushi Bar’ and ‘Sake’ bar (starboard). NCL say: Wasabi: This expansive sushi and sake bar will serve the freshest sushi, sashimi and Japanese Yakitori dishes. Featuring modern décor and clean lines, Wasabi is located outside the Teppanyaki restaurant. Teppanyaki: As the largest Teppanyaki restaurant at sea with 115 seats, this expanded restaurant will feature up to 24 knife-wielding chefs cooking exhibition-style Japanese cuisine on flat top grills. Guests will be amazed by the masterful chefs who demonstrate their skills slicing and dicing while creating an appetizing meal. These are a similar concept to those on the ‘jewel’ class.
Also on the port is ‘Shakers Martini Bar’. Continuing aft, we have ‘Maltings’ whisky bar, the ‘Humadore Cigar Lounge’, a shop and a barbers shop. At the very aft is ‘Cagney’s Steak house and Churrascaria’. NCL say: “We’ve taken our traditional steakhouse and fused it with a trendy, energetic Argentinean-inspired Churrascaria that overlooks The Manhattan Room. Taking center stage is a huge, mouthwatering, irresistibly fresh salad bar and the finest cuts of meat grilled or skewered to order”.
Decks 8 – 13 are purely accommodation decks, apart from the Medical Centre on deck 10 and the two story private lounge, the ‘Living room’ on deck 11/12, serving the 128 small ‘Studio’ cabins spread over both of those decks. These are 100 sq ft bedsit like cabins.
NCL's version of a Bedsit!
NCL descibe them: “A first in design for the cruise industry, these ultra-modern staterooms maximize space and feature a large, round window that looks out into the corridor, along with customizable color changing light effects that mirror different stages of the day or the guest’s mood, including a love setting for those romantic nights at sea. The Studios occupy two decks and have exclusive key-card access to the Living Room, a two-story shared private lounge. It features a concierge, bar, room service, two large TV screens, and comfy seating for hanging out, reading a book or just enjoying a cocktail before dinner”.
Deck 13 also has a bridge viewing room, forward, probably similar to the QM2’s?
Deck 14 is a mixture of cabins and public rooms. Forward is ‘La Cucina’ italian resterant for 182 guests. NCL say: “La Cucina is aTuscan-style eatery will serve regional Italian specialties including pizza, pasta and steak, chicken and fish dishes. The traditional Italian décor reflects two distinct areas: a Tuscan farm home and an Italian courtyard, where a large olive tree with hanging lanterns is the centerpiece, open to Café Jardin above”. From it’s forward location, I would hope that ‘La Cucina’ had impressive views over the ships bow, but this is not confirmed by the rendering.
Proceeding aft, past casbins, amidships is the ‘Recess Kids Club’. “NCL say: Recess is split into sections based upon age. The two sections are Kid’s 2-9 yrs. old and Tween’s 10-12 yrs. old. The Kid’s area includes a space-themed play area, air hockey table, an interactive light up dance floor; Nintendo Wii; an arts and crafts area; along with a state-of-the-art surround sound cinema. The Tween Zone has a futuristic feel that includes multiple Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 areas; along with a private karaoke performance stage which doubles as a cinema”.
Moving aft is the first squash court at sea, then the ‘Pusle’ fitness centre/areobics room, hair and beuaty salon and fully aft, the ‘Mandarin’ Spa. This ‘health 7 beuaty’complex looks particularly extensive. Located on this deck are a total of 39 spa suites, NCL says: these are deluxe balcony and balcony staterooms. They have a have private key-card entry to the luxurious thermal suite and fitness center. For an added indulgence, eight spa suites each feature an in-room whirlpool.
Deck 15 features the first level of the very ungaily forward deck extensin. The lower level contains the ‘Café Jardin & The Great Outdoors’ and the ‘Kids Café’, which I assume is the self-service buffet area and lido (open air) dining area, although NCL don’t like the term ‘bufet’. NCL say: “Café Jardin & The Great Outdoors: Café Jardin’s décor is modeled after a traditional English country garden conservatory. This is Norwegian’s signature action station casual restaurant where chefs cook fresh, prepared-to-order food as guests watch, featuring seafood, pizza, fruit, soups, pasta, ethnic specialties, burgers and desserts; offering extensive and varied selections. The Café includes a Kid’s Café with child-friendly seats and tables. At the Great Outdoors, guests can enjoy fresh air and a view of the Aqua Park with their meal”.
Water, water, everywhere...
NCL say: “Suit up and splash down at our first ever Aqua Park. Choose from three multi-story water slides of varying thrill factors. The first one is specifically designed for the not-so-adventurous and zips straight through the rock-climbing wall. The second slide is for the slightly more adventurous, because it twists and turns down three stories. Then there’s The Epic Plunge, the only tube slide at sea that puts the blast of inner-tubing into the core of a bowl slide, with a thrilling drop through a 200-foot long tube. The Aqua Park also includes two main pools with arching water effects that illuminate at night, five hot tubs, a wading pool and a kid’s pool that features whimsical sculptures, water sprays and a slide”. This area is comple with a stage and a small casino area.
Behind the twin funnels are two rock climbing wall (more about these later). We then pass through an area called the Marketplace (I have no information about this area) to the ‘Spice H2O’ pool and grill.
Such pretty people, but what if it rains?
NCL say: Spice H20 – what an aft-pool never dared to be. Infused with Latin and Asian influences, colors and vibes, this adults-only complex located at the back of the ship on decks 15 and 16 features a huge LED screen displaying vibrant video images from charging bulls to flamenco dancers, and synchronized swimmers to tap dancing Geishas all combined with dynamic music to create a truly unique and sensory experience. During the day, guests can soak up the sun in lounge beds around the pool while enjoying chill-out Asian tunes and Asian-inspired cuisine in Chinese to-go containers. As the sun sets, Spice H20 is transformed to an Ibiza-inspired beach club with live entertainment and dinner served tableside or directly on beds. At night, the mood is red-hot with Latin mash-up vibes, dancing and unique entertainment atop the covered pool. (I’ve no idea what a mash-up vibe is, but then I’m obviously too old for it).
Deck 16 forward, features the ‘ship-within-a-ship’ suite complex.
How the 'other half' will live.
A total of 60 Courtyard Villas, Penthouse Suites and Deluxe Owner’s Suites on two private decks high atop the ship on Decks 16 and 17. All have exclusive access to a private pool, two whirlpools, saunas, sun deck, fitness facility, private indoor/outdoor dining, bar and concierge lounge. NCL say: There are 46 of NCL’s signature Courtyard Villas featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms of ultimate luxury. Six Courtyard Penthouses include a bedroom with separate living and dining area. Eight Deluxe Owner’s Suites feature all-around floor to ceiling windows, bedroom and separate living and dining area. There are also seven Penthouse Suites located in other areas of the ship (322 square feet each) .Guests staying in one of these suites will have exclusive access to the Courtyard Villa complex featuring a pool, two whirlpools, gym, saunas, sundeck, indoor/outdoor dining, bar/nightclub and concierge lounge.
The deck 16 level features the 23 courtyard villas and 2 deluxe owners suites (852 square feet each) This complex also feature a private courtyard and pool, steam rooms, courtyard Gill/bar, concierge lounge and the Epic club. The Epic Club and Courtyard Grill is reserved exclusively for Norwegian Epic’s 127 suite and villa guests. Key code access ensures privacy. The aft of this deck is the ‘Epic Plunge (upper level of tube slide), the ‘Entourage’ teen centre and the upper tiered level of ‘Spice H20’. NCL say about ‘Entourage’: Entourage is a high energy, exclusive teen zone for ages 13 through 17. This funky space includes air hockey; pinball; foosball; a video jukebox; and nine large flat screen televisions, five of which are located around a central video game console featuring Sony PlayStation 3. In the evening, Entourage transitions into a hip nightclub with a space for dancing or just hanging out on comfy couches. Directly below is the video arcade.
I belive the ‘Halo – Uber Bar’ concept has been replaced by the ‘Epic Club’. Here is NCL’s original statement: Halo, the Über Bar – heavenly and very exclusive. Garden and Courtyard villa guests have exclusive VIP access to this Über Bar located at the top of the ship on the private deck 16. This Über Bar showcases the best of the best, from the best liquors around the world to the best art featured and available for purchase with jewelry-clad servers displaying the best jewelry onboard for purchase. LED screens, framed like masterpieces and placed strategically around the room, set the mood with video montages showing the best artwork, music videos, films, iconic images of celebrities, places, fashion and more. Private gaming tables, including baccarat and blackjack, add to the sexy style in this adult-only club.
Halo - Uber Bar, no longer a feature onboard Epic?
Deck 17 features 24 more courtyard villas, 4 courtyard penthouses’ and 6 deluxe owners suites. Aft is the ‘sports deck’. NCL say: The Sports Complex has not one, but two decks to play on. Join a game of pickup on a full-sized basketball court or relive those school days playing dodge ball. Practice your swing in our batting cage. Even the climbing wall is incredible. Part rock and part vertical building; our new climbing wall is accessible on two levels with varying degrees of difficulty, rated according to official U.S. climbing grades. At 33 feet high and 64 feet wide, the extreme climbing wall includes a water tube weaving right through the middle and the first-ever rappelling wall at sea. There’s also a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage we call the Spider Web.
Deck 18 is the roof of the ‘villa’ complex. This features a private courtyard sundeck and public sundeck, port and starboard. So I assume the ‘have nots’ can look into the at the ‘haves’. At the rear of the structure is the Posh Beach Club. NCL say: The best nightlife day or night. Adult guests who purchase a POSH pass for the day or the week will take a private glass elevator to enter this luxurious and exclusive outdoor entertainment complex styled with Mediterranean flare and combined with the sizzle of South Beach and the Riviera. During the day, guests can lounge on white-cushioned day beds and in private cabanas in a sun-kissed setting and cool off in the 35-foot long cascading waterfall while the POSH VIP Host and crew cater to every whim. At night, things heat up as POSH Beach Club becomes an open air night club, complete with VIP bottle service, while the DJ sets the vibe for the non-stop party. Four POSH experiences a day will be delivered: Posh Rehab, 9 am to noon, featuring a relax and recover area from a night out with Salty Dogs, Bloody Mary’s, and Mimosas combined with chill-out tunes; Posh Sol, noon to 6 pm, featuring nightlife in the daytime where guests can lounge on day beds, enjoy funky beach music and spiked Posh snow cones, while chilling under a lit waterfall; and Pure Push, 6 pm to whenever, featuring a nightlife experience with sparkling drinks and bottle service served on silver trays. Guests can dance all night under the stars or lounge on a Posh bed. (A later press release said the Posh beach Club was for Villa guests only, a contridiction).
Deck 19 has the ‘Posh’ sundeck which overlooks ‘Posh Beach Club’. There is also a ‘Freestyle’ sun deck, whatever that is?
Staterooms Types:
Wavey Walls!
225 Family Deluxe Balcony and 146 Family Balcony staterooms, with triple and quad occupancies, are located on two decks (13 and 14) within close proximity to the expanded Kids Crew. These staterooms feature Norwegian’s signature New Wave design with contemporary curved architecture and open living space. The curved walls and ceilings maximize the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. Deluxe Balcony Staterooms: 98 Deluxe Balcony staterooms featuring NCL’s signature New Wave design. New Wave Balcony Staterooms: 851 Balcony staterooms feature Norwegian’s New Wave design and open living space; located throughout the ship on Decks 8 to 14. Inside Staterooms: 560 Inside staterooms, located on Decks 8 through 14.
In conclusion: when I first heard that NCL were joing the big leuge with the announcement of two 150,000 gross ton mega-ships, code named F3 (third generation Freestyle) I was amazed. Only RCI and Cunard (QM2) willl have ships of similar or bigger size. (NCL were to reduce their order to one ship and name it ‘Norwegian Epic’).
Epic is a mass market ship and is in direct competion with the like of RCI’s ‘Oasis of the Seas’, their ‘Freedom’ and ‘Voyager’ class ships. Epic’s design expands apon the many ideas pioneered onboard their ‘Jewel’ class ships. Where as market leaders, RCI and Carnival ships are still relatively traditional with one main dining room, two sittings and a main theatres, NCL have broken the mould with multipledining and entertainment. Extensive use of the outside decks will also be used for evening entertainment.
Epic will be a true floating resort and a high density ship, in terms of passenger numbers. She will have a passenger-to-space ratio of around 30. For comparison Oasis is around 40 (the bigger number indicating more space per passenger). Another way to look at it, is that ‘Epic’ will be asimilar size to the QM2, but carry 1600 more passengers. It’s not a fair comparison, although an interesting one, but that’s the differancer between ‘Premium’ and ‘Mass Market’. However, her fares are likely to be a lot lower than the likes of the QM2.
Epic will have all of the advantages and disadvantages that big ships bring. How will they manage in embark and disembark so many passenhers efficeinetly? If it rains and the outside decks are not avaialble to use, how will the public rooms cope with the passenger numbers? What happens when nearly everyone want breakfat at the same time?
Never the less, Epic looks set to be one of the most exciting ships in the Caribbean. My only concern is how well NCL will manage the onboard services such as dining, entertainment and service. Fresstlyle is a great innovation but at times NCL have managed it incosisitently. However, I am very hopeul that they may well get this project right.
You can view the deck plans and renderings here: http://ncl.worldmedia.net
Malcolm Oliver, 2009
