Norwegian Epic - One Step Closer

Accompanied by a fleet of six tugboats, the Norwegian Epic made its first venture out to sea on July 11th, 2009. The "Float Out Ceremony" began at 7am as the ship made its first journey down the Loire Estuary to its outfitting dock. This event represented a major milestone as the ship has now moved into its final stage of construction, and work on the vessel's interior can now begin.

The ship will incorporate high-design New Wave staterooms with dark woods and curved walls giving the cabin a sleek chic feeling throughout. The innovative ship will also include 14 restaurant choices, a 33-foot high rock climbing wall and the largest bowl slide at sea - the Epic Plunge. As for entertainment, The Norwegian Epic will feature some of the most avante-garde shows ever seen at sea, including the Blue Man Group in the 685-seat Epic Theater, and the interactive Cirque Dreams and Dinner where guests will marvel at acrobatic theater during the two-hour dinner performance.

And for the very first time, a cruise ship will feature an ice bar, where the temperature inside is kept at a very cool 17 degrees fahrenheit (-8 degrees celsius) and guests are given coats and gloves to keep warm. Or for a little more spice and sizzle, guests can dance to the latin beat in Spice H2O Club.

The Norwegian Epic is scheduled to be delivered in May 2010, with its first sailing from Miami scheduled for July 17, 2010. The ship will alternate Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries until April 2011.