Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

While deemed an “interesting” ship in terms of physical appearance by the cruise wags, the Norwegian Epic certainly makes up for its somewhat less-than-sleek appearance with a boat load of innovations.  And the Cruise Professor ponders just how important the outside of a ship really is. After all, you can’t see the outside when you are on in the inside.

So, now for the news.  NCL’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.

“During her first time ever at sea, Norwegian Epic performed above expectations with excellent marine behavior,” said Roberto Martinoli, Norwegian’s president and COO, who was on-board during the sea trials.  “All tests were conducted with positive results. She is a beautiful ship with outstanding performance.  Now that sea trials are completed, we can concentrate on finishing the ship and showing her to the world in June.”

Following her seven-day transatlantic crossing from Southhampton to New York on June 24, 2010 and inaugural activities in New York and Miami, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami from July 10, 2010 through April 30, 2011.   Ports of call on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.  The Western Caribbean cruises visit Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.  The 2011 cruise season from May-October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a series of seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona.  When she returns to Miami on November 5, 2011, she will sail a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 7, 2012.

Want to join the fun?   iCruise has low group rates on virtually every departure. Your www.iCruise.com personal cruise expert can start you on your way to an “epic” vacation.