Norwegian’s second largest ship re-entered service with new features including Broadway musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert, entertainment venue The Cavern Club, library and refreshed spaces.
WIESBADEN – Norwegian Epic welcomed guests on board on Monday, October 19, following a three-week dry dock where the ship received significant enhancements across the vessel, including entertainment, dining, technical operations and more. The new features come as Norwegian Epic readies for her winter and summer season sailing the Mediterranean from Barcelona, followed by her return to the United States and her new home in Port Canaveral in the autumn of 2016.
Norwegian Epic now features a brand new entertainment outlet The Cavern Club, bringing the legendary Liverpool venue where the Beatles saw their popularity skyrocket to life. Following the addition of Broadway sensation Burn the Floor earlier this year, Norwegian Epic was outfitted with a second new Broadway show during the dry dock, Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical. Based on the Oscar-winning movie, the show is a heart-warming, uplifting comedy adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of discovering. The Tony Award winning musical features a dazzling array of over 500 award-winning costumes, 200 extraordinary head-dresses and a hit parade of dance floor favourites, including “It’s Raining Men”, “I Will Survive”, and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”.
Dining enhancements for Norwegian Epic include extensive renovations to the existing Moderno Churrascaria, Cagney’s, La Cucina, Le Bistro, Garden Cafe, Manhattan Room restaurant and Taste restaurant. Many of the on-board dining venues received a refreshed look with new carpeting, reupholstered furniture, new decor and more.
Norwegian Epic was also outfitted with a brand new photo gallery, library and card room. Guests looking for a “cool” adventure can tee up at the new SplashGolf, which was installed in the ship’s Kids Aqua Park. This new attraction combines two age-old elements of fun – water features and mini golf – into one completely new, interactive water based game attracting all age groups for more family fun. Additionally, the vessel received major renovations and enhancements to the Mandara Spa, Bliss Ultra Lounge, pool deck Market Place, Epic Theater, Casino and the exclusive The Haven suite complex; including new lighting fixtures, artwork, wall covering, furniture and more.
“Norwegian Epic’s extended dry dock has given us the opportunity to not only enhance the ship’s public spaces but to add significant new features, including a brand new Tony Award-winning musical with Priscilla Queen of the Desert, a new entertainment venue with The Cavern Club and new activities like SplashGolf”, said Andy Stuart, President and Chief Operating Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We continue to heavily invest in our current fleet, to ensure that guests have a consistent experience across all Norwegian ships and the freedom and flexibility to create their ideal cruise vacation.”
Technical modernizations and maintenance also took place during the dry dock. The ship received a new pair of “Becker rudders” together with more efficient propeller caps, and state-of-the-art energy efficient hull paint. Additional significant technical and safety updates include: lifeboats and tender boats release systems upgrade; thrusters and stabilizers full maintenance, air ducts upgrades as well as improved storerooms’ refrigeration systems.
Photo caption: New entertainment venue The Cavern Club.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
