Norwegian Epic, 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 NCL representatives, checked more than 60 different aspects of the ship’s performance by running trials of the vessel’s speed, manoeuvrability, hydrodynamics and propulsion, amongst others.
“During her first time ever at sea, Norwegian Epic performed above expectations with excellent marine behaviour,” said Roberto Martinoli, NCL’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.”
A second round of sea trials is scheduled for mid-April in order to finalize all tests, including final speed measurement. The 153.000-gross ton, 4.200-passenger ship – the largest ship ever built in Saint-Nazaire – is scheduled for delivery on June 15, 2010. Following her seven-night transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York on June 24, 2010, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-night 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; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Both cruises are available from 599 Euro per person. The 2011 cruise season from May to October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a series of seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. When she returns to Miami on November 5, 2011, she will sail a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 7, 2012. The 2010/11 Caribbean cruises can be booked in every travel agency, bookings for the 2011 summer season open in March.
Theodore Koumelis - Thursday, February 18, 2010