Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic passing Calshot Spit light buoy in the Solent, outward bound from Southampton on its maiden voyage, bound for New York on 24 June 2010
Career
Name:	'F3 I' (2008-2010) Norwegian Epic (2010-Present)
Owner:	Norwegian Cruise Line
Operator:	Norwegian Cruise Line
Port of registry:	Nassau, Bahamas
Route:	Europe (Roundtrip from Barcelona Since Summer 2011)(Roundtrip from Rome & Marseille as well in Summer 2012]] Caribbean (Roundtrip from Miami Since 2010)
Builder:	STX Europe Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard, Saint-Nazaire, France
Maiden voyage:	June 24, 2010[1]
Status:	In service
General characteristics
Type:	Cruise ship
Tonnage:	155,873 GT (gross tonnage)[2]
Length:	1,081 ft (329.49 m) (LOA)
Beam:	maximum: 133 ft (40.54 m)
Draft:	28.5 ft (8.7 m)
Decks:	19 decks
Speed:	22 knots (41 km/h)
Capacity:	4,100 passengers (double occupancy)
Crew:	1,708
Notes:	Largest cruise ship built in St. Nazaire Third Largest Cruise Ship in The World

Norwegian Epic,^[3] also known under the project name F3, is the third largest cruise ship in the world, owned by the Norwegian Cruise Line and built by STX Europe Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Two ships in this class were ordered by NCL in November 2006, with an option for a third vessel that was not exercised. A dispute between NCL and STX initially resulted in the construction of both ships being placed on hold until a new agreement was reached in which the first ship will be completed and the construction of the second ship was cancelled. Delivery of the sole remaining ship was scheduled for June 2010.^[4]

Norwegian Epic was delivered to NCL on June 17, 2010.^[5] She set sail on her Maiden Voyage on Thursday June 24, 2010 from Southampton to New York and arrived on July 1. This is the largest cruise ship to ever dock in New York Passenger Ship Terminal.

Overview

The Norwegian Epic surpasses the Jewel-class as NCL's largest vessel by almost 60,000-GT. Norwegian Epic represents the "third generation" of Freestyle cruising vessels and its size allows NCL to have a ship that is in the "mega-class" of their competitors at Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Lines, though still 32% smaller by gross tonnage than Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the world's largest and longest passenger vessels.^[6] The ship has 4100 passenger berths, with 100% of outside cabins having balconies. NCL had stated that this ship would have 60% more passenger space than their then largest ships.^[7]

Norwegian Epic has the only tube and bowl water slide at sea in its Aqua park. It also has a rappelling wall, as well as two three-lane bowling alleys. It also has a 17-degree ice bar.^[8]

The F3-class ship was built by STX Europe at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The last ships delivered to NCL that was not at least partially built at a German shipyard was the Windward of 1993. Since that date and until this order, NCL's newbuildings have been built at the German Meyer Werft, Lloyd Werft, Bremer Vulkan and Aker MTW shipyards.

On April 13, 2010 NCL CEO Kevin Sheehan along with Macy's, Inc CEO Terry J. Lundgren and NBC CEO Jeff Zucker announced that the Macy's 34th Annual 4th of July Fireworks would take place on the Norwegian Epic (The fireworks were off on another Ship) The NBC One-Hour Telecast of the Event was broadcast from the Norwegian Epic.

Concept and construction

Norwegian Epic is reported to feature several innovative design features. The vessel utilizes a diesel-electric set up, with the six long-stroke MaK engines providing a total of 79.8 MW for ship propulsion and on-board electricity supply.^[9] These engines then drive high-torque density induction motors which turn two conventional (non-Azipod) screws.^[10]

In September 2008 dispute over the price of the first F3 vessel (at the time approximately 25% complete) arose between Norwegian Cruise Line and STX France. Reportedly the sale of 50% of NCL to Apollo Management in August 2007 resulted in Apollo making several changes to the designs, resulting in higher cost for the first vessel. It was reported that the construction of the second ship was unaffected by the dispute, but ultimately it was announced that the first ship will be completed and the construction of the second ship will be canceled.^[4][11][12]

The sea trial of Norwegian Epic occurred over four days beginning on February 10, 2010. During the sea trials, 300 technicians and engineers from Aker Yards France, along with 30 Norwegian Cruise Line representatives, checked more than 60 aspects of the ship's performance by running trials of the ship's speed, maneuverability, hydrodynamics and propulsion in the Atlantic Ocean.^[13][13][13]

A second round of sea trials was conducted on June 11, 2010, which finalized all the aspects of the ship.^[13][14]

Fire

In early May 2010, a fire broke out in a provisioning area aft on Deck 4; firefighters were able to contain the fire before it spread, with the only damage to an area of cabling.^[15][16] The conditions were found to be suspicious (there was no welding or other 'hot' work in the area, and the extinguishing system was non-operational), and the event was investigated by Saint-Nazaire police as an arson attack.^[16] Despite the damage, Norwegian Epic was delivered on time.

Current & Future Cruises

The Norwegian Epic is currently sailing out of Miami to sail 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises. After in 2012 will continue her 7-night Western Mediterranean sailings. Based out of Barcelona, Rome & Marseille^[17][18]

Gallery

• 

  Bow Art on the Norwegian Epic on its maiden voyage.

• 

  The Aqua Park water slide on Norwegian Epic.

• 

  A close-up of Norwegian Epic's water slides.

References

1. ^ "Most Popular". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/cruises/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=91094.blog&csp=34&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TP-TheCruiseLog+%28Travel+-+The+Cruise+Log%29. 
2. ^ Specifications - Norwegian Epic
3. ^ "NCL names F3 as Norwegian Epic". Cruise Business Review. Cruise Media Oy Ltd. 28 January 2009. http://cruisebusiness.com/cbr_old/news.php?u=20090128013725. Retrieved 28 January 2009. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "NCL and STX Europe agree to build one F3, second ship canceled". Cruise Business Review. Cruise Media Oy Ltd. 15 December 2008. http://cruisebusiness.com/cbr_old/news.php?u=20081218161224. Retrieved 19 December 2008. 
5. ^ Norwegian Cruise Line Takes Delivery Of Norwegian Epic. Cruise Industry News. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010
6. ^ Giovis, Jaclyn (19 June 2008). "New Royal Caribbean cruise ship offers many firsts". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080620090722/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flzcruise0619sbjun19,0,5570792.story. Retrieved 19 June 2008. 
7. ^ NCL Press Release
8. ^ "Live from Europe: A first look at Norwegian Cruise Line's much-awaited new ship". USA Today. 19 June 2010. http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2010/06/live-from-europe-a-first-look-at-norwegian-cruise-lines-much-awaited-new-ship/97257/1. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
9. ^ http://www.cat.com/cda/files/2250416/7/M16PR10final.doc
10. ^ http://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/category/norwegian-cruise-line-ncl
11. ^ Spencer Brown, Carolyn (2008-09-17). "NCL's F3 Delayed?". Cruise Critic. The Independent Traveler. http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2819. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
12. ^ "Aker Yards confirms dispute with NCL over cost of first F3". Cruise Business Review. Cruise Media Oy Ltd. 2008-09-22. http://www.cruisebusiness.com/cbr_old/news.php?u=20080922201933. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
13. ^ ^{a b c d} "Norwegian Epic sea trials a triumphant success". Cruise Industry News. 15 February 2010. http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/3678-21510-norwegian-epic-sea-trials-a-triumphant-success.html. Retrieved 16 February 2010. 
14. ^ http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?zoom=10&mmsi=311018500&centerx=-2.188832&centery=47.28401
15. ^ Sloan, Gene (May 5, 2010). "Fire breaks out on Norwegian Epic at shipyard". The Cruise Log. USA Today. http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/legacy/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=91094.blog. Retrieved 23 October 2010. 
16. ^ ^{a b} Sloan, Gene (May 7, 2010). "Norwegian Epic fire prompts arson investigation". The Cruise Log. USA Today. http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/legacy/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=91581.blog. Retrieved 23 October 2010. 
17. ^ http://www.ncl.eu/pressroom/show_press.php?id=335
18. ^ http://www2.ncl.com/vacations?N=4294967080+4294967158&Ne=8&Ns=p_Itinerary_Featured%7C1%7C%7Cp_Itinerary_Featured_Weight%7C0%7C%7Cp_Duration%7C0&Nu=p_Key&latitudes=no&senior=no#tab_detail

External links

• NCL Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Epic Official Site
• STX France home page
• Norwegian Cruise Line Press Release