Norwegian Epic’s Final Reveal

…is currently underway in NYC. Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE 4:31: Today’s event is focused around the entertainment offered onboard.

UPDATE 5:06: So far revealed is a big casino with bars above it and the atrium dining below it. A jazz club, comedy club as well. Hinted at (so just a rumor at this point) Cirque du Sole and also rumored Blue Man Group!!

UPDATE 5:16: So now its confirmed, Blue Man Group will be onboard the Epic!!!! Also these:

UPDATE 6:22: Apparently, the Blue Man Group made NCL’s CEO Kevin Sheehan part of the act.

UPDATE 6:28: Blue Man Group took over NCL’s Epic site!

UPDATE 6:28: Cirque Dreams info here.

New Norwegian Epic Photos #2

Bridge Section

The Norwegian Epic’s Bridge arrives at the building dock. Cruise Ships are built in large sections; like Legos.

Bridge in the Air

In order to lift these big pieces, the yards lift them with big A-frame cranes.

Bridge Meets Epic

The bridge is now lowered into place.

Bridge Fitted on to Ship

After setting the section down, the piece is welded in place.

Propeller

The brass propeller arrives at the yard.

Port Propeller on Lift

Due to the tapered nature of the hull, they cannot use cranes. Instead they use lifts, to position the propeller into place at the end of the shaft.

Starboard Propeller Getting fitted

After the port(left) propeller is bolted into place, they do the same for the starboard(right). It is to be noted that the Norwegian Epic will utilize the old fashioned shaft-and-prop propulsion, instead of the new diesel-electric ‘podded’ propulsion. Podded propulsion has proven to be troublesome on the reliability front.

photos from: Mer et Marine

Swine Flu update for 4/29

Royal Caribbean’s are set in stone. Carnival will announce the overhauled itinerary for the Splendor later today. Here are some other itinerary changes:

• Holland America. HAL may announce alternate ports later today.
  • Ryndam – San Diego, Los Angeles, Catalina Island, CA and  Victoria, BC, Canada, will replace the Mexican ports.
  • Statendam – Days at sea will replace the Mexican ports.
  • Westerdam – Days at sea will replace the Mexican ports.
  • Zuiderdam – Days at sea will replace the Mexican ports.
  • Veendam – Days at sea will replace the Mexican ports.
• Disney
  • Disney Magic – Cozumel is replaced with Nassau.
• Princess. More info will be available later today.
  • Sapphire Princess – Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas are replaced with San Diego and Catalina.
• NCL
  • Norwegian Pearl – will remain at sea instead of calling on Acapulco and Cabo.

UPDATE 6:22: According to several sources, the new route for Sapphire Princess is

May 3 – Santa Barbara

May 4 – San Diego

May 5 – Ensenada (service call only for PVSA)

May 7 – San Francisco

Norwegian Epic Close-up

 

Source: Shipspotting.com (Photo by Gilbert Cailler)

Norwegian Epic Cabin Layouts

Digging around the Epics site and looking at the code, I was able to get larger layout’s of the cabins. ENJOY!