Norwegian Epic
Record size Norwegian Cruise Line ship on track for summer debut.
by Gene Sloan for USA Today
Norwegian Cruise Line's largest ship ever, the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, is on track for a summer debut after completing its first sea trials over the weekend with flying colors.
That's the word from Norwegian Cruise Line President and Chief Operating Officer Roberto Martinoli, who spoke with USA TODAY just moments after disembarking the ship late Sunday at the shipyard in France where it is under construction.
"Everybody is smiling, and everybody is very happy, as the trials went very, very well," Martinoli tells USA TODAY in an exclusive interview.
Martinoli says Epic performed swimmingly on everything from navigation and propulsion measures to vibration and noise. There were no particular issues, he says.
Bigger than all but a handful of Royal Caribbean ships, the 153,000-ton Epic is a new prototype for NCL that is more than 60% larger than the line's existing vessels. It will dwarf the biggest ships operated by rivals such as Carnival, Princess and Celebrity.
"Every time you do a prototype you have a risk of the unknown," notes Martinoli, a longtime veteran of the industry. But "we've verified that there is nothing to worry about."
Epic is being built at the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and about 300 of the yard's technicians, as well as about 30 people from Norwegian Cruise Line, sailed on the vessel during the sea trials. It was the first time the ship confronted the open ocean.
Martinoli says they tested the ship at maximum speed, and it slightly surpassed the 23.5 knots the line had specified in its contract with the yard. A final speed trial will take place in April. The ship is scheduled to be completed in June.
"We did well at speed, (and) we did very well in terms of sea-keeping, although the sea was very calm," says Martinoli. "Also the way the ship maneuvers is incredible."
As is customary before sea trials, areas under construction on the ship were cleaned up and interior scaffolding was removed, and Martinoli says it was a thrill to get a glimpse of the huge spaces on the vessel uncluttered. "You can really start seeing all of the volumes," he says. "All the (public) rooms are very well connected together, (and) I think people will love it."
The soaring, 19-deck giant will be second only to Royal Caribbean's just-unveiled, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas in its capacity for passengers. It'll boast more than a dozen eateries, big name entertainment such as performances by the Blue Man Group and adults-only, Vegas-style night spots. (some of which come with a cover charge).
A final sea trial for the ship will take place in April, but given the results of this weekend's tests, it's "more of a formality," says Martinoli.