Courting the Courtyard passengers

It’s been a momentous few days for announcements from cruise companies, probably because it’s the SeaTrade convention in Florida this week.
Today’s big reveal came from Norwegian Cruise Lines, in a press conference which was broadcast live from Miami on the internet.
And now we know what’s going to be in that big bulge at the forward end of their new mega-liner, Norwegian Epic. It will contain 60 villas and suites, surrounding a private courtyard and pool, and with its own restaurants and lounge area for the exclusive use of guests paying top dollar.
The 46 Courtyard Villas each have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, six penthouses include a bedroom with separate living and dining areas, and eight ultra-deluxe owners’ suites feature wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows.
The guests will have private access to their own pool, two whirlpool baths, saunas, a sun deck, gym, indoor and outdoor dining, and the concierge lounge.
NCL, who have already announced the innovative designs for the New Wave cabins (that means they have curved walls) throughout the main passenger decks, have also come up with a new twist for inside cabins.
Some 128 of them, on decks 11 and 12, will be branded as Studios. Inside they may be, but they will each have a window . . . facing into the corridor.
At 100 square feet each, the cabins are not going to have much spare space, so the trick is that the bed will double as a settee during the day, and Studio passengers will have exclusive access to the Living Room, a two-floor lounge with a bar, room service, and two large TV screens.
Maybe the passengers will even find time to go out on deck and see the sea occasionally.