I’m beginning to wonder whether there’s a hex over construction the the Norwegian Epic, NCL’s biggest cruise ship which is due to be completed in June.
Latest news from the STX yard in St Nazaire, France, where the 153,000-ton vessel is nearing completion, is that fire broke out in a provisioning area on Deck 4 late on Monday evening. It is reported that damage was confined to wiring and the blaze was prevented from spreading. The handover date of June 15 has not been affected.
The fire is the latest in a series of mishaps, and I reported last month that one of the ship’s six diesel engines would have to be replaced, following a catastrophic failure during the first sea trials.
Those with longer memories will recall that the entire project – originally to build two identical 4,2000-passenger ships – almost came to grief over financing, and at one stage NCL considered pulling out of the deal entirely. Even now, it is believed the shipyard will make a loss on the construction project.
When work is finished, Epic will spend two days in Southampton being shown off to travel agents and press before setting off across the Atlantic to New York, where it will play host to Macy’s spectacular 4th of July fireworks display.
What a shame – I have just read this story first at http://www.cruises.co.uk – not many seem to have heard about it yet, so thank you for your article. It does make you wonder whether the ship that it supposed to be so new and innovative is perhaps just a little too ambitious. Perhaps the more the new ship tries to achieve, the more there is to go wrong. I really hope she isn’t doomed from the start
well i guess if it had to happen, better in the yard than with folks at sea.