The two new cruise ships which Norwegian Cruise Line has ordered from the Meyer-Werft yard at Papenburg – which this weekend floated out Disney Dream – are still in the planning stage.
But an interview which CEO Kevin Sheehan has given to the US edition of Travel Weekly has provided some clues to what we can expect from the ships, which will together cost about £1 billion.
We know they will be 143,5000-tons each and will carry 4,000 passengers – slightly smaller than the 153,000-ton Norwegian Epic which launched this summer.
The new vessels, as yet un-named, are likely to have the solo cabins which have proved such a success on Epic. “That’s a strategy that makes sense.
[Singles are] an under-served group of people, and our brand meets that need. We care about that group of travellers,” said Sheehan.
Epic has 128 cabins for singles, with their own lounge and bar. A group of British passengers introduced to each other by www.cruisematesanddates.com will be travelling in the cabins this Christmas and I am looking forward to hearing about their experience.
One innovation from Epic which looks unlikely to be continued on the new vessels is the see-through lavatory units and separate shower rooms which proved a leap too far for some passengers. The future of the “wave” cabins is also unclear.
Sheehan said: “We have some learnings from the Epic. It is a fantastic ship, but we have some learnings and will build on that knowledge.” The “wave” cabins apparently “fall into the learnings category.”
More details will emerge in the next few months, and Sheehan promises his new ships will have more of the “Wow factor” which Epic brought.
Epic has 128 cabins for singles, with their own lounge and bar. A group of British passengers introduced to each other by www.cruisematesanddates.com will be travelling in the cabins this Christmas and I am looking forward to hearing about their experience.
One innovation from Epic which looks unlikely to be continued on the new vessels is the see-through lavatory units and separate shower rooms which proved a leap too far for some passengers. The future of the “wave” cabins is also unclear.
Sheehan said: “We have some learnings from the Epic. It is a fantastic ship, but we have some learnings and will build on that knowledge.” The “wave” cabins apparently “fall into the learnings category.”
More details will emerge in the next few months, and Sheehan promises his new ships will have more of the “Wow factor” which Epic brought.
Norwegian Epic studio concept is a great idea for cruisers. But Living room – a common area for studios cruisers – that is brilliant! Being independent traveler, I know how hard it might be to find others alike to share activities on board, and NCL Epic new idea makes it so much easier to meet and communicate with other solo cruisers! Living Room’s hostess organized some activities like dinners, shore excursions and even a private show of comedy magician!