Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that Norwegian Epic, the line’s award-winning ship, will home port year-round in Barcelona, Spain starting April 30, 2015. Named “Best Overall Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly two years in a row, the 4.100-passenger Norwegian Epic will be the largest Norwegian Cruise Line ship to ever home port in Europe year-round.
“We are excited to announce that our largest ship, Norwegian Epic, will homeport in Europe year-round in 2015,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s President and CEO. “Norwegian Epic’s innovative accommodation, world-class entertainment and plethora of dining options are the perfect complement to the European cruise market, one of the most dynamic cruise markets in the world.”
Throughout 2015, Norwegian Epic will offer a variety of exciting European itineraries offering guests the opportunity to experience why Norwegian was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” six years in a row by the World Travel Awards. In addition, guests on board Norwegian Epic can experience the best of Freestyle Cruising®, which gives guests more choices in dining, accommodations, and world-class entertainment, in a relaxed atmosphere. Freestyle Cruising® also gives guests cruising through Europe the flexibility to stay ashore longer giving them more time to explore all that Europe has to offer.
While cruising throughout Europe, guests can discover why Norwegian Epic was named “Best Ship for Sea Days in 2012” by Cruise Critic, as they experience the ship’s array of recreational activities from the expansive Aqua Park, featuring three waterslides and the largest bowl slide on water, the Epic Plunge, to the abseiling wall, rock climbing wall, bowling alley, and pampering Mandara Spa, one of the largest spas at sea.
Foodies cruising through Europe on board Norwegian Epic will delight in the ship’s more than 20 different dining options. Steak lovers can feast on steakhouse favourites, including Certified Angus Beef in Cagney’s, the line’s signature steakhouse. Moderno Churrascaria, Norwegian’s Brazilian-style steakhouse offers guests the opportunity to sample succulent grilled and slow-roasted meats carved tableside by passadors in addition to Moderno’s expansive salad bar. Norwegian Epic’s Chinese Noodle Bar offers counter seating around an open kitchen and serves traditional Chinese noodles, wok-fried dishes and dim sum. For American Favourites and comfort food, guests can take a seat in O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. Additional dining options include Teppanyaki, a Japanese hibachi-style restaurant; Sushi Bar; Garden Café, the ship’s action station buffet-style restaurant; The Manhattan Room, an art deco inspired supper club; La Cucina, Norwegian’s home style Italian restaurant; Le Bistro, Norwegian’s signature French restaurant; and more. Norwegian Epic also boasts 20 unique bars and lounges, including the SVEDKA/Inniskillin Ice Bar, which was the first-ever true ice bar at sea.
When it comes to accommodation, Norwegian Epic offers a range of innovative accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. For guests looking for the ultimate in luxury, the ship features The Haven by Norwegian, Norwegian’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship suite complex comprised of 60 suites and villas on two private decks located on top of the ship. Norwegian Epic was the first ship to offer the award-winning Studio staterooms designed and priced exclusively for solo travellers, giving guests the opportunity to cruise solo throughout Europe. Plus, Norwegian Epic also offers a wide variety of comfortable balcony and inside stateroom options and family-friendly accommodations including multi-room Suites, interconnecting staterooms and two-bedroom Family Suites.
Norwegian Epic’s 2015 European Itineraries are scheduled to be announced mid-March.
