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                        AN EPIC INAUGURAL

            On July 2, 2010, after the Norwegian Epic disembarked the passengers who had taken the initial trans-Atlantic crossing, 1,500 travel agents and 100 representatives from the media boarded ship for a two-day inaugural celebration. All of the numerous dining and entertainment venues were available for sampling; and, drinks were complementary throughout the ship. (House brands only).

            The highlight of the occasion was the unique Christening festivities. Rather than the usual ceremony, where guests sit outside on uncomfortable benches and sweat while some starlet or dignitary attempts to waste a good bottle of the bubbly by smashing it against the ship, the event was held in the ship’s theater. Since the theater was not large enough to accommodate the total assemblage, the production was televised throughout the various public venues on the ship.

            Comedian, Jeff Garlin (best known for the American TV show “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) acted as master of ceremonies, adding a bit of levity to this major public relations dog and pony show. To assure that the spectators would be happy campers, wine, beer, rum punch and Champagne were disseminated throughout the event. Following several speeches by cruise line big-wigs, including CEO, Kevin Sheehan, a cleverly orchestrated movie was shown which displayed and explained all of the ship’s entertainment and dining venues. Next up was a series of short performances by the major shipboard entertainers, including The Blue Man Group, the Second City Improv comedy team, the Dueling Pianists, the Nickelodeon Stars, Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob, and the Legends assemblage of impersonators of Elvis, Madonna, and Tina Turner.

            For the finale, the well-known country-music star, Reba McEntire, as Godmother, pressed a digital Champagne bottle on the big movie screen in the theater triggering a video of a Champagne bottle smashing against the ship’s hull. The ships was now officially Baptized. Although this was a unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience, and terrific public relations indoctrination, all the booze put some of the audience asleep.

            The balance of this two-day cruise to nowhere was jam-packed with entertainments, seminars and dining. Passengers attempted to experience all that the ship was offering in a rather limited time frame. I was traveling with the media group and our first dinner experience was at the Spiegel Tent. Here the “Cirque Dreams” performance went on non-stop during an institutional dinner service. The show was a combination of Moulin Rouge burlesque-style humor, acrobats, jugglers and avant-guard nonsense. Half-way through the show, my companion and I, as well as several others, left and opted to try Le Bistro, the specialty French restaurant offering traditional bistro-style French fare.

            The following evening, our media group dined at the Teppanyaki restaurant a very large, Benihana-style dining room with multiple sections where skilled chefs (Filipino and not Japanese) entertained us while preparing our dinner. I regret not having enough time to sample Cagney’s Steakhouse and the Manhattan Dining Room, a supper club with music, dancing and entertainment. After dinner, we had reservations to watch the Blue Man Group performance. The audience seemed ecstatic; personally, I didn’t get it. 

            The most widely discussed features on the ship were the bathrooms in the “new wave” cabins and the Svedka Ice Bar. The bathrooms, 360 degrees from the ordinary, were admired by some and hated by others.  They are difficult to describe, but basically you walk into your cabin and on one side is a small toilet compartment with a semi-transparent door, and on the opposite side, a very spacious-glassed-in shower. As you proceeded into the cabin, you encountered the vanity which was composed of a small, modern-style sink and exceptional storage, but totally visible throughout the rest of the cabin. The objections include the fact that you could see your room-mate’s profile while he or she is using the facilities or showering, and the small sink could not contain the water which often splashed onto the floor.

            The Swedka Ice Bar was quite unique. Here, 25 guests, at $20 a head, donned Parkas in order to survive a half hour in this arctic ice bar, a totally iced-in room modeled after similar bars in Scandinavia. The price included two “signature cocktails” either alcoholic or non-alcoholic for the youngsters.

            After the travel agents and media completed their two day visit, the ship hosted the Macys’ Fourth of July fireworks spectacular.

            All in all, I believe that NCL admirably presented its newest ships lavishly entertaining those who it depends upon to sell its product.

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