Norwegian Cruise Line unveils new concept in cabins

mercedes · March 19, 2009

Norwegian Cruise Line Wednesday unveiled a new concept in cabin design: A cluster of interior cabins built around a communal living area.

The line says the new class of accommodations, dubbed The Studios, will be a key element of its next ship, the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic. There will be 128 of the cabins in all built around the communal, two-story area called the Living Room.

"It's kind of like a ship-within-a-ship for the budget-conscious traveler," says NCL executive Andy Stuart, who spoke at a press conference at the annual Cruise Shipping Miami convention -- the industry's largest get-together.

Stuart noted the Epic also would have 560 standard inside cabins not built around a communal living room, giving customers multiple options. "The Studios will be priced around the same as a standard inside cabin, so what we’re giving the budget-conscious traveler are two real choices in budget accommodations."

While small at just 100 square feet, the Studios will be ultra-modern in design and feature large, round windows that looks out into the corridor and customizable color changing light effects. The exclusive, key card-accessed Living Room will offer passengers in the Studio cabins a place to unwind, with comfortable seating, a bar, two large TV screens and a dedicated concierge.

Scheduled to debut in May, 2010, the 153,000-ton Norwegian Epic will be one of the largest cruise ships ever built and by far the largest ever designed for NCL.

NCL also unveiled plans for several other cabin areas on Epic today, including:

-- Courtyard Villas. In what NCL bills as the biggest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, the Epic will have 60 "Courtyard" suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship. Passengers in the suites will have exclusive access to a Courtyard Villa complex featuring a pool, two whirlpools, gym, saunas, sun deck, indoor/outdoor dining, bar/nightclub and concierge lounge. The concept is a greatly expanded version of what exists on NCL's Jewel class ships.

-- Spa cabins. The Epic will mark NCL's first foray into spa cabins, a hot trend in the industry. NCL says the Epic will have 39 spa-focused cabins in all that, as on other ships that have rolled out the concept, will be built around the ship's spa. Passengers in the cabins will have exclusive 24-hour access to the spa thermal suite and fitness center. Eight of the suites will have private, in-room spa whirlpools.

NCL also announced at the press conference that it would open the ship today to group bookings by travel agents. Individual travelers will be able to make bookings starting in mid-April.

The line says it will reveal several more innovative features that it plans for the ship in April and May.