Norwegian Cruise Line opens waitlist for first sailing of Norwegian Epic

mercedes · August 25, 2009

Want to be on the first revenue sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line's much-ballyhooed Norwegian Epic?

The line says it will begin taking names today for a waitlist to book the 153,000-ton vessel's crossing next summer from Europe, where it is under construction, to its new home in the Caribbean.

Passengers on the waitlist will have first priority to make a booking on the trans-Atlantic voyage after the sailing date, itinerary and pricing are announced. The line says passengers should call their travel agent or NCL directly (at 866-234-7350) to be put on the waitlist.

NCL already has begun taking bookings for the ship's inaugural season in the Caribbean, which begins on July 17. The ship will sail seven-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami.

Bigger than all but a handful of Royal Caribbean ships, the massive vessel will be more than 60% larger than the largest NCL ship currently at sea and dwarf the biggest vessels operated by such big-ship lines as Carnival, Princess and Celebrity.

With room for 4,200 passengers at double occupancy -- more when third and fourth berths in cabins are taken into account -- the soaring, 19-deck giant will be second only to Royal Caribbean's soon-to-debut, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas in capacity. It'll boast such groundbreaking features as cabins with curved walls and adults-only, Vegas-style nightspots that come with a cover charge.

The Epic's Eastern Caribbean voyages will call in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship’s Western Caribbean itinerary has stops in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

tc1 · August 25, 2009

Hi Mercedes; I went on waitlist last night through my NCL agent. Doesn't cost anything until they announce pricing date etc. It would be interesting to be the test case for their service , food etc. plus always wanted to do a trans Atlantic crossing. Hope they don't get crazy with pricing.

Currently booked on Inaugural cruise for my daughters 13th Bday celebration.

Sam