Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that Norwegian Epic, its most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, will feature the largest spa facility and fitness center at sea, totaling more than 31,000 square feet.

The ship’s luxurious Mandara Spa will feature 24 treatment rooms, two private couple’s villas, two exotic steam Rasul rooms, a DIY Scrub Experience, Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite, full-service salon, fitness center and barber shop.

In another first for the line, Norwegian Epic features 39 spa suites, deluxe balcony and balcony staterooms, which are accessed via private key-card and offer complimentary access to the enclave surrounding Norwegian Epic’s luxurious Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite and state-of-the-art fitness center. For an added indulgence, eight spa suites each feature an in-room whirlpool.

“As with our world-class entertainment, dining and innovative stateroom categories on Norwegian Epic, our spa facilities will take cruising to an entirely new level,” said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The Mandara Spa on Norwegian Epic is a relaxing retreat with unique treatments, innovative fitness training, a stand-alone barber shop, spa staterooms with in-room whirlpools and an expanded Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite facilities.”

The spa features more than 50 treatments for both men and women including Elemis facials, massages, body therapies, bliss® face and body treatments, and acupuncture along with cosmetic medical treatments performed by a licensed doctor. The salon features hair, nail and waxing services. In addition, kids and teens can choose from a selection of kid-friendly spa services.

Among the two dozen treatment rooms are two new couple’s villas for the ultimate in togetherness massages with the opportunity to soak in a private, outdoor whirlpool. Two solo villas also have outdoor whirlpools, and six treatment rooms have balconies with chaise lounges where guests can relax privately outdoors before or after their treatment.

Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite -

Expanding on the popular Thermal Suite on board the line’s Jewel class ships, Norwegian Epic’s adults-only Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite features separate men’s and women’s areas equipped with sauna, aromatherapy steam, experience showers and heated ceramic loungers. In addition, the Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite features a tropical garden communal setting, chaise lounge seating, a pool with massaging jets and waterfalls, a whirlpool and an outdoor relaxation deck.

Exotic Steam Rasul Rooms

Guests looking for a unique body renewing experience should indulge in one of the two Rasul rooms. This is a purpose-built steam room that soothes and detoxifies the body, while guests are provided with organic muds, exfoliants and oils to purify and nourish the body. To complete the ritual, a warm tropical rain pours down from the dome of the rasul to wash away tension.

DIY Scrub Experience

Epic’s onboard spa mixologist creates personalized sugar or salt exfoliating scrubs using herbal blends to use during treatments or within the Rasul rooms. Each flavorful blend soothes sore muscles, removes dead skin and reveals a smoother, more polished glow.

Epic Signature Spa Treatments

Among the new spa treatments and services that will be introduced on board Norwegian Epic is the signature Epic 24 Karat Gold Facial. This luxurious facial includes a blend of medicinal plants, rose quartz and a pure 24 karat gold leaf mask that brings about miraculous results speeding up cell renewal while evoking a brighter and more clarified skin texture and complexion.

Norwegian Epic will also feature two bliss® services: the bliss® triple oxygen treatment and the bliss® fatgirlslim. The bliss® triple oxygen treatment is an all-around complexion reviver that includes a cleansing and exfoliating fruit acid wash, an oxygen wrap, a calming oxygen and milk mask, a hydrating enzyme pack and a vitaminized oxygen spray. The bliss® fatgirlslim is a detoxifying, circulation-stimulating, body-toning treatment that includes dry brushing, a firming grapefruit essential oil, a trouble-spot-targeting seaweed mask, a heated wrap and a rubdown.

Norwegian Epic will also offer three new massages:

The Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, the Bamboo Massage and the Freestyle™ Massage.
•Thai Herbal Poultice Massage: This energizing, rhythmic massage utilizes scented herbal poultices that are heated and applied to the body at pressure points to relax the muscles and release tension. The therapist then follows with an array of Eastern and Western massage techniques and acupressure movements combined with essential oils that take the body on an exotic journey of total renewal.
•Bamboo Massage: A warm, soothing massage using bamboo shoots of various sizes soaked in essential oil which then roll, slide and massage muscles. This indulgent massage revives the senses in a new and innovative way, inspiring the most relaxed state. Customized to the guest’s preference, the therapist uses deep tissue techniques or gentle strokes to melt away tension and soothe muscles.
• Freestyle™ Massage: A customized massage that lets the guest choose what areas to focus on during the treatment.

In the Medi-Spa, guests can have their teeth whitened or try acupuncture. A licensed medi-spa doctor is also onboard to provide BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport™, Restylane® and Perlane® treatments.
In keeping with the extensive family and kid-friendly facilities on board Norwegian Epic, the spa offers several treatments for younger cruisers.

The signature ME! Bath® Ice Cream Manicure and Pedicure gives kids and teens the inside scoop on their beauty regimen. The ME! Bath® Ice Cream Social is a fun group activity that will have kids all screaming for ice cream. The Mother-Daughter Paradise Massage and the Father-Son Chill Out Massage allow for the ultimate in relaxation and bonding time for both parent and child.

Fitness Center

Fitness enthusiasts won’t need to put their workout routines on hold while vacationing on Norwegian Epic. The ship has many firsts that take sports and fitness to a new level: the first rappelling wall at sea and the only U.S. rated climbing wall afloat.

The fitness center features an unprecedented 37 treadmills and 18 cross trainers, extensive weight equipment and free weight areas, stretching areas and four distinct aerobic studios. For those who enjoy group settings, Norwegian Epic has more diverse fitness classes than any other ship at sea, including TRX and kettlebell training; yoga; pilates; Activio® group cycling; Gravity® reformer; and body sculpting boot camp classes. Personal training sessions will also be available, along with nutritional consultation and metabolism testing.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that its largest, most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, will feature an extensive number of complimentary Freestyle dining options – 11 out of 21 total – that are included in the cruise fare. The additional 10 dining options will have a nominal cover charge.

Guests on board Norwegian Epic can select from a variety of cuisines, dining styles and atmospheres on board with a total of 21 dining options. Those that will be free of charge are:

• Taste, the atrium restaurant serving traditional and contemporary cuisine;
• Manhattan Room, reminiscent of an elegant supper club complete with music, dancing and entertainment;
• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, serving American favorites and comfort food, 24 hours;
• Garden Café, Norwegian’s signature action station casual restaurant;
• Great Outdoors, the pool-side grill;
• Spice H20, serving Latin and Asian-influenced cuisine in the adults-only complex;
• Atrium Cafe and Wine Bar;
• Studio Lounge, serving snacks and light fare;
• Epic Club, the elegant, exclusive eatery available to Norwegian Epic’s Suite and Villa guests;
• Courtyard Grill, the more casual, outdoor area of the Epic Grill, open for breakfast and lunch; and
• 24-hour room service.

“It’s important for our guests to know that Freestyle Cruising on Norwegian Epic will offer the ultimate in freedom and flexibility, especially when it comes to dining,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “With that flexibility comes a wide-range of complimentary dining venues and options.”
In addition, Norwegian also announced the cover charges for Norwegian Epic’s specialty dining/entertainment venues:

• La Cucina, Tuscan-style eatery serving regional Italian specialties, $10 per person;
• Cirque Dreams & Dinner, two shows nightly including a three-course meal, $15 for general seating/$20 per person for preferred seating;
• Shanghai’s, Norwegian Epic’s new Chinese restaurant serving a delicious mix of Chinese dishes and noodle bar specialties, $15 per person;
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, a la carte pricing;
• Wasabi, expansive sushi and sake bar, a la carte pricing;
• Le Bistro, Norwegian’s elegant bistro serving classic French cuisine with an American flair, $20 per person;
• Moderno Churrascaria, expansive salad bar and choice of a variety of meats served by tableside passadors, $18 per person;
• Cagney’s Steakhouse, the line’s signature American steakhouse, $25 per person;
• Teppanyaki, the largest signature Japanese experiential restaurant at sea, $25 per person; and
• Pizza delivery, $5, available 24 hours around the ship.

“With our specialty restaurants, some guests may choose to dine in one of these venues just once or twice during their cruise to celebrate a special occasion,” added Kevin Sheehan. “At the same time, others may want to sample a different specialty restaurant each evening to experience a new type of cuisine. That’s the great thing about Freestyle Cruising – the choice is up to our guests to decide how they want to customize their trip.”

What the heck is flying over Oasis of the Seas as it undergoes its first sea trials? Would you believe a blimp? Well, it’s not exactly a blimp, but according to Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean’s chairman and ceo it is called an aerostat.

In his Oasis of the Sea Chairman’s blog, Fain said the aerostat is being tested as one of the “weird and wonderful” ideas dreamed up by the company’s creative team. He dubbed the aerostat “interesting” and one of many ideas being floated (pardon the pun) for the world’s biggest cruise liner.

Fain admitted that the aerostat has less than a 50 percent chance of being used on the ship. ‘If we don’t use it on the ship, I will consider it just another of the many ideas our people develop that didn’t work. On the other hand, if it is successful and we do decide to use it on the ship, I will consider it another of my better ideas.” Mr. Fain’s flying fantasy said the company decided to be upfront with the test projects because they want to stop Internet rumors.

There has been a lot of buzz in European shipyards the past two weeks about a dispute between Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Aker Yards S.A. of France regarding NCL’s order for the first of two F3 vessels. The 150,000-ton, 4,200-berth ships are the biggest ever commissioned by NCL. The first F3 ship is scheduled for delivery in March 2010, the second ship is scheduled to arrive in summer 2010.

The keel for the first F3 ship was laid on April 24 and sources told cruise industry publication Seatrade that “the first F3 newbuild is not going ahead.” Seatrade spoke with Aker Yards corporate spokesman Torbjørn Andersen who stated that he would not comment on legal issues and the company is continuing discussions with all its clients, including NCL.

NCL issued the following statement to Expert Cruiser.com: “NCL Corporation Ltd., in response to reports that one of its subsidiaries may be involved in a contractual dispute with Aker Yards S.A. of France regarding a shipbuilding contract, will not comment on commercial or legal disputes.”

So, what’s going on?

NCL is jointly owned by Star Cruises and private equity firm Apollo Management. Apollo infused $1 billion in cash to NCL in January, so, there should be plenty of money for the F3 ship, right? Maybe not.

For the past two years NCL has been in the red. Despite significant growth in revenues the company lost $227 million in 2007 and $130.9 million in 2006. The biggest financial drain has been taking delivery of new ships, which NCL has done each year for the past seven years. However, the F3 project is turning out to be the ultimate expense.

The F3 ships were initially ordered for NCL’s parent company, Star Cruises each at a cost of $735 million Euros (close to $1 billion) per ship, but the costs have reportedly increased significantly. NCL opted to change the original vessel plans and make it an all-balcony ship with “New Wave” staterooms . Additionally, NCL announced with much fanfare in Las Vegas that it would introduce a radical nightclub scene on the F3 ships complete with pools and ice bars.

Clearly, these options are very costly. How costly no one is saying but sources say that increasing costs are the crux of the dispute between NCL and Aker Yards.

What will happen to the F3 ships if NCL does not take delivery? In today’s issue of Cruise Week it was noted that Aker Yards also builds ships for Royal Caribbean and MSC and both lines seem to be “likely
contenders to take over the F3 project.”

Stay tuned for more information.