are you eager to sail with her?

b.Joe

[ 06-19-2010: Message edited by: buddhaJoe ]

We will, in 2 days.

But here is a link to the fabulous WPC webcam. To watch here live in Rotterdam.

Much more will follow as I still have plenty to do plus we will go check her at the terminal and we'll see her leave later today.

Monday we will see her inside.

She's different. But I absolutely do not think she is as ugly as some on this forum think. But ofcourse it's just a matter of taste.

I'm glad she came to Rotterdam and we can experience her.

[ 06-19-2010: Message edited by: Aad ]

Without question EPIC is an interesting looking ship. I've said this all along. Will she win any cruise ship beauty contests? Probably not, but I would still take her over many of the boring designs out there. Of course I'm the same person who started to find PRIDE OF AMERICA attractive after two cruises on her, and she "grew" on me.

Aad - I hope you are able to capture more of those really close up, detail shots of specific areas of the ship. Those are my favorites, and this ship has a lot of interesting detail to capture.

Ernie

[ 06-19-2010: Message edited by: eroller ]

It may just be an optical issue but if you look at the first of the pictures it looks as if she is dug in at the bow when she is underway at low speeds. I wonder if that is true and if it is due to the top weight over the bridge? If so she could be a real nightmare when it comes to maneuverability at low speeds.

There are about four cabins forward on Deck 9 that have amazing balconies. They are really double sized balconies, but they also have the glass rail instead of being closed in. Also, half the balcony is closed in, and half is open to the sun above. The best of both worlds. I love ships that have these disparities between standard cabins as it brings back the fun to cabin selection.

For 2010 these special cabins are grouped with other, more midship standard balcony cabins. For 2011 NCL got smart and re-catorized them as "large balcony" cabins. Even so, not all large balcony cabins are created equal. Most up front are a fully enclosed "hull hole" balcony. Those on the "edges" tend to be shaded although they have the glass rail. It's only those few up front that have it all. The open glass rail, double size balcony, and private shaded areas along with open areas to the sun.

Sign me up!

quote:

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Originally posted by SSTRAVELER:
It may just be an optical issue but if you look at the first of the pictures it looks as if she is dug in at the bow when she is underway at low speeds. I wonder if that is true and if it is due to the top weight over the bridge? If so she could be a real nightmare when it comes to maneuverability at low speeds.

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quote:

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Originally posted by SSTRAVELER:

It may just be an optical issue but if you look at the first of the pictures it looks as if she is dug in at the bow when she is underway at low speeds. I wonder if that is true and if it is due to the top weight over the bridge? If so she could be a real nightmare when it comes to maneuverability at low speeds.

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I think it's probably just an optical illusion. Although those decks appear to make the ship look very top heavy, they are essentially "hollow" spaces and very light compared to all the machinery and tanks aft.

This being said, the designers could have done a much better job incorporating these decks into the design of the ship. If you look at MSC FANTASIA, which EPIC is loosely based upon, you can see a much better integration of decks above the bridge. If NCL had just sloped them back gradually instead of jetting forward it would have made all the difference in the world. Of course this would have curtailed cabin space by making the decks shorter, and that would mean eating into revenue. EPIC without question is designed to maximize every inch of revenue producing space. There are virtually no curves to the ship.

Whether you like her looks or not, one thing is certain, she will stand out in a crowd!

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Originally posted by eroller:
This being said, the designers could have done a much better job incorporating these decks into the design of the ship. If you look at MSC FANTASIA, which EPIC is loosely based upon, you can see a much better integration of decks above the bridge. If NCL had just sloped them back gradually instead of jetting forward it would have made all the difference in the world. Of course this would have curtailed cabin space by making the decks shorter, and that would mean eating into revenue. EPIC without question is designed to maximize every inch of revenue producing space. There are virtually no curves to the ship.

Whether you like her looks or not, one thing is certain, she will stand out in a crowd!

Ernie

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:

I'm guesing the view out of those front top suites, with the straight floor to ceiling glass windows, is going to be incredible!

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Probably, but the tradeoff is there is no balcony. Pretty much people that book a suite these days expect a balcony. NCL has priced them the same as suites on the side and back that do have balconies. I'm not sure how that is working out for them? Too early to tell I would imagine. In the future we may see these forward facing suites re-catorized as a lower grade. I also hope that NCL and travel agents are making the people that booked these suites fully aware that there is no balcony. I have a concern that NCL will be getting feedback from passengers booked who expected these suites to have a balcony. Most people don't study pictures of the ship like us ship buffs, and the brochure and deck plan is a little confusing in this regard. The forward facing cabins show a little square on the deck plan that could be confused as a balcony. In fact it's the bathroom. That is the downfall of bunching all these suites together in the same category.

quote:

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Originally posted by eroller:

Probably, but the tradeoff is there is no balcony. Pretty much people that book a suite these days expect a balcony. NCL has priced them the same as suites on the side and back that do have balconies. I'm not sure how that is working out for them? Too early to tell I would imagine. In the future we may see these forward facing suites re-catorized as a lower grade. I also hope that NCL and travel agents are making the people that booked these suites fully aware that there is no balcony. I have a concern that NCL will be getting feedback from passengers booked who expected these suites to have a balcony. Most people don't study pictures of the ship like us ship buffs, and the brochure and deck plan is a little confusing in this regard. The forward facing cabins show a little square on the deck plan that could be confused as a balcony. In fact it's the bathroom. That is the downfall of bunching all these suites together in the same category.

Ernie

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:

The deck plans show a sectioned off portion as if there were? and the pics look like there are sliding glass windows?

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Yup, a sliding window but no actual balcony you can step out on in the traditional sense. NCL is calling it an "enclosed balcony with sliding glass doors". I think "sliding glass windows" would be more appropriate, as "door" makes it sound like something you can step out on. I think these cabins will be very interesting and can certainly sell at a premium, I just feel that perhaps they should be better differentiated from the cabins that have traditional balconies.

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
Ernie have you seen any actual pictures of the completed private Courtyard area yet?

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I haven't. In fact I haven't seen finished pictures of the main pool area, Spice H20, the gym & spa, Recess Kids Club, main lobby, corridors, stairwells, and The Marketplace (not even sure what that is), and the entire Courtyard complex (inside or out). I would also like to see better pictures of many of the interior lounges, especially Bliss and Cascades Bar.

There is also a blank space on the deck plan I've always been curious about. It's by the main pool. On the port side is the New Waves Pool bar, but on the starboard side the same space exists and it's not labeled as anything. It might just be a crew space, or it could be something else?

I would also like to see pics of The Great Outdoors. It's an interesting space because the walkway above stops at The Great Outdoors so I think it will be a uniquely defined space, kind of like a true outdoor cafe attached to The Garden Cafe. The Poolside Casino is unique as well, and I would like to see that. NCL is making it extra easy to part with your $$$. They have the poolside casino, and also the recently announced in-cabin gambling right on your cabin TV. You don't even have to leave your cabin to lose money! LOL

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
Ernie, maybe we should get a picture request list off to Aad?

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Absolutely. His pics are really stunning. They really show off the all the detail of the ship. They are the best I've seen.

I would also love it if he took some close up pictures between the lifeboats, midship, so we would have a better idea what the promenade looks like. I already know it's enclosed by boats like on OASIS and SOLSTICE, but I'm wondering how wide it is and if it's more finished looking, or really just a working space.

Ernie

[ 06-19-2010: Message edited by: eroller ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Aad:
I know my pictures are not art but here are a few I took this morning

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This is a great shot of the stern. The question though is:
the last full row of cabins is Deck 13 which I will be on.

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
Heres an aerial webcam grab from http://www.virtualvisit.nl/webcam/index.htm and you can see some of the outdoor areas you mentioned but not in great detail>

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Thanks. The Great Outdoors looks really nice.

I'm also very interested in The Spa. It's absolutely huge, and it has very large aft facing open balconies (not shown on the deck plan or any renderings). To my knowledge, only Disney has outdoor treatment rooms in their spa, but I think EPIC will as well.

On the original deck plan there was a Squash Court in the Fitness Center, but I don't see that listed anymore. There were also steam rooms listed in the Courtyard area, but on the latest deck plan those are missing as well.

Another interesting thing about the Spa is on the Starboard Side, just aft of the last cabin balconies. The windows are different, so it appears this is an outdoor area, yet enclosed by a wind screen. On the deck plan there is no indication what might be there. Another mystery.