Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...She's the next in a fine line for Cunard, and today (April 19), Queen Anne officially joined the luxury cruise line's iconic fleet during a historic handover ceremony in Italy. Cunard took ownership of their stunning 3,000-guest ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice where master shipbuilders have been constructing the...
Latest News...Princess Cruises and ship builder Fincantieri today announced the mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the next Sphere Class ship, Star Princess. Following a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones, both parties have elected to adjust the ship's delivery date from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025, which will result in the cancellation of the nine...
Latest News...Seabourn announced this week that the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit, the line's newest ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition ship. >Seabourn is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. The naming of Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit serves as a symbolic gesture...
Picture 1Picture 2
quote:Originally posted by Arison 59:This ship is so repulsive. I cant stand to look at it. I always wonder why NCL would build such an ugly ship. Dont get me wrong there are alot of places to eat and drink but this ship very ugly. Id rather go on an elegant ship like Oasis or Dream. Com'on NCL WHY!!!
I actually think it looks quite good, not only from the artist impressions to the real thing. Looks even better in the interiors (mind you they are still artist impressions right now). I think it is important to realize that while some of us don't like this ship or that ship, someone else might. And it doesnt really matter in the end, if we all hate it, what matters to the cruise line is how many bookings are being made by the general public. And to set the record straight, Maasdam, I work as a cruise specialist for a Travel Wholesaler and don't get paid by NCL. I just happen to be a big fan of NCL.
With that out of the way, I remember standing on the docks in Miami with my father in the summer of '84 (I think) and a few exec from RCCL, in dock at the time were the Norway, the Skyard and The song of Norway (I think, it's early here and that was 25 years ago), we had just come from having lunch on the Song of Norway, my father and the exec were discussing the ships in ports and the looks.
Of course everyone loved the Song Of Norway and The Norway, but the Skyward was being described as ugly, the funny hump at the front was getting ridiculed. The very next week we were sailing on her, of course I went straight up to the top deck to see what was in the hump, turned out to be an open air lounge, a bar and a ping pong table.
Fast forward to today, do we still think she or her sister ships are ugly ugly?
Anyways, my point, while the Epic may be ugly to some today, will her looks grow on us ?
I'm not certain, but we are sure going to find out.
Strangely I can't see the 'carbuncle' anymore, it's become invisible to me. I like the twin funnels
There are parts of the ship that are sleek and attractive (the bow and slope of the decks above the bow), and others that look awkward (the funnel size and square base seems strange). The carbuncle does more to harm Epic's looks than anything, but will create an amazing enclave for its guests.
I think the Epic's aesthetics are superior to Princess' Grand Class ships, or MSC's Lirica class. I also feel that Celebrity's Centruy class was well disguised by its paint job. Century, Galxy and Mercury are more interesting designs than attractive.
Truly ugly ships include:- RCCL's Viking Serenade- NCL's Pride of America- MSC's Melody (formerly Home Line's Atlantic)- Carnival Holiday, Jubilee and Celebration- P&O Ventura- Carnival's Fantasy class is on the tottering edge
At least EPIC is not another Vista, Grand, or Destiny and that is saying something!
Ernie
Aerial picture #1
Aerial picture #2
[ 06-17-2009: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]
I've grown so used to see the renderings that it really doesn't bother me much anymore. It is a very tall ship above the bow line though.
quote:Originally posted by Dutch:Another cruise site (can I say that?) has posted images of Epic with her top deck superstructure completed and in place.
Not great looking funnels but they do loosely mimic the split funnel design of NCL's first white ships... Sunward, Skyward, Starward, Southward.
Epic's funnels are better proportioned to the ship than the Solstice class.
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:A couple of large aerials of the N.Epic under construction, both taken before her stacks were put on:Aerial picture #1Aerial picture #2[ 06-17-2009: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]
Am I missing something or does that pool deck only have two pools? Is there a second level that has other pools?
On a side note, what shipyard is this? I know it's part of STX (formerly aker), but which location. That dry dock is huge, they could probably build an Oasis and a Radiance tail to tail in there. The only thing is the width. Maybe it's the angle but it looks like it dwarfs Finland.
quote:Originally posted by DEIx15x8:Am I missing something or does that pool deck only have two pools? Is there a second level that has other pools?On a side note, what shipyard is this? I know it's part of STX (formerly aker), but which location. That dry dock is huge, they could probably build an Oasis and a Radiance tail to tail in there. The only thing is the width. Maybe it's the angle but it looks like it dwarfs Finland.
Maybe this artist depiction might help? I think its in the same shipyrad that built the QM2? Saint Nazaire, France.
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1: I think its in the same shipyrad that built the QM2? Saint Nazaire, France.
I think its in the same shipyrad that built the QM2? Saint Nazaire, France.
It is.
It also has the 3 waterpark slides and an indoor hydotherapy pool in the spa complex.
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...