July 1, 2010 On a beautiful, clear, cool, Thursday New York morning, the Norwegian Epic gracefully sailed into New Harbor. At 7:40 AM, she squeezed underneath the Verrazano Bridge. Between 8:15 and 8:30 AM, she was near the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park, docking at pier 88 in Midtown at 10:00 AM. Her gleaming white paint, glistened in the sunshine.

Missing from her arrival was any type of Fanfare. Missing were any type of escort boats, fireboats or ships whistle. There were a number of harbor ferries which modified their route by sailing closer  to get a good look then went on their way.

In Battery Park, people walking to work, stopped in the their tracks to see the ship sail by. In the age of cell phone, numerous flip phones were opened to take a photograph of the incoming ship.

Below is the press release from NCL announcing the arrival.

Please stop back Monday to read a full review of the ship.............

July 1, 2010 - Norwegian Epic, the largest ship ever to dock in the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, arrived today for her official inaugural festivities following her maiden transatlantic seven-day voyage from Southampton , UK . Norwegian Epic with a height of 200 feet cleared the Verrazano Bridge by approximately 24 inches at 7:40 a.m.

            The 153,000 gross tons, 4,100 passenger Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship ever, enjoyed a smooth and successful first sailing before arriving in New York this morning.  The ship, billed as the world's largest floating entertainment venue with world-class entertainment unlike anything before seen at sea, will be officially christened by country music superstar Reba McEntire at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, July 2.  Comedian and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Jeff Garlin will serve as host of the ceremony.  The ship, which is docked at Pier 88 at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, will then sail on a two-day preview sailing, before returning to the pier the morning of July 4th to host the Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks® Spectacular. 

Norwegian Epic

World-class entertainment is Norwegian Epic’s hallmark.  For the first time at sea, Blue Man Group performs their exhilarating fusion of comedy, theatrics and paint, exclusively on Norwegian Epic.  In the only “big top” at sea, Cirque Dreams and Dinner presents a one-of-a-kind interactive theatrical dining experience with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination.  Legends in Concert, the original and world’s greatest live tribute show, is featured for the first time at sea in more than a decade on Norwegian Epic, along with The Second City improvisational comedy and Howl at the Moon, the world’s greatest rock ‘n roll dueling piano show that encourages audience participation.

In addition to world-class entertainment, the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic incorporates many innovations including several new types of accommodations – the curved New Wave staterooms; the largest Villas suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; and spa and family-friendly accommodations.   Kids will have a blast with Nickelodeon at Sea™ offering Nickelodeon-themed family entertainment and programming including: character meet and greets; interactive game shows; and more.

The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first SVEDKA Ice Bar at sea and Spice H₂0 with non-stop entertainment day and night; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas.  In addition, Norwegian Epic offers the next generation of Freestyle Dining with more than 20 dining choices and 20 bars and lounges.

Check Back on July 5th, when NYCruiseInfo will have a total review of the new Norwegian Epic, it amenities, facilities and dining options. In addition we will cover the Norwegian Epic's arrival in New York on July 1st.

NCL's Largest ship delivered to date and the largest ship delivered from France will make it US debut in New York On Thursday July 1. The 153.000 ton Norwegian Epic.

Norwegian Epic departed St. Nazaire June 17th en route to Rotterdam, the first port the ship will visit. Once there, she will welcome on board her first guests who set sail on a two-day inaugural cruise. On June 21, the ship  sail a one-night preview cruise to Southampton, arriving on June 22 for a two-day inaugural sailing.

On June 24, the ship departed Southampton on a sold-out seven-day transatlantic crossing to New York arriving on July 1.

Norwegian Epic will be christened by legendary entertainer Reba McEntire on July 2 followed by a two-day inaugural cruise. Norwegian Epic will be the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks event taking place on Sunday, July 4. The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Norwegian Epic arrives in Miami on Wednesday, July 7 where a welcome event will be held at Bicentennial Park from 2-4 pm. For more information on the event, head to http://epic.ncl.com/epicmiami. Inaugural festivities conclude with a two-day sailing on July 8.

Beginning July 10, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 30, 2011. Ports of call on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. The Western Caribbean cruises visit Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The 2011 cruise season from May-October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a series of seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. When she returns to Miami on November 5, 2011, she will sail a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 7, 2012.