Norwegian Epic Lives Up To Its Name

Kudos to NCL for their newest ship, Norwegian Epic. I am completely in awe. From the moment you step onboard, you will be too. It takes a while to soak it all in, but you'll notice immediately that you're surrounded in sophisticated yet comfortable design everywhere you look. And, although this ship (which holds 4,100 passengers) is massive in appearance, it's surprisingly easy to navigate.

The Most Unique Accommodations At Sea
What's your pleasure? Deluxe Owner's Suites, Courtyard Villas, Spa Suites, Family Deluxe Balcony, Balconies, Inside? What about Studio accommodations? Yes, Norwegian Epic has those, too. There is actually a group of staterooms for the solo traveler - finally! On the inaugural sailing from Miami, my spouse and I enjoyed a balcony stateroom and we still can't get over the amount of storage available. There are hidden compartments everywhere. In fact, there were so many unique spaces, we didn't even find them all - the bartender at Howl at the Moon (on board) told us to check behind the sofa cushions. We did. I still can't believe the space!

Plus, our balcony stateroom had a unique bathroom design where every area was separate, including the toilet, large shower (with Hansgrogh shower head!), and a vanity sink.

As with all new ship designs, some things appear better in concept than in reality. Namely, the beautiful vanity sink. Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't wash my face without wetting the floor and my feet. OK, I know it's not just me because some of the performers on board were joking about it as well...but hey, the sink looks fantastic! So stylish!

Entertainment Galore
This is not your ordinary cruise ship entertainment, this is The Mecca of cruise ship entertainment.

Blue Man Group
It's those painted blue guys who make a big mess and make you laugh. And now, they're at sea! We loved this show and the audience participation is something you will never forget (we got covered in toilet paper - actually recycled paper). Loved it.

Legends Unplugged
This is the longest running tribute show in entertainment history and now, they're at sea, too! See Michael Jackson, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and others in a cabaret-style musical.

Cirque Dreams and Dinner
"It's the Big Top meets the Moulin Rouge" in this theatrical, acrobatical, suspenseful show AND dinner. I'm glad the ship wasn't rocking because these performers were doing the most incredible balancing acts. You would marvel if you saw this on land, let alone a moving ship. Simply WOW and definitely entertaining.

The Second City Comedy Troupe
Don't go if you have stitches because you'll definitely pop them all out while laughing hysterically. We loved the audience participation and their super fast, think on your feet, improvisational performances. Too funny!

Howl At The Moon
I first fell in love with this bar in Tallahassee (and the manager, Bucky, was cute too). If you've never experienced the World's Greatest Rock N' Roll Dueling Piano Show, you simply must. Audience members choose the songs and these guys can play it, sing it, rock it - and they'll have you singing along, too. That's really the fun part! This is one of those venues where you settle in and the next thing you know it's 1 a.m. And you want to keep singing.

Bars and Lounges
You want bars? Well, this is your ship. I think I counted 18 and I couldn't even visit them all. But I did manage to meaner to a few...hey, I was without kids for two days! Here are a few of my Absolute apple martini favorites:

Ice Bar
There are only 14 true ice bars in the world and now there is one on board Norwegian Epic. Don a parka and breathe in the cold air as you sip your favorite cocktail from glasses formed of real ice. It's quite an experience!

Bliss Ultra Lounge
Three bowling lanes with custom loungers. Need I say more?

O'sheehan's
Is it a coincidence that NCL's CEO has the last name of Sheehan? I don't know but this Irish-named bar and grill that's open 24 hours a day was my spouse's favorite. You'll find TVs, bowling lanes, darts, pool tables, and a menu filled with comfort food.

I can't possibly mention them all in detail but there's also Sake, Shaker's Martini Bar, Spice H2O on the back of ship, a Humidor Cigar Lounge, Fat Cat's Blues Club...ok, my fingers are tired.

Have the Slime of Your Life
I'm talking about Nickelodeon at Sea, of course. And you'll only find it on Norwegian Cruise Line. There are onboard activities, character breakfasts, meet and greets with favorite characters like Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Patrick. Plus, the Nickelodeon Team puts on live shows in the theater where families play very messy game shows - and the winners (yes, winners) get SLIMED (if you don't know what that is, ask your kids)!  I'm so glad it wasn't me but it sure was fun to watch.

Recess!
I've always been a huge fan of NCL's Kids Crew and the one on board Norwegian Epic, called Recess,  is the largest I've ever seen. They have different areas for little ones, tweens and teens (and every kid in between). Kids Crew programs are available for ages 2-17.

Pool Deck
More firsts here, this ship boasts the only bowl slide at sea. See the photo to see what I mean. Get an innertube and head up the stairs (if you're chicken, walk up the stairs and you'll have a great view of those brave hearts as they're shot into the bowl! You can take photos as they gently swish around before they plummet down the hole (yeah, you gotta see the photos).

Largest Spa at Sea
You may have heard this statement before, but Norwegian Epic can now claim the Largest Spa At Sea - and it's beyond fantastic. Buy the day pass if you're not having a treatment so you can experience pure bliss. You'll find plenty of thermal loungers (those tiled chaise loungers that heat up and relax you in an instant) and a 'multi-treatment' pool that has three different areas to hang out in with lots of bubbles, a thalassostherapy area and even a big artsy waterfall. There's even those tiny pinpoints of multi-colored lights on the ceiling throughout. My blood pressure just dropped ten points thinking about it. And the views from the back of the ship while you're sitting there relaxing (or in the sauna) are just beyond fabulous. This is serious spa-relaxation taken to an entirely new level.

Norwegian Epic is now sailing 7-day cruises from Miami, alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean. I can't wait to embark on this beautiful ship again, next time with my boys. They will love it as much as I did. To book your unforgettable cruise vacation on board Norwegian Epic call NCL at 866-234-7350.

The Ice Bar on board Norwegian Epic (VERY COOL)!

Teppanyaki specialty restaurant chef and entertainer! He rocked!

O'sheehan's 24-hour Pub and Grill

The only bowl-slide at sea on board Norwegian Epic

Kids Crew area on board Norwegian Epic

More of the enormous Kids Crew area on board

A small part of the Mandara Spa Relaxation Area

Multi-treatment pool with waterfalls (loved it)

Thermal loungers in the Mandara Spa (aahhhh)

Nickelodeon stage show on board Norwegian Epic

(Families competing to put on as many pairs of undies as they could before the buzzer!)

Getting SLIMED (and they were the winners)! Good sports!

Our Balcony Stateroom on board Norwegian Epic

The infamous (but stylish!) vanity sink in our stateroom

Interior shot from a walkway (you can see the casino area on the deck below)

Norwegian Epic: Sneak Peek At What's Onboard

Norwegian Epic is NCL's newest and most innovative ship and she's launching July 2010. I for one can't wait to get onboard. As a big fan of their Freestyle Cruising (freedom to do what you want, when you want), I can only imagine the amount of fabulous freedom I'll have onboard this next generation of ships.

I did get a sneak preview of some of the entertainment and innovative venues that will be onboard Norwegian Epic just a few weeks ago when NCL put on an EPIC party in Miami to give us a taste of the great things to come...

Legends in Concert will be one of the entertainment groups performing for NCL guests. In case you've been living in a cardboard box, Legends is the world's greatest live tribute show and has been in Vegas for the last 25 years! You can also find them in Branson and Mrytle Beach. The evening of the EPIC party, we got to see Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and Elvis perform 'live.' And let me tell you, everyone was on their feet. These guys (and beautiful gal) were AMAZING! It was so much fun and holy cow, they really are the spittin' image of whom they portray.

In addition to Legends in Concert, guest of Norwegian Epic can also see Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams™ and Dinner and The Second City comedy act. Oh, and don't forget Howl at the Moon - the ultra fun dueling piano bar where half the fun is the audience participation.

Not cool enough for you? Norwegian Epic will also have the only real ICE BAR at sea. I'm talking a bar where you have to don the parka and closed toed shoes - and you drink out of ice cups. Can I tell you? Drinking an apple martini out of glass made of ice, was  s m o o t h ! ! ! And although you can't hang out for very long, while you're there, it's a blast. And the photos for the folks back home will definitely be priceless.

Norwegian Epic is also going to have 11 complimentary dining options and if I've counted right, nine specialty dining options. I for one don't mind the surcharge for the specialty dining as I've had fantastic meals at each location that I've tried but my favorite thus far is Le Bistro, their French inspired restaurant. LOVE it.

I could write a book about the fabulousness of Norwegian Epic but for now, I'll just send you to NCL's EPIC blog. Stay tuned for more news, and I'll see you onboard in July!

Celebrity Century Diva Cruise

Living in Miami affords many conveniences. One of my favorites being the Port of Miami. It's so easy to hop on a cruise, especially weekend sailings of just 2, 3 or 4 days. And when a girl just needs to get away (from kids, spouse, work), there's not much that can surpass being pampered, massaged, and wine and dined while sailing on the deep blue sea. Lest we forget a little casino action in between?

That's where Celebrity Century comes in. And although she is not one of their newer vessels (inaugurated in 1995), she is definitely a favorite among those who know her. Charming, indeed. And she has been revitalized with 314 new private verandas and new Sky suites, too. Now, for those who've checked pricing on cruises, you know that Celebrity can be a bit pricey (albeit, worth it), but a working girl has to save her hard-earned cash for five-star coddling aboard their world's finest ships.

So when I suggested a weekend Diva Cruise to a few girlfriends, we knew that Celebrity would provide a fantastic experience. And they had a two-night sailing to their private island so we booked it immediately. No travel agent necessary for this, we did it ourselves online (gasp)!

Although I honestly don't consider myself a diva (I'm really a working mom who's lucky to get a shower every day), Celebrity's award-winning service was definitely welcomed. And I always look forward to some much needed spa time. Celebrity's AquaSpa is one of my favorites. Each of us had a signature body treatment (mine was a hot stone massage) and it was s p l e n d i d ! Oh yes...it was.

I do have one more story to share. When we went to dinner, all three of us girls were wearing black dresses (they ARE slimming you know), but there we no black napkins available. Only white. Divas? Or just women worried about lint? You decide. But whatever your answer, we survived...on Peter Lehman shiraz and duck confit. Sigh.

We're already making plans to sail one of the new Solstice Class ships next (I've had the pleasure of sailing Celebrity Solstice, and she was a true stunner, but that's another blog!).

Norwegian Sky: Pampering in the Owner's Suite

My three nieces, Christine, Kaitlyn, and Christine, are all having banner birthdays this year, so being the cruising aunt that I am, I invited them to cruise aboard Norwegian Sky for a two-night cruise. Now, normally, Norwegian Sky offers only 3- and 4-day sailings, but the ship was just privately chartered for five days and had two days to spare until her next Bahamas cruise. Lucky us!

I had booked a Penthouse Suite (since it was only 2-days, it was affordable), and then two days before the sail date, I got a call from NCL asking if I was interested in an upgrade to the Owner's Suite. I couldn't pull my credit card out fast enough. SCORE!

VIP is the name of the game when you book these suites (and you should see these rooms onboard some of their newer ships like Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel - and I can't wait to see them on the brand new Norwegian Epic, debuting this summer).

Ok, back to the goodies - VIP escort to your room. Butler service (ours was Jeffrey and he rocked!). Canapes delivered daily. Two bathrooms. Private hot tub on your private balcony. Liquor bottles. Concierge service to make your dinner and show reservations. VIP tender access. VIP disembarkation. And this is the short list.

The only downfall, I'm spoiled now. I mean, how can I go back to a normal stateroom, whether it's a oceanview or a balcony (forget inside!), after I've seen the light of my own Lavassa Espresso maker glowing in the dark?

I have to tell you, I've sailed NCL many times. At this point, I'm a Silver Latitudes member (their rewards program for past guests) and the reason I sail them is because I love the entire Freestyle Cruising concept. But NCL is no stranger to innovation. After all, they were the first cruise line to start sailing to the Caribbean in the 1960s. I love them.

Our favorite restaurant was Le Bistro, the French-inspired specialty restaurant, where everyone enjoys an oceanview. The cuisine was delightful. My niece, Samantha, the vegetarian, was thrilled with her entrees at each of the restaurants we tried. Kaitlyn was daring and tried escargot for the first time - she thinks it was her favorite dish on the entire cruise.

And of course, we had to do some girl bonding in the Mandara onboard spa. Hot stone massages for everyone! What better way to spend my annual company bonus, right? I agree.

For shorter cruises, long on luxury, get on board Norwegian Sky. Depart Miami for 3 or 4 days - and if you can, get that Owner's Suite! On second thought, don't! I want it all to myself!