Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Epic will feature new inside studio cabins with mood-changing lights, a window onto the corridor and access to a communal lounge.
The 4,200-passenger ship will also have a courtyard for top-paying passengers that has its own inside and outside dining area, pool, gym and sauna and steam room, concierge and nightclub.
Releasing details of the accommodation on Norwegian Epic at the Seatrade Shipping Convention in Miami this week, executive vice-president and chief product officer Andy Stuart said the Studios would provide a ship within a ship for budget travellers.
There will be 128 studios on decks 10 and 11, each for two passengers, who will have access to a shared lounge with a bar, reading area, two large TV screens and a concierge, who can book spa treatments and restaurants.
The courtyard accommodation will be at the top of the ship, on decks 16 and 17, and comprises 46 courtyard suites, six courtyard penthouses and eight deluxe owners suites.
Similar suite accommodation is on the newest NCL ships, but in much smaller numbers.
Norwegian Epic will also have NCL’s first spa suites – a total of 39, designed in “restful” colours and with free 24-hour access to the thermal suite. Six suites will have an in-room whirlpool.
New family-friendly balcony and deluxe balcony cabins are on decks 13 and 14, around the expanded kids’ club. They hold up to four people and many have interconnecting doors to accommodate extended families.
NCL UK general manager Stephen Park said the Studios will attract people who are new to cruise and singles, because the shared lounge is very sociable and also couples on a budget because they will be priced the same as an inside cabin.
Norwegian Epic will be sailing seven-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises that can be put back to back to make a 14-night cruise. Cruise-only prices start at £899 per person for 14 nights in an inside cabin and £1,279 for a balcony.
Park said: “These prices make cruising very accessible for our audience.”
Agents can block-book allocations of cabins on Norwegian Epic now and goes on sale to the public in mid-May.
NCL released details of New Wave curvy inside and balcony cabins that will be on Norwegian Epic at the keel-laying in France last April.