Norwegian Epic Breaks NCL Booking Records

Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest and largest Freestyle Cruising ship ever, has set record-breaking booking levels for the past two weeks on the heels of its successful inaugural activities in Europe, New York and Miami. The booking volume for the week ended July 10, 2010 is the highest this year, second only to the previous week ended July 3, 2010. Media exposure during the inaugural activities and positive reviews from both travel partners and the press are helping to fuel the demand.

“Now that we have shown Norwegian Epic to the world and she has been so well received by all, we are more than pleased with the record-breaking booking volumes for this incredible new ship,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “Given the trends so far this week, we expect the booking volumes to continue and we may even break another record this week.”

The 153,000 gross tons, 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic, billed as the world’s largest floating entertainment venue with world-class entertainment unlike anything before seen at sea, was christened by country music superstar Reba McEntire on July 2 in a Christening Ceremony hosted by Curb Your Enthusiasm star and comedian Jeff Garlin. The ship served as the venue for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular broadcast live on NBC television. The hour-long broadcast was the #1 program across all networks for the evening, hitting a three year high in ratings. The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular show also won the coveted 18-49 demo and had a significant +82% gain in women, ages 25-54, versus last year.

Norwegian Epic is currently sailing her first Eastern Caribbean cruise which departed Miami on July 10, 2010. The ship is sail alternating 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries every Saturday from Miami through April 2011. This week, Norwegian Epic will make stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, Bahamas. On her Western Caribbean sailings, Norwegian Epic will visit Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico and Roatan, Honduras