NCL has announced it will showcase new ship Norwegian Epic to travel partners in the UK with a two-night inaugural on 22 June 2010 following her arrival in Southampton.

Following her delivery from the shipyard in mid-June Norwegian Epic will sail to Rotterdam for a two-night inaugural cruise departing on 19 June. This will be followed by a one-night cruise from Rotterdam to Southampton leaving on 21 June.

 

After her Southampton inaugural, Norwegian Epic will begin a transatlantic crossing to New York departing on 24 June. The ship will be christened in New York on 2 July, which will be followed by a three-night inaugural cruise over the 4 July Independence Day weekend.

 

Once Epic arrives at her home in Miami, the ship will sail a two-night inaugural cruise departing on 8 July. Epic’s first seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyage is scheduled for 10 July and is currently on sale, along with the ship’s alternating Western Caribbean sailings.

 

NCL Announces Norwegian Epic’s Captain and Hotel Director

 

NCL has named the two seasoned captains who will head up Norwegian Epic. Following a live interactive online event, NCL also introduced the ship’s two hotel directors who will be responsible for all guest areas, including the 20 dining options, entertainment, extensive nightlife venues and family and recreational activities.

 

Norwegian Epic will enter service next June under the command of Captain Trygve Vorren, a 29-year seafaring veteran who is currently captain of Norwegian Jade, and Captain Hakan Svedung, at sea for 35 years and currently captain of Norwegian Dawn.  Vorren, a native of Norway, joined NCL in 1980 as first officer on the SS Norway, then the world’s largest cruise ship. He has also served aboard Skyward, Southward, Sunward II, Dreamward, Leeward, Starward, Royal Odyssey, Norwegian Sea, Norwegian Crown, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Majesty.  Svedung, who lives in Sweden, has served on Norwegian Dawn since 2006; prior to that he worked for Star Cruises, one of NCL’s shareholders, for 12 years.  Both captains are looking forward to their exciting and challenging new role.

 

Klaus Lugmaier and Sean Wurmhoeringer will serve as Norwegian Epic’s hotel directors.  Lugmaier, currently director of shipboard operations at the company’s Miami headquarters, began his career at NCL 21 years ago aboard Seaward and held a variety of positions before becoming one of the youngest hotel directors in the cruise industry at the age of 26.  As hotel director, he has launched seven of the company’s new ships, including Leeward, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem.  He was also part of the team that launched Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Wind.  Wurmhoeringer, with NCL since 2002, is currently serving as hotel director on Norwegian Spirit and has also served on Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky.

 

“We carefully chose these seasoned veterans to lead the on board team that will launch the most important project in the company’s history,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s chief executive officer.  “We are confident that they have the expertise, dedication and passion to make Norwegian Epic’s launch and inaugural season extremely successful.”