Norwegian Epic gets a bow

Norwegian Epic’s bow was put into position at STX France in St. Nazaire. The block weighed 445 tons and measured 85 feet long, 108 feet wide and almost 30 feet high.
The process of placing the bow took 100 workers about two hours, Norwegian Cruise Line said.
Concerning steelwork, this step completes the lower part of the hull, with only the superstructure yet to be finished.
The 153,000gt vessel is scheduled for delivery in late May 2010
The ship’s last ‘big reveal’ is set for May 20 in New York, the same day that bookings open to the general public.

Norwegian Epic takes a bow



What's this, a rusty steel version of Jaws? No, it's the 445-ton bow section of Norwegian Cruise Lines new mega-ship, Epic, being lowered into place at the shipyard in St Nazaire, France. It took 100 workers more than two hours to get it in place and - I hope - considerably longer to make sure the joints were securely welded. The 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger ship should be finished by next May.




Norwegian Epic Takes a Bow (photo) Norwegian Epic’s construction, underway at STX Europe in St. Nazaire, France, celebrated a milestone in the early morning hours last Wednesday, April 9, when the ship’s bow was lowered into place. The bow, known as block 642, weighed 445 tons and measured 85 feet long, 108 feet wide and almost 30 feet high. The process of putting the bow in place took 100 workers about two hours. This significant step represents the completion of the lower part of the steel hull, those areas that come in contact with the sea, and indicates that only the superstructures, or topsides, remain to be finalized.

"Embarking the bow is a symbolic and strong step in the building of Norwegian Epic. She is taking shape beautifully,” said Roberto Martinoli, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and chief operating officer. “STX Europe is doing an incredible job of constructing our largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date.”

The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery at the end of May 2010.
Norwegian Epic’s next and final chapter reveal is scheduled for May 20, 2009, in New York City. Also that day, the ship’s 2010-2011 sailings open for sale to the general public. These include seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 'epic' new ship takes a bow in France




Building a cruise ship is sort of like playing with Legos, except on a grand scale. Just look at the picture to the left.
The photo, courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line, shows the bow of the line's much-awaited Norwegian Epic being lowered into place last week at the STX Europe shipyard in St. Nazaire, France -- a major milestone of the vessel's construction.
At 153,000 tons, the Epic is by far the largest cruise ship ever built by NCL and, indeed, one of the biggest ships ever constructed by any line. It's scheduled to debut in May 2010.
For the record, NCL says the bow of the 4,200-passenger ship (shown after placement in the photo below) weighed 445 tons and measured 85 feet long, 108 feet wide and almost 30 feet high. The process of putting the bow in place took 100 workers about two hours.

With the addition of the bow, the lower part of the ship's steel hull is now complete.
Under construction for more than a year (click HERE for exclusive construction photos), the Epic is scheduled to sail in the Caribbean year-round after it debuts.
NCL originally ordered two Epic-sized ships for delivery in 2010, but earlier this year the line announced it had canceled one of the orders with the shipyard. Epic now is the only NCL ship on order.
NCL says the ship will open for sale to the general public on May 20, when further details about its entertainment areas will be revealed.

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