NCL’s renowned Freestyle Cruising concept will be taken to new heights next year with the introduction of the company’s largest ship, Norwegian Epic.

The cutting edge new vessel, which is to sail in the Caribbean in summer 2010, will also have 39 spa cabins and suites and two decks of family accommodation with cabins designed for three or four passengers positioned close to the childrens’ facilities. Like all NCL ships, passengers will be encouraged to leave deadlines, schedules, clock-watching and dinner settings on land.

The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic is due to be delivered in late May 2010, and will take part in inaugural events before beginning Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from its year-round homeport of Miami. The first eastern Caribbean sailing is scheduled for July 17, 2010 and the ship’s alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries run until April 2011.

The eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The massive ship will feature curved ‘New Wave’ cabins and unique night spots like the first ice bar at sea. Five nightlife venues have been designed to rival the experiences of Las Vegas, Ibiza, the Riviera and South Beach, Miami. The five venues include the POSH Beach Club, an adults-only setting at the top of the ship; Halo, the Über Bar, a private bar and lounge in the ship-within-a-ship villa complex; Bliss Ultra Lounge, an all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with four-lane bowling alley; and Spice H20, an adults-only aft pool deck venue.

The ship’s cabins provide a fresh take on bathroom design, with contemporary curved architecture and open living space. The most distinctive design element is the curved cabin walls and lines to create a “modern and chic” experience. The living space is maximised with a bathroom with a separate shower stall, separate toilet and a modern vanity top sink. Cabins will feature concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings.

Norwegian Epic will also have 128 inside studios will be priced at the same level as standard inside cabins to appeal to budget travellers. The 100sq ft studios are being designed to maximise space and feature a large, round window that looks out into the corridor, along with colour changing light effects that mirror different stages of the day. Those booking studios on the ship will have key-card access to a two-storey private ‘living room’ area featuring a bar, TVs and room service.

The ‘ship within a ship’ Courtyard area covers 60 suites across two private decks at the top of the ship, including Courtyard Villas and penthouses. The complex includes a private pool gym, sun deck and restaurant for indoor and outdoor dining, bar and nightclub.

For next summer in Europe, Norwegian Gem will be based in Venice for the first time offering two different seven-night fly-cruise itineraries covering the Greek Islands and Aegean Sea. The ship will sail two seven night itineraries, ‘Venice & the Greek Isles’ and ‘Venice & the Aegean Sea’ with the two being combinable to make a back-to-back 14-night sailing.

Alongside Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade will sail from Barcelona, with Norwegian Jewel operating to the Baltic Sea on 12-night cruises from Dover.

Also new for 2010 is a ‘Mediterranean Treasures’ itinerary with stops in Monte Carlo and Palma from Barcelona. Canary Islands and Eastern Mediterranean sailings also feature between April 2010 and April 2011.