Norwegian Epic and Pride of America Get Updates
Norwegian Cruise Line has been investing heavily in ship upgrades lately. Vessels like the Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, and Encore all received updates at the end of last year. Now, it’s time for two of the most unique ships in the fleet to get their turn: Norwegian Epic and Pride of America, the only two ships in the Norwegian fleet without sister ships.
Norwegian Epic Upgrades
The Norwegian Epic hasn’t had the easiest run. Its construction was fraught with delays and disagreements between Norwegian Cruise Line and shipbuilder STX Europe Chantiers de l’Atlantique. While it was originally part of a planned class of ships, Norwegian canceled the follow-ups and ended their relationship with the shipyard after launch.
Since its debut, the Epic has drawn criticism for its quirky design choices, like a split-bathroom layout with a sink in the main cabin, low ceilings, and a top-heavy silhouette. More recently, guests have noted how worn the ship feels, including cruise bloggers Ben and David, who documented the ship’s poor condition compared to their previous sailing on Norwegian’s newest ships.
Now, the ship is in dry dock for routine maintenance, cosmetic improvements, and a few key updates.
Posh Beach Club Becomes Vibe Beach Club
The Norwegian Epic has a unique adult-only Posh Beach Club. This adult-only area was open to guests staying in “The Haven” cabins as well as guests who would purchase a pass. During this dry dock, it’s being transformed into Vibe Beach Club to match similar venues across the fleet.
The space will expand significantly, taking over general sun deck areas on Decks 18 and 19. The upgraded area will remain adults-only and will include a dedicated hot tub and private cabanas available for an extra charge. A new hot tub will also be added to the remaining open sun deck.
Importantly, Spice H2O, the adults-only lounge and pool area, will remain onboard and free to access.
Refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park
The former “SplashGolf” area, a quirky mix of mini-golf and splash pad, is being replaced. The new space will become a full-fledged Kids’ Aqua Park designed for “adults and children alike,” according to Norwegian.
New Staterooms
In classic Norwegian fashion, more cabins are being added during the dry dock. The Epic will gain eight new staterooms, including both balcony and oceanview options.
Enclosed Casino Smoking Area?
With low ceilings and a confined space, the casino on the Norwegian Epic can get really smoky. While not detailed in the official press release, a video tour of the construction process posted on social media indicated the casino will have a glass-enclosed smoking area, similar to what’s seen on Norwegian’s newer ships.
Pride of America Upgrades
Pride of America is another one-of-a-kind ship in Norwegian’s lineup. It’s the only ship in the fleet sailing US-only itineraries and has no sister ships currently sailing in the fleet.
New Starbucks Location
A new Starbucks is being added to Deck 5 in the Capital Atrium, giving guests an easy way to grab their favorite drinks during the cruise.
Pickleball Court
Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, and Pride of America will now support it with updated sports courts.
More Staterooms
The ship will gain twelve new Club Balcony Suites and three inside staterooms during its dry dock.
Kids’ Areas Relocated
Splash Academy (for kids ages 3 to 12) and the Entourage Teen Club are getting new homes on Deck 6. These spaces will replace the Library, Internet Café, and Chapel. The Shuffles Card Room will be converted into a combined Library and Card Room.
My Take: Improvements, but Marginal at Best
While it’s good to see Norwegian Epic and Pride of America getting some attention, the upgrades feel more like minor course corrections than meaningful overhauls. While sister ships received new dining venues and completely rebranded spaces, many of the changes on the Epic are minor and show a lack of investment in the ship. The changes address some pain points, such as smoke in the casino and limited sun deck space, but they don’t fundamentally reshape the experience. These dry docks are a step in the right direction, but a more ambitious refresh would have made a bigger impact.
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