Norwegian Epic’s Construction Tops Off With Monumental Funnels

The construction of Norwegian Cruise Line's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, reached a major milestone with the fitting of its two epic proportioned funnels at the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Above: Before being added to Norwegian Epic, the funnel block was transported through the city of Saint-Nazaire to the shipyard on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

The massive block consisted of three parts: the two funnels separated by a HVAC station. It weighed 45 tons, and measured approximately 46 feet high, 65 feet long and 23 feet wide, roughly the size of a large yacht. The addition of the funnel is significant as it represents one of the final stages in the completion of the superstructure.

Above: The funnel block, forward view, after if was fitted on the ship.

At this stage, the funnel has not reached its final size as it is not yet equipped with the exhaust pipe system. In order to install the system, a crane will be installed on deck 15 to raise the exhaust pipe system over the blue funnel block, located on deck 17.The last block on the fore part of the vessel will be lowered at the end of the week. Then, the radar mast will be added which will complete Norwegian Epic's structure before her transfer to the outfitting dock. The ship’s float out and transfer to the outfitting dock is currently planned for July 11, 2009.

The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery at the end of May 2010. For more information and renderings, visit epic.ncl.com.