Thursday, June 18, 2009

Final Building Block Crowns Norwegian Epic

There comes a time during the building of every ship when she really begins to take shape. It's that time for Norwegian Epic as her true profile is finally formed. Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the last block, number 0898, in the construction of Norwegian Epic was lowered onto the vessel on Friday, June 5 at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France. The block, which weighed 563 tons, equivalent to the weight of approximately 64 elephants, and measured 133 feet wide, 113 feet long and 63 feet high, was placed above the bridge and took one hour to move onto the ship.

Above: Norwegian Epic’s last block, number 0898, is lowered into place above the bridge on Friday, June 5 at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France

One of largest on the vessel, this block will house portions of The Villas, a private enclave of 60 exclusive suites located on Decks 16, 17, and 18. The radar mast will be added next which will complete Norwegian Epic's structure before her float out and transfer to the outfitting dock on July 11, 2009.

Above: With the final block in place, Norwegian Epic is ready for her July 11 float out.

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.

Photos courtesy of B. Biger / STX France Cruise SA

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