NCL has decided to promote and sell the Studio Cabins on NORWEGIAN EPIC as singles. There will be no single supplement for these cabins.

I really have to question what prompted this. NCL states it's an untapped market, but frankly if the market were that untapped I think Carnival or RCCL would have picked up on it long ago.

More likely is that the Studio cabins were just not selling as extremely small double cabins. For slightly more you could book a larger standard inside cabin.

Whatever the motivation, I like the idea. The Studio area could become quite interesting as it will be filled with only singles, and the key card entry Studio Lounge has essentially just become a singles bar.

Does anyone know if NCL will continue to sell these cabins as doubles, and what are they doing with the double passengers that already booked these cabins?

Ernie

Norwegian Cruise Line Gives Solo Travelers a Reason to Cruise on Norwegian Epic

Innovative concept focuses on Studios specifically designed and priced for the solo traveler

Norwegian Epic's Studio staterooms are the first to be designed and priced for single occupancy.

NEW YORK - January 13, 2010 - Continuing its history of innovation, Norwegian Cruise Line today announced a completely new concept to make cruising more attractive to solo travelers on the company's largest and most exciting Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, launching this July. Norwegian Epic's Studios are the first staterooms designed and priced for single occupancy, starting from $799 on the ship's seven-day alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. These specially designed and priced Studio staterooms available on all of Norwegian Epic's sailings - with no single supplement - go on sale Monday, January 18, 2010.

"Historically, the cruise industry has not embraced the large number of people who enjoy traveling solo," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "We are breaking the mold of traditional cruising once again by offering a stateroom designed and priced specifically for solo travelers, making cruising a more attractive travel option. We invite all solo travelers - whether they are first-time cruisers or cruising veterans -- to sail on our incredible new Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic."

The Studios on Norwegian Epic are a private key-card access complex on two decks consisting of 128 staterooms and the Studio Lounge. This unique and thoughtfully designed concept provides comfort and convenience for the solo traveler. Each Studio stateroom, at approximately 100 square feet of living space, features a contemporary design with a full-size bed and separate areas for the bathroom, sink and shower. In addition, guests in the Studios have private access to the exclusive Studio Lounge. Here, guests can grab a cup of coffee in the morning, meet up with fellow cruisers and plan their day or relax with a drink in the evening. Since many of the Studio staterooms are connecting, there is also the opportunity for friends to travel together while giving each their own private space. A live interactive web event discussing the Studios and other Norwegian Epic news will take place today at 5 pm ET. To register for the web event, click here.

Norwegian Epic
World-class entertainment is Norwegian Epic's hallmark. For the first time at sea, Blue Man Group will perform their exhilarating fusion of comedy, theatrics and paint, exclusively on Norwegian Epic. In the only "big top" at sea, Cirque Dreams and Dinner will present a one-of-a-kind interactive theatrical dining experience with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. Legends in Concert, the original and world's greatest live tribute show, will be featured for the first time at sea in more than a decade on Norwegian Epic, along with The Second City improvisational comedy and Howl at the Moon, the world's greatest rock 'n roll dueling piano show that encourages audience participation.

In addition to world-class entertainment, the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic incorporates many innovations including several new types of accommodations - the curved New Wave staterooms; the largest Villas suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; and spa and family-friendly accommodations. The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first Ice Bar at sea and Spice H20 with non-stop entertainment day and night; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids' and teen activity areas. In addition, Norwegian Epic will offer the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 20 dining choices and 20 bars and lounges.

For more information on Norwegian Epic as well as to book a cruise on Norwegian Epic to the Eastern or Western Caribbean, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional

About Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 43-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian has the youngest fleet in the industry with 10 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

Norwegian is presently building Norwegian Epic, the company's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, for delivery in summer 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic.

The reason that the 'Studios' may not have been selling well to couples is that they were very small at 100 sq ft, but priced no cheaper than standard inside cabins which are bigger at 128 sq ft..

The 'Living Room' will now be a 'singles Bar' but have half the number of clients and sell half the number of drinks...duh! (Great planning again!)

I wonder how well the 'Spiegel Tent' will work with overhead trapeze artists and passenger dining below? "Waiter there ia a performer in my soup".

[ 01-14-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
The 'Living Room' will now be a 'singles Bar' but have half the number of clients and sell half the number of drinks...duh! (Great planning again!)

---

With all singles I am wondering if the area as a whole may well be more 'social' and perhaps do better business than if all [or some] were couples keeping themselves more to themselves?

quote:

---

Originally posted by NAL:
Almost all ships in the past which had designated singles would be classified as "small" with very few exceptions. Just look at the singles on the Saga sisters and the QE2. All small, but fine for the single traveler. Cunard and HAL need to re-introduce this concept.

---

Yep this all reminds me of those lovely cosy M4-5 on the QE2. Stayed in them twice, very small but somehow had a great time. These Epic cabinettes will do very well if Atlantis decided to charter the ship ;-))

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:

With all singles I am wondering if the area as a whole may well be more 'social' and perhaps do better business than if all [or some] were couples keeping themselves more to themselves?

---

I actually think it is a very good idea. It just strikes as funny that NCL designed the 'innovative' cabins for couples. They obviously made them too small!

So now the ships passenger capacity has dropped by 128. O.K I don't suppose it will be noticeable, but that's 6,656 less passengers per year less, (assuming maximum capacity of the studio cabins with 2 pax per cabin).

So one of NCL's innovative ideas has already had to be re-thought before the maiden voyage. At least the singles all get a 'double bed' each!

[ 01-15-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by eroller:
Does anyone know if NCL will continue to sell these cabins as doubles

---

From the NCL web site it looks like these cabins are now EXCLUSIVELY for single passengers.