Come in from the heat and experience the first ice bar at sea – and one of only 14 true ice bars in the world – on board Norwegian Epic. The frozen chamber of iced vodka is as hip as it is cool – the centerpiece of the bar is a giant ice cube that glows and changes colors as the hottest techno beats pump up the energy.

The bar, tables, stools, glasses and life-size sculptures are all made from ice. The temperature will not rise above 17 degrees Fahrenheit, so to keep you toasty inside, guests are given faux fur coats, gloves and hats.

The ice bar accommodates 25 people and guests can stay for up to 45 minutes. Cost is $20 per person and includes two specialty drinks. The ice bar will be open nightly from 5-10pm. Check it out and experience the ultimate chill!

(NCL)

Malcolm says: They seem short opening hours? That's around 150 people per night - so that's 1050 people in seven nights on a ship that holds 4000+.

[ 05-30-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by DEIx15x8:
I don't think they will have trouble with everyone wanting to try it out. If you look at the Oasis of the seas everyone was doing the same calculations with the Rising Rides bar and now that she's sailing we know it's now a problem as it is often only partially full or sometimes even empty.

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Personally I think the 'Rising Tide' is the only thing on Oasis that is a silly gimmick! It is not a thrill ride and it is not particularly scenic. It only moves every hour or two. I thought the glass lifts were more fun. However it's open from 1.00am to 1.00pm, although you can stay as long as you wish.

I think the Ice Bar is sufficiently unique that it will be very over-subscribed. $20 inc. two drinks sound like a bargain to me, cruise ship wise. I expected $20 + drinks!

[ 05-31-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Personally I think the 'Rising Tide' is the only thing on Oasis that is a silly gimmick!

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Personally I think the 'Rising Tide' is the only thing on Oasis that is a silly gimmick! It is not a thrill ride and it is not particularly scenic.

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I don't find the Rising Tide anymore of a gimmick than the Ice Bar. They are both small venues serving drinks, that are unique in that they are not often duplicated ashore. That is the attraction.

I personally enjoyed the Rising Tide and "rode" it a few times and enjoyed the drinks along the way. The difference between the Rising Tide and Ice Bar is there is no cover charge to enjoy the Rising Tide. You are not even required to buy a drink. For those that don't drink, the Ice Bar will be a waste.

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Originally posted by DEIx15x8:
I don't think they will have trouble with everyone wanting to try it out. If you look at the Oasis of the seas everyone was doing the same calculations with the Rising Rides bar and now that she's sailing we know it's now a problem as it is often only partially full or sometimes even empty.

Having never purchased a drink on a ship (and never sailed NCL) could someone give an idea of the cost of a drink. $20 seems like a lot for 45 minutes in a bar but if you get two drinks for that price as well then the actual cost for the bar is much lower. I think $5 for the bar would be the absolute max it should be, anything over that is insane to pay as you can go to a specialty restaurant for a meal starting at $8 on some cruise lines. $2 seems more reasonable a price for a venue that is all about the physical structure (which IMO is what you pay for when you book a cruise) rather than for better food.

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I've been to one of the real ice bar in Quebec and you have to pay $15 just to get in the door. Being so unique I can't imagine other ice bars in the world is free to entre and don't have some similar cover; they're attractions, and no attractions are truly free.

Having been to a real one and other temporary outdoor ones that also serve using ice glasses I probably won't be going to the one in the Epic, but for $20 including 2 drinks it is a great value for what you're getting.

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Originally posted by FuzzyFish:

What about the zip line?

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No more of a "gimmick" than a "climbing cage" and water slide. If you want to go the route of calling these attractions "gimmicks", then both OASIS and EPIC have plenty to go around between them.

Call them whatever you want, but these "gimmicks" or "attractions" on both EPIC and OASIS have done a great deal to attract non-cruisers to the world of cruising.

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Originally posted by FuzzyFish:

I wonder what you think about the $2.50 cupcakes on Oasis.

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EPIC will probably charge $3 for cupcakes. No one knows more about "Fee-Style" cruising than NCL! Sometimes I think they purposely make the food and service in the main dining room so poor you are almost forced to eat in the speciality restaurants. In fact when I sail on NCL I pretty much plan to eat in speciality restaurants every night and budget accordingly.

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Originally posted by FuzzyFish:

I've been to one of the real ice bar in Quebec and you have to pay $15 just to get in the door. Being so unique I can't imagine other ice bars in the world is free to entre and don't have some similar cover; they're attractions, and no attractions are truly free.

Having been to a real one and other temporary outdoor ones that also serve using ice glasses I probably won't be going to the one in the Epic, but for $20 including 2 drinks it is a great value for what you're getting.

If you think $2 is the reasonable amount they should charge to see one of 14 real ice bars in the world, I wonder what you think about the $2.50 cupcakes on Oasis.

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Originally posted by DEIx15x8:

I still don't understand the concept of that $2.50 cupcake. I looked at them and they did not look any more tasty than a typical cupcake and certainly not worth paying for over the standard deserts in the Cafe Promenade, Sorentos, and Mondo Cafe.

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I didn't buy a cupcake either, but I have to admit they looked like a work of art.

The bottom line is the cupcakes are extremely popular and business is booming. These cupcake boutiques are in large cities all over the US and Europe, and you can expect to see more on RCI ships. If people were not willing to purchase them, the boutique simply would not exist.

When the fad fades, the boutique will be replaced with something else.

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Originally posted by eroller:

EPIC will probably charge $3 for cupcakes. No one knows more about "Fee-Style" cruising than NCL! Sometimes I think they purposely make the food and service in the main dining room so poor you are almost forced to eat in the speciality restaurants. In fact when I sail on NCL I pretty much plan to eat in speciality restaurants every night and budget accordingly.

Ernie

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I have to say I second this! I am in no way "bashing" NCL. I have sailed them 4 times and I am sailing the Pride Of America in a month or so but I too, based on my last few cruises with NCL beleive they are the leader in fee based cruising. They even kept on touting their "NCL U" I was a travel agent when they were rolling that out and the way it sounded it was to be an enrichment program. Meanwhile, it is a fee based activity that mainly involves drinking or scrapebooking all at extra fees. THis was at least true on my last NCL cruise in on the Spirit in 2008.

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Originally posted by FuzzyFish:

What about the zip line?

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It all depends how you define 'a gimmick'!

On my 'Oasis' cruise passengers queued everyday to try the 'Zip Line' (including me). About half way through the cruise it was fully booked for the duration, only leaving a few 'drop-in slots'. So it is extremely popular with all age groups and was free.

The 'Rising Tide' bar is often more than half empty.

[ 06-11-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by eroller:
The ice bar was supposed to be a replica of the one on EPIC.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

It all depends how you difine 'a gimmick'!

[....]

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Originally posted by eroller:
I'll be surprised if many people stay beyond 20 minutes. I attended an NCL preview party for EPIC which featured Legends in Concert (three of the same performers that will be on EPIC) and an Ice Bar here in Miami. The ice bar was supposed to be a replica of the one on EPIC. It was cool (no pun intended!) and I loved my Cosmo in the ice glass, but even with the fur coat on after 20 minutes I was ready to go. It's not a place to relax and be comfy. It's all made of ice including the seats so it's cold and hard! Really it was a fun novelty but once was probably enough. How many people will pay is a good question. The price will probably be a good deterrent to keep crowding down.

Ernie

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Did you do the one in April? If yes, we were at the same event.

I agree though with the time in their. I lasted about 25 Minutes but mainly because of the picture taking.

I think the $20 fee is two-fold.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Got any images Ernie?

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Originally posted by FL_Cruiser64:

I have a handful on my Facebook page.

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
This CTer seems to get upset when many other CTers commented negatively on Epic's forward structure.

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Originally posted by eroller:

EPIC will probably charge $3 for cupcakes. No one knows more about "Fee-Style" cruising than NCL! Sometimes I think they purposely make the food and service in the main dining room so poor you are almost forced to eat in the speciality restaurants. In fact when I sail on NCL I pretty much plan to eat in speciality restaurants every night and budget accordingly.

Ernie

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Originally posted by eroller:

I didn't buy a cupcake either, but I have to admit they looked like a work of art.

The bottom line is the cupcakes are extremely popular and business is booming. These cupcake boutiques are in large cities all over the US and Europe, and you can expect to see more on RCI ships. If people were not willing to purchase them, the boutique simply would not exist.

When the fad fades, the boutique will be replaced with something else.

Ernie

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Do I detect a NCL Champion on this post.I think that's the name is correct. Seems like when someone says something against NCL they come back with some negative comment on RCL.
This CTer seems to get upset when many other CTers commented negatively on Epic's forward structure.
Pardon me if 'm wrong.
F4

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Interesting that my account was wiped out after the maintenance and that all my post are gone now...

What's wrong with me talking about the Epic's entertainment? I'm booked on the ship for Dec and I'm very excited about it.
Also if you read the posts (both in this thread and others), I was never the one that brought up comparisons with the Oasis, I only did so AFTER others brought it up.

And referring to the hat again, I know people think it's ugly and it's fine if they express their opinion in threads discussing it's appearance. It's when a certain CTer that keep saying the same thing over and over in every thread (especially ones that has nothing to do with the ship's aesthetics) that gets pointless, not to mention it contributes absolutely nothing to the discussion.

I've been on 25 ships across virtually every cruise line. Each has it's charms. Yet I find myself more excited about sailing the Epic than I have been about many a past cruise.

I'm intrigued by the Epic's:
- Cabin design
- Dining options
- One-of-a kind nature (no Vista or Grand Class clones to follow)
- Contemporary entertainment with name acts
- Pool deck and water park
- Unique passenger flow

I've sailed far more beautiful and elegant ships, but none that I've anticipated more. Epic looks like a very hip, cool ship.

NCL has its flaws, but also deserves credit for delivering more innovation over its history than any other cruise line. I hope Epic is a smashing success and drives development of a refined F4 ship. NCL's Freestyle Concept is really aligned with how most Americans want to vacation. With some fine tuning of on board service and food quality, NCL could be the cruise line to watch out for.