 |
 |
NORWEGIAN EPIC
Norwegian Epic floats out to celebrate major construction milestone
July 14, 2009 - Norwegian Epic made her first journey on water In the early morning hours of Saturday (July 11), cruising out of her construction quay at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France, where the 153,000-ton ship has been under construction since October 2007.
The massive 4,200 passenger ship was accompanied by a fleet of six tugboats and taken a short distance down the Loire Estuary. Within 90 minutes, the ship was moored at the outfitting dock.
Norwegian Epic's float out represented a major milestone in the vessel's construction as she has now moved into the final phase of construction and work will begin immediately on the vessel's interiors.
Kevin Sheehan, NCL's chief executive officer, said: "Watching Norwegian Epic make her first journey on the water was a very moving experience. Norwegian Epic epitomises our continued commitment to innovation and represents the next generation of Freestyle Cruising."
On hand for the occasion were Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, NCL's chairman of the board and also chairman, president and chief executive of the Genting Group; NCL executives: Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer; Roberto Martinoli, president and chief operating officer; and Andy Stuart, executive vice president, global sales and passenger services, as well as Sang-Ho Shin, president and chief executive officer, STX Europe; and Jacques Hardelay, general manager, STX Europe, France. |