Norwegian Cruise Lines' (NCL) new ship Epic has funnel attached

June 4, 5:36 PMCharlotte Cruise Ships ExaminerKeith Cooke

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The Norwegian Epic megaship is due to sail after May 2010 (Photo courtesy of
Norwegian Cruise Lines)

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the construction of its largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, reached another milestone yesterday with the fitting of its two huge funnels at STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France. 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 Epic.

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.