A new wave for the cruise ship of superlatives
The world of cruise ships is changing: More and more environmental technology is now found inside these floating luxury hotels. At the same time, old conventions are being cast off. On the new and especially luxurious Norwegian Epic, this means 21 top-class restaurants and no dress code. Instead, you will find a water slide and circus tent! In terms of sustainability and comfort, Hansgrohe AG provided products that offer the highest levels of bathing comfort while also protecting resources.
The Norwegian Epic was delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in July 2010 and sets new standards in many areas: Covering 1,079 feet in length, the ship has space for up to 4,100 passengers. The ice bar is currently the only bar on the high seas to serve cool drinks in surroundings of -8 °C (17 °F). At 200 feet, the water slide is probably the world’s largest on-ship slide. The circus tent plays host to the “Cirque Dreams® and Dinner” evening show and shows by the Blue Man Group, who are performing exclusively on board the Norwegian Epic.
The casual on-board style does away with standard perceptions of cruise ships, and is known as “Freestyle Cruising” by the cruise line. The cabins with balconies also have unusual floor plans, with elegantly curved walls. Hansgrohe’s design skills and product functionality came into play when planning the bathrooms and faucets.
The pure design of the Axor Starck Classic lavatory mixer is found in 125 suites, and is indicative of the high standards on the luxury vessel. In around 1,700 cabins, Raindance EcoRight handshowers save both water and energy without sacrificing comfort. The same advantages of Hansgrohe EcoRight technology are also offered on board by the Talis S lavatory faucets, whose water flow is limited to 1.5 gallons per minute. Fresh water is especially valuable on the ship, as its transportation is very complicated.
Location: Cruises in the western Mediterranean, transatlantic cruises and Caribbean cruises
Shipbuilder: STX Europe, Saint-Nazaire (France)
Completed: 2010
Products: Axor Starck
Hansgrohe Talis S
Raindance EcoRight
Photos: 2011 NCL (Bahamas) Ltd.
