Real innovation in the cruise industry doesn’t happen very often and when it does, Norwegian Cruise Line is often behind it.  Freestyle cruising (individual restaurants, passengers dining when and with whom they please) was a big game-changer.  NCL was the first cruise line (outside Cunard) to build villa suites in a secluded area of the ship with private sun deck and pool.

Innovation is much more than building the biggest ship or adding gimmicks such as activities that one can do ashore.

Yesterday, NCL executives were in New York to announce real innovation in the cruise industry.   When Norwegian Epic enters service this July she will boast cabins designed specifically for solo cruisers. And, they weren’t just tossed in as an afterthought.

The “Studios” — staterooms for solo cruisers — on Norwegian Epic are a private key-card access complex on two decks consisting of 128 staterooms and the Studio Lounge.  Add to this, a flat starting fare of $799 per person for a seven-day cruise.  What’s standard in the cruise industry is to charge a 200% surcharge when someone wishes to travel in a stateroom alone.

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, singles 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.

Norwegian Epic enters service June 24, sailing on a seven-day Southampton (UK) to New York inaugural transatlantic voyage. Following an east-coast cruise, the ship heads for her home port, Miami to begin year-round one-week Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises with Saturday departures.  The eastern Caribbean itinerary features port stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau.   On the alternating western Caribbean cruise, the ship will visit Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel.  Both itineraries include three days at sea.

To learn more about Norwegian Epic, click here