Last December worldwide attention was focused on Royal Caribbean’s amazing Oasis of the Seas an equally noteworthy new ship entering service in 2010.  Norwegian Cruise Line’s 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic promises to have some of the most revolutionary new concepts in all the cruise industry and bring the popular “Freestyle Cruising” to a whole new level.     And in my opinion, the new NCL ship will raise the bar for the cruise industry and attract people who wouldn’t ordinarily opt for a seagoing vacation.

* Freestyle Dining. Over the past decade NCL has converted thousands of people to the unstructured experience of “Freestyle Cruising” which means you may dine when and with whom you please.  Instead of one or two large restaurants with two, assigned seatings, NCL’s ships offer the choice of up to a dozen small specialty restaurants, several requiring reservations.      Aboard Norwegian Epic cruisers will find a whopping 21 restaurants to choose from (ten with a surcharge ranging from $10 to $25 per person).

I can’t wait to dine at the two-story “Cirque Dreams and Dinner” supper club with two spectacular shows of acrobatic performers each evening.

*  Innovative Nightlife. It’s still tough to obtain reservations for Blue Man Group in New York so I was surprised to learn these incredible performers will have two shows per day aboard Norwegian Epic at no extra charge.  The cruise industry’s first designated jazz club will showcase world-class talent in the 200-seat Fats Cat show lounge.  And the Headliners Comedy Club will feature the improvisational comedy of The Second City, as Norwegian continues its exclusive partnership with the famed troupe.  The ensemble will perform a special customized comedy revue of satirical skits, hilarious songs and inventive improvisation.

* First Single Cabins, Villa Enhancements & Other Stateroom Innovations. When Norwegian Epic enters service this July she will boast cabins designed specifically for solo cruisers.  Called “Studios”, the staterooms are a private key-card access complex on two decks consisting of 128 cabins and the Studio Lounge.  Here, singles can grab a cup of coffee in the morning, meet up with fellow cruisers and have a drink at night.  Many of the 100 square foot cabins are connecting.     Those seeking a luxury cruise experience can’t do better than opt for one the 46 sybaritic Courtyard Villas, located across a two-deck-high private Courtyard and accessed only by key card.  The Villa area features a private pool, fitness facility, private indoor/outdoor dining and a private concierge.  The ship will boast “New Wave” staterooms with curved walls and unique bathrooms:  The sink and vanity will be inside the cabin while shower and toilet in a segregated area.

* Aqua Park and other Deck-top Enhancements. Kids and active adults will have a blast during days at sea.  Norwegian Epic’s Aqua Park has three water slides, one that goes through the rock-climbing wall.  Or, board an inner tube for a hair-raising 200-ft. drop on the “Epic Plunge” into a bowl.   The ship’s rock-climbing wall is the biggest at sea, 64 feet wide and 33-high.   Additional sports facilities include a batting cage, bungee trampoline, full-size basketball court and squash count.