Two Norwegian Cruise Ships Upgraded Before Launch of Summer Season
Norwegian Cruise Line is sprucing up two of its ships before the start of the 2025 summer season, with one vessel soon to emerge from a dry dock renovation and the second about to enter dry dock.
Both ships, Norwegian Epic and Pride of America, will increase guest capacity by adding staterooms and will receive improvements to multiple public areas.
Norwegian Epic, known for pioneering the concept of studio cabins for solo travelers when she entered service in 2010, is currently undergoing a three-week dry dock and will resume operations in Europe on May 8, 2025.
Pride of America, which launched in 2005 and is the industry’s only ship that sails inter-island Hawaii voyages year-round from Honolulu, is poised to enter dry dock on May 3, 2025 and emerge on May 31, 2025.
“Delivering the best vacation experience for our guests, where they have the freedom and flexibility to do more of what they love is and will always continue to be our goal,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“By listening to guests’ feedback, we are excited to provide them with more to do on board starting this summer as Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe and Pride of America continues to offer the world’s only seven-day inter-island Hawaii voyages departing from Honolulu 52 weeks out of the year,” Herrera added.
Norwegian Epic’s dry dock, which was scheduled in 2023, will impact youngsters and adults alike. The ship’s adult-only Posh Beach Club will be replaced by the line’s popular Vibe Beach Club, and be expanded to feature another hot tub, private cabanas that guests can rent, and more lounge chairs.
For children, the ship’s Aqua Park will be upgraded and will replace the Splashgolf area. Eight staterooms will be added to Norwegian Epic, with some created as ocean view cabins and some as balcony cabins.
When she re-enters service on May 8, 2025, the 4,100-guest ship’s first sailing will be a 6-night “Mediterranean: Italy, France & Spain” voyage roundtrip from Rome and calling at Naples and Livorno, Italy; Barcelona; and Cannes, France.
The ship will then begin a series of 9- to 11-night cruises featuring destinations in Italy, Greece, and France. An 11-night itinerary departing on September 11, 2025, roundtrip from Rome, is due to visit Santorini, Athens, Mykonos, and Argostoli, Greece; along with Valletta, Malta; Messina, Sicily; Cannes, France; and Naples and Livorno, Italy.
Starbucks, More Staterooms Coming to Pride of America
When the 2,500-guest Pride of America emerges from dry dock she will have 12 more club balcony suites and three additional inside cabins.
Coffee lovers will be glad to know the ship will have a Starbucks location in the Capitol Atrium, and sports enthusiasts can enjoy the new pickleball court that will be added to the outdoor sports area.
Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean – The Differences
Spaces for the ship’s youth clubs also will be impacted by the renovation, which was announced in 2024. The Splash Academy, for kids 3 to 12, and Entourage, the teen area, both are being moved to the location previously home to the library, internet cafe, and chapel.
The library, along with a card room, will move to a space formerly occupied by the Shuffles Card Room.
Pride of America will resume her weekly inter-island voyages on June 7, 2025, sailing roundtrip from Honolulu and calling at the islands of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
The ship holds an enviable position in the Hawaiian Islands, since she is the only vessel able to call at multiple US ports without first having to call at an international destination. The ship can operate directly between the islands because she is US flagged.
Two Norwegian Cruise Ships Upgraded Before Launch of Summer Season