Next Norwegian Cruise Line ship will have massive water park, rappelling wall

They're calling it epic, and now we know why.

Norwegian Cruise Line is taking a page from the Royal Caribbean playbook with its next cruise ship, the Norwegian Epic, by loading it with unusual and at times groundbreaking decktop amusements such as a massive water park, a rappelling wall and a 33-foot-high 'extreme' rock climbing wall.

The industry's perennial underdog, which is announcing the decktop areas today in an online news conference, long has promised the massive vessel would break new ground for the line in both size and features. The line already has announced the 4,200-passenger ship, scheduled to debut in May 2010, will boast such innovations as curve-walled cabins and an ice bar.

At 150,000 tons, the Epic will be 60% larger than the largest NCL ship now at sea, and the Aqua Park the line is announcing is a sprawling affair with three major water slides among other features.

In an unusual twist, one of the Aqua Park's water slides, designed specifically for children, will zip straight through the ship's rock climbing wall. A more adventurous slide will twist and turn down three stories, and the biggest slide, dubbed the Epic Plunge, is billed as the only tube slide at sea of its kind. Passengers on the Epic Plunge will ride inner tubes down a 200-foot long tube into a bowl where centrifugal forces will spin them high on the wall for several turns before they splash down.

The Aqua Park also will include two main pools with arching water effects that illuminate at night; five whirlpools; a wading pool and a children’s Splash and Play Zone that features a kid's pool, whimsical sculptures, water sprays and effects, along with a kiddie slide.

The repelling wall NCL plans for the ship is an industry first, and the rock climbing wall -- a concept pioneered by Royal Caribbean -- will be one of the biggest at sea and accessible from two levels.

NCL also is announcing the Epic will have bowling alleys -- something the line pioneered in the industry several years ago and now offers on two ships. The line is expanding on the idea, offering bowling in two lounge venues on the Epic.

The line also is announcing the Epic will have 14 eateries -- the most of any ship at sea.

Currently under construction in Europe (click HERE for exclusive construction photos), the Epic is scheduled to sail in the Caribbean year-round after it debuts in the summer of 2010.

NCL originally ordered two Epic-sized ships for delivery in 2010, but earlier this year the line announced it had canceled one of the two orders with the shipyard, STX Europe. Epic now is the only NCL ship on order.

NCL says the ship will open for sale to the general public on May 20, when further details about its entertainment areas will be revealed.

For more information and brochures call 866-782-9838

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Walt Disney World Resort unveiled a new vision for Downtown Disney

Walt Disney World Resort unveiled a new vision for Downtown Disney, with new shopping, dining and other experiences including a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island. Also planned are numerous enhancements to Downtown Disney locations, as well as additional theming and storytelling brought to life by Walt Disney Imagineers. Over the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for clients. Downtown Disney will even get its own iconic attraction, in the form of a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet into the air to view Walt Disney World Resort. Other new experiences include: T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, a dinosaur-themed family eatery to debut this fall. Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will add to the growing collection of merchandise clients can personalize at Downtown Disney. E-brands Restaurants, an Orlando-based, multi-concept restaurant group, will premier its newest concept at Downtown Disney in spring 2009. The casual eatery will feature authentic Central and South American cuisine, specialty drinks and live music along the waterfront. To make way for the new offerings, the last day of operation for all of the clubs currently on Pleasure Island will be Sept. 27. Other locations on Pleasure Island, including Raglan Road, Fuego by Sosa Cigars, Curl by Sammy Duval, Orlando Harley-Davidson and outdoor food and beverage locations will remain open during the transition.

To complement these new experiences, many popular Downtown Disney locations will undergo enhancements. Beginning this summer, Portobello Yacht Club will be transformed into a Tuscan Country Trattoria. This fall, Goofy's Candy Company will add a special new room that will enable families to host one-of-a-kind birthday parties at Downtown Disney. The Marketplace Stage will be completely replaced with a larger, covered stage this fall to welcome even more entertainment to Downtown Disney and serve as a new premier venue for Disney Magic Music Days. Fulton's Crab House will update its interior fixtures and furnishings and exterior in spring 2009. Next year, Wolfgang Puck Café will update its interior fixtures and furnishings and enclose its patio with glass to enable guests to enjoy the outdoors year-round.