Norwegian Cruise Line Sets the Mood for Love

October 21, 2009 — -- And you thought Princess was the Love Boat line.

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that some cabins on its much-ballyhooed next ship, the Norwegian Epic, will have a "love setting" for lighting that bathes the room in a red glow.

The specialized lighting option will be available in Epic's studio cabins -- a cluster of 128 interior rooms built around a communal, two-story living area.

The love setting is one of four mood-enhancing lighting options planned for the cabins. The others: blue for calm, white and a rainbow setting. The specialized settings will be controled from a panel on cabin walls.

The studio cabin concept is one of several innovations planned for the massive, 153,000-ton ship, which debuts in June. Aimed at a budget crowd, the cabins are just 100 square feet but boast an ultra-modern design and large, round windows that look out onto the corridor. The exclusive, key card-accessed communal area, called the Living Room (photo to right), is designed as a place to unwind with lounge seating, a bar, two large TV screens and a dedicated concierge.

Bigger than all but a handful of Royal Caribbean ships, Epic will be more than 60% larger than the largest NCL ship currently at sea and dwarf the biggest vessels operated by such big-ship lines as Carnival, Princess and Celebrity.

With room for 4,200 passengers at double occupancy -- more when third and fourth berths in cabins are taken into account -- the 19-deck giant will be second only to Royal Caribbean's soon-to-debut, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas in capacity. It'll also boast such groundbreaking features as cabins with curved walls and adults-only, Vegas-style nightspots that come with a cover charge.