Norwegian Epic to Debut Enhancements Ahead of European Season

The Norwegian Epic will debut noticeable enhancements ahead of its upcoming summer season in Europe, Norwegian Cruise Line said in a press release.

According to the company, the 2010-built ship is currently undergoing a three-week dry dock, which is set to end on May 8, 2025.

Renovations include eight new cabins, a new hot tub on Deck 18, in addition to a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park that replaces Splashgolf.

The new space provides more fun-in-the-sun activities for adults and children alike, the company said.

The ship’s Vibe Beach Club is being expanded to offer an additional hot tub, as well as more lounge chairs. Replacing the Posh Beach Club, the adults-only outdoor deck will also offer new private cabanas.

The drydock plans also include the addition of eight new staterooms – a combination of balcony and ocean-view cabins.

“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,” he added.

After completing its drydock, the Norwegian Epic launches a series of cruises to the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles.

The ten- and 11-night cruises sail from Civitavecchia, the port of Italy’s capital city, Rome, and visit a wide range of destinations, including Mykonos and Santorini.

According to Norwegian, the itineraries also sail to historic cities such as Naples, Catania, and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy.

After its summer deployment in Europe, the Norwegian Epic sets sail to the Caribbean for cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Southern Caribbean itineraries include visits to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Video- Reindeer Sledge Ride with the Sami. 

On a recent voyage on the Ambassador Ambission, we had an Amazing time visiting the Sami Tribe in 
Øvre Alta, its about 1 hour ride to thier campsite/village where we meet the local familys in the tribe and got a warm greating, kids were sledging down hill and with it being a Sunday the other members of the tribe went to a prity church just acrosss the road from where we were dropped off,

We were split into 3 groups because the reindeer were set up to pull 6 sleighs at a time, so we went into the traditional Lavvu tent with a large, warm fire with coffee pots heating up. Reindeer hides covered the floor to sit on, and benches were along the sides. After having been given some coffee/tea and a slice of homemade cake, we sampled Reindeer meat and got a brief culture talk about how the Sami Tribe roam the area with their herds and about the clothes they wear to keep themselves warm in the freezing cold, and it was cold on this day, minus 6 degrees with a windfactor dropping it even further.

Dawn and I getting photobombed by a Reindeer

After the visit to the Lavvu, it was our turn for the Reindeer Sledge ride. We climbed onto the sledge and had fabulous blankets covering our legs and chest, and the mandatory photo taken in the sledge, and getting photobombed by a cute Reindeer. The sledge ride started, and we were glad of the blanket as we went through the snow around the camp and the area adjacent. The lead Reindeer had a bell around its neck, and this made all the others follow that reindeer. It was quite a smooth ride with the odd bump and slide in the snow, but it was worth it to create this lifelong memory, and I loved every minute.

After that Amazing 

sledge ride, we were invited to try our luck doing a laso on some Reindeer antlers, and after the demo, it looked quite easy, but with everything, there’s a technique for throwing the laso. After a few attempts, some of which we will never mention,  we got the hang of the throw and distance, and we could laso the antlers quite consistently.
There are other facities avaiable such as a shop that sell hand made goods by the local Sami including bracelets, necklets and even Anter knifes. There are Toilets available 
The Sami are a wonderful tribe, and their outfits make any photo opportunity look a lot better. Add a reindeer, and it’s a perfect Kodak moment.
I have done a quick video of the ride, which shows the reindeer and the photobomber doing the same on the video, 

Click the image or follow this link to view the short video. Thank you.https://youtu.be/dQaqUuCUOrM?si=jDaGDOobJZrefeKj

AIDAdiva Wraps Up Final Cruise Ahead of Evolution Refit

Now set to undergo its AIDA Evolution, the AIDAdiva recently completed a final cruise in the Western Mediterranean.

Wrapping up its winter season in the region, the 2007-built vessel returned to Palma de Mallorca on Feb. 2, 2025.

As part of the seven-night itinerary, the AIDAdiva visited destinations in France, Spain and Italy, including Marseille, Barcelona, Civitavecchia and La Spezia.

The 2,030-guest ship is now set to undergo an extensive refurbishment at the Chantier Naval de Marseille in France.

As part of its seven-week drydock overhaul, the AIDAdiva is scheduled to get new public areas, in addition to refreshed staterooms.

AIDA is also updating the ship’s food and beverage offerings, which will include a greater variety of restaurants and lounges.

Other changes coming to the AIDAdiva include the addition of new suites and updated family features, as well as a complete redesign of the Theatrium.

AIDA’s unique combination of theatre and atrium will emerge with new seating, new bars and a fresh colour scheme.

After completing the project, the AIDAdiva is scheduled to welcome guests back onboard on Mar. 23, 2025.

Sailing from Civitavecchia, a port near Italy’s capital city, Rome, the ship kicks off a spring deployment in the Western Mediterranean.

The cruise program includes a series of seven-night itineraries to Italy and Malta that feature visits to destinations including Catania, Syracuse, Naples, Palermo, Valletta and Olbia.

In mid-April, the AIDAdiva starts a repositioning cruise to Germany for a summer season in Northern Europe.

Sailing to Scandinavia and the Baltic, the ship is scheduled to offer cruises departing from Warnemunde through early November.

As part of AIDA’s Evolution refit program, the AIDAluna is also scheduled to visit the Chantier Naval de Marseille in October 2025, followed by the AIDAbella in January 2026.