With its maiden voyage weeks away, LYNN HOUGHTON enjoys a sneak preview of NCL's innovative new ship

NORWEGIAN Cruise Line revolutionised cruising with its Freestyle options that allow guests to choose where, when and with whom they dine. Now the company is set to raise the bar again with some exciting innovations on board its new ship, Norwegian Epic. The liner features the first ice bar at sea, a big-top dining experience and cabins for the solo cruisers among its 4,200 passengers.

FOR FAMILIES
There's a mind-boggling amount of activities for families. Topping the list is the Aqua Park with the largest "bowl slide" at sea. Brave passengers can jump on to an inner tube, plummet 200ft into a bowl and spin round for several turns. They can also don a helmet and shimmy up a 33ft extreme rock-climbing wall, descend the first abseiling wall at sea and enjoy six bowling lanes in two venues. Most importantly, though, there are three children's and teens' activity areas, a disco with an interactive light-up dance floor and a karaoke stage. Kids' TV favourites Dora The Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants also make appearances.

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FOR COUPLES
The 46 Villas on the top two decks are the perfect plush cabins for two and are reached by a private elevator. They form part of the largest suite complex at sea, which features a bar, restaurants and pool. Each Villa has a queen-sized bed, two bathrooms with a separate shower and even butler and concierge services. A couple's massage in the Mandara Spa is the ultimate in togetherness, or stay in one of the Spa Suites and relax in your own hot tub.

FOR SINGLES
Singles are often put off cruising because of the additional single supplement. There's none on this ship. The Norwegian Epic features 128 Studios for solo travellers who will get exclusive key access to a singles-only lounge. The ship's Spice H2O club will also be a favourite for singletons looking to let their hair down. A swimming pool with a massive plasma screen by day transforms into an Ibizainspired dance floor at night.

ENTERTAINMENT
The Blue Man Group will be at the Epic Theatre year-round with their show-stopping combination of comedy, music and theatre.

Some of the greatest celebrity impersonators will also be on board paying homage to legendary stars such as Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Madonna and Marilyn Monroe.

For those who adore the circus, Norwegian Epic will have the first big top at sea. The colourful Spiegel Tent is a unique dining venue that hosts Cirque Dreams And Dinner each night - a mix of acrobatics, song and dance in which performers suspend themselves upside down in order to ring the dinner bell, announce the next course or even pour a cocktail, interacting with the diners to create a one-of-a-kind show.

Meanwhile the ship's casino offers games such as poker, blackjack and roulette. For first timers to the tables free gaming lessons are available. There are also hundreds of slot machines.

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DINING
Foodies will be in their element with the extensive choice of more than 20 dining venues. At Teppanyaki, chefs slice, dice and cook food at your table; while Shanghai's is a traditional Chinese restaurant with noodles, wok dishes and dim sum all prepared in an open kitchen.

Other great choices include the Wasabi sushi restaurant, an Argentinian steakhouse and a New York-style supper club called The Manhattan Room.

Norwegian Cruise Lines (0845 201 8900/www.ncl.co.uk) offers an eight night fly-cruise from Southampton to New York (Norwegian Epic's maiden voyage) from £1,002 per adult (two sharing an inside stateroom) and £622 per child (aged 2-11 sharing with two adults), full board excluding speciality restaurants and beverages. Price includes return flight from New York to Heathrow.

Departs Southampton June 24.

Norwegian Epic will be sailing from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean throughout the year from July 17 taking in destinations such as St Maarten and Nassau in the Bahamas (Eastern itinerary) and Costa Maya, Mexico and Roatan in Honduras (Western).

A nine-night Western Caribbean fly-cruise from £1,079 per adult (two sharing an inside stateroom) and £709 per child. Price includes return flights from Miami to Heathrow. Departs July 23.