The Cruise Explorer

The new Norwegian Epic is going to be very cool. So cool that it even has the very first ice bar at sea!

Wrap yourself in faux fur and step into the room that’s kept at 17°F! Inspired by the original ice hotels in Scandinavia, The Ice Bar is one of only 14 in the world and the only true ice bar at sea. Enter a glistening, frozen, fantasyland where the bar, the walls, the tables, the stools, even the life-size sculptures are made out of ice. If you get chilly, another vodka may help

There’s lots more on the Norwegian Epic in terms of entertainment, though. You’d have to travel the world to experience all of the unique hotspots aboard her. Enjoy exclusive bottle service and dancing under the stars at an open-air nightclub. Party alongside the pool on white-cushioned daybeds. From French Riviera chic and Ibiza style to Miami trendy and Vegas flair, the nightlife aboard Norwegian Epic has it all. During the day, the exhilarating Aqua Park features multiple slides with multiple thrills. Play Wii on a two-story screen or bowl on one of the ship’s six alleys. Or take on a challenge at the sports complex and rock-climbing wall. The fun never ends!

“Cold ironing” is the funny term used to describe the process of providing cruise ships with electrical power from shore so that their diesel generators can be shut down, reducing pollution. On Monday, Vancouver, British Columbia, became the first port in Canada to offer this service to ships that have the equipment to take advantage of it.

The main user initially will be Princess Cruises, which has outfitted 9 ships to use shore power. Princess’ shore power program made history when it debuted in Juneau, Alaska in the summer of 2001. It expanded to Seattle in summer 2005 and is planned to roll out in other ports that have made commitments to the technology, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Shore power uses electrical power transmitted from a landside transformer to the vessel via four 3½-inch diameter flexible electrical cables (see photos at Flickr). The actual cable connection on a vessel is a traditional, though quite large, plug and socket. The length of time needed to connect a ship to shore power and shut down the vessel’s diesel generator is approximately 40 minutes. In Vancouver, the electricity is clean hydroelectric power produced by BC Hydro.

The $9-million project is the result of a partnership between the federal and provincial governments, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, BC Hydro and Port Metro Vancouver. It will result in a reduction of about 39,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Much more information about the technology can be found at www.coldironing.us