• Miami Herald, Monday, May 10, 2010 10:49 AM

The Norwegian Epic, a balcony-laden ship that can sail with 4,100 passengers, will make its debut this summer by hosting Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks in New York City, Martha Brannigan reports. NBC will broadcast the show live on national television.

Kevin Sheehan, CEO of the parent of Norwegian Cruise Line, says that the introduction is no accident; the ship's whole focus is unabashed entertainment. The razzle and dazzle will include the Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams, Legends in Concert, 19 restaurants and many night spots, including Spice H2O, where a daytime pool floor morphs into a nighttime, adults-only dance floor with a beach-club theme.

"This is a brand that, to me, really has a lot of value that has never fully been realized," the blunt-spoken, red-headed Irishman from New York tells Brannigan. He prods managers to cut to the chase. "You gotta talk to me like a baby," he says with a strong New York accent. "Make it simple. If you can't make it simple, don't come in here.'"

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