TO LISTEN TO CURRENT OR PAST SHOWS, CHECK OUT THE LET'S TALK TRAVEL PODCAST PAGE! 
Every week "Let's Talk Travel" host Sandy Fenton takes the audience to a different vacation destination with the travel experts sitting in the studios as guest co-hosts. 
JULY 2010 - NEW YORK CITY SAILINGI've had the great pleasure of being part of several cruise ship inaugurals over the years. With all the industry and media hype surrounding the brand new "Norwegian Epic", I decided to do a special "Let's Talk Travel with AAA" broadcast onboard this magnificent over-the-top ship and in doing so had the opportunity to interview ( both on and off the air) Kevin Sheehan, the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.
A soft-spoken gentleman with a great smile, Sheehan brings a diverse professional background (co-founder of Spanish speaking television network, Telemundo ; college professor ; Avis & Budget Rent a Car executive) to the 11 ships making up the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.
SF - You became the CEO of NCL in 2008, how has your life changed since then?
KS - In every way possible. It's a challenge and it's also been great fun. My greatest dilemma is where to live. I have homes in Manhattan, Miami and the Hamptons - which is for sale by the way.
SF - How did you choose the country music superstar Reba McEntire as Godmother of Epic?
KS - A year or so ago I was onboard one of our ships with my family and Reba was also onboard with about 30 members of her family. We kept running into each other and got to talking and she said how much she and her family loved cruising "freestyle" onboard our ships. The lightbulb went off and the rest is history - and we are so proud to have such a great lady as the Godmother of Epic.
SF - How would you explain "freestyle cruising" to the readers?
KS - It's simple. It gives our guests the freedom to create their own schedules. To do what they want to do while they are on vacation. Dine when and where and with whom they want. Dress the way they want for dinner. We have 20 different lounges (including the first true Ice Bar at Sea) and 20 different dining options onboard Epic giving our guests more choice, freedom and flexibility. And how about our entertainment Sandy - we have the exclusive for the Blue Man Group , Cirque Dreams & Dinner ; Legends in Concert and if that's not enough, we have Nickelodeon at Sea for kids and families.
SF - Norwegian Epic has so many exclusives and first at sea offerings. Other than the Blue Man Group , Cirque Dreams, Nickelodeon and the Ice Bar - what else can we only find onboard Epic?
KS - Well, how about the largest outdoor TV/movie screen (323 inches) , the longest waterslides (760 ft.) and longest slide (295 ft) ; the largest crystal LED chandelier ever designed ; accommodations specifically built for solo cruisers...I believe Epic is the most innovative ship ever at sea.
SF - And last, but not least - your words of advice to a potential Epic cruiser?
KS - Be prepared to have your socks knocked off and the time of your life - at a great value for your vacation dollar.
NORWEGIAN EPIC FACTS -
Entered service in June 2010 with 19-decks and carrying 4,100 guests at double occupancy with 1,708 crew. Epic is 153,000 gross tons , 133 feet wide and 1,081 feet long. Epic's upcoming itineraries beginning July 10th - 7 day alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrip Miami.
