While stage acts like Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams, Second City and Legends in Concert have already been booked to perform, the cruise line has started a special talent contest to search for additional performers.

The "Search for the Epic Star" contest continues through April 25, and is presented in collaboration with USA Today. Contestants may enter by posting a one-minute video of their "epic" talent to epicstar.usatoday.com.

A panel including Neil Goldberg of Cirque Productions, Tim Aumiller of Blue Man Group, Beth Kligerman of Second City and Brian Brigner of Legends in Concert will select eight semi-finalists, whose videos will be displayed at cruiselog.usatoday.com throughout May, with two videos being shown per week. The public may cast their vote from these selections June 1-13.

The grand prize winner will be selected by the judges from the top three semi-finalists, and announced June 18. The two remaining semi-finalists and the grand prize winner will be invited to participate in the Epic's inaugural festivities, and the grand prize winner will perform on the ship's inaugural cruise.

According to the Cruise Line's press notes, "Singers, musicians, dancers, jugglers, comics, rappers and more in groups of one to four performers who are 21 years of age and older and reside in the U.S. or Canada are eligible."

— Thomas Peter