What will 4,200 passengers be like?

[lakerlotz]

Please advise--would love to sail Epic; but, will there be long lines everywhere? Crowded swimming pools? Will I be lost all the time? As a first-time cruiser, should I choose a smaller ship? Thanks for your help.

[Druke I]

I for one will never know - as I will not book on any behemoth ship!

[maggie5555]

My first cruise a year ago I was on the RCL Mariner of the Seas...I believe it holds about 1,000 paassengers less than the Epic. As a first time cruiser I did not find it that hard to get around and the only time we found it crowded was waiting to get on transfers to islands...buffets etc were all manageable.

The swimming pool area wasn't too bad but the chair hog thing was in evidence:eek: but we did find seats....

We did have a balcony room and enjoyed the privacy we had there. It was an aft room and it was great!

We loved it and can't wait to go on Epic! We have booked a Spa deluxe balcony...

[AFT_LOVER]

to hold 4200 people, so plenty of stuff to do for everyone without long lines.

We sailed Princess when Grand premiered and they were similar to Epic. Plenty of room for everyone, large showroom to hold half twice a night for shows. Epic Theatre is 600, so BMG will do many shows for everyone since tickets will be in staterooms, so far for you to see them. You can change with other people.

Many may choose not to see BMG & go to the show atop the ship with the movie screen & band. Other love to go to bed after a big day of excursions.

So try it & enjoy it. I do December 2010 in a balcony spa with 24/7 spa access. Talk about being spoled {:-)


Please advise--would love to sail Epic; but, will there be long lines everywhere? Crowded swimming pools? Will I be lost all the time? As a first-time cruiser, should I choose a smaller ship? Thanks for your help.

[LJH1]

We were booked for 1/2011 but decided to cancel after too many negatives. The last was when I realized that the aft balconies were "cut out" and not tiered like the other ship, therefore very little sun if any, plus we had one of these on the Pearl last month and when the people next to you were on there balcony the sound just echoed.

[time2cruise1]

We were booked for 1/2011 but decided to cancel after too many negatives. The last was when I realized that the aft balconies were "cut out" and not tiered like the other ship, therefore very little sun if any, plus we had one of these on the Pearl last month and when the people next to you were on there balcony the sound just echoed.

Not saying this ship is for you but the aft balconies are not framed (cut out), There are a few aft on the port and starboard side that are framed but none of tha aft facing are.
http://camembertaroulette.free.fr/album/photos/norwegianepic/640/Norwegian%20Epic%20-%20Loire%20-%2011%20juillet%202009%20(08).JPG

[pokeypoke]

Once you are onboard the ship, I doubt you are going to realize there are 4,200 other passangers among you. There are about 20 eating establishments to choose from and not all 4,200 people are going to choose the same restaurant to eat in every night. Those staying in the courtyard complex have their own private club/restaurant and pool. There is an Aqua Park, a kid's pool and an adults only pool so, the pools shouldn't be much more crowded than a regular pool area on any other ship (not all 4,200 people are going to be at the pools at the same time). There will be many bars, clubs and entertainment venues to choose from. There will be many shops to browse, many sport activities to choose from, the spa center, kid's clubs, casino and even places tucked away to read a book, play cards or play games.

Yes, you may have to wait in line for some things but it's not like you are in a concert venue with 40,000 screaming fans or visiting on the 4th of July with 55,000 + people crammed together inside of Disneyland:eek:!

[coaster]

Dining will not be high density as a large amount of space has been designed for this purpose compared to other newbuilds. The emphasis on variety in dining at extra surcharge restaurants as well as cover charges in nightclubs is a major part of Epic's design. It can only lead to less space in public areas where no surcharge is involved such as pools and other non-revenue generating areas. Basically, you will experience less density the more you spend onboard. On a first cruise, I would pick an older ship that was not designed to be so dependent on onboard spending

[time2cruise1]

Dining will not be high density as a large amount of space has been designed for this purpose compared to other newbuilds. The emphasis on variety in dining at extra surcharge restaurants as well as cover charges in nightclubs is a major part of Epic's design. It can only lead to less space in public areas where no surcharge is involved such as pools and other non-revenue generating areas. Basically, you will experience less density the more you spend onboard. On a first cruise, I would pick an older ship that was not designed to be so dependent on onboard spending

Interesting twist not sure I agree. I see the most free public space options of any NCL ship - massive pool area, Spice H20 a huge aft adults area, Taste, Manhattan club, Comedy club, theater, public sun decks on 18, Osheehan's , Bliss Nightclub, Fat Cats jazz and blues.......

The same pay spaces as any other NCL ship with the addition of an ice bar that holds 25 and the Spiegle Tent with a dinner show from Cirque Dreams.

[pokeypoke]

Dining will not be high density as a large amount of space has been designed for this purpose compared to other newbuilds. The emphasis on variety in dining at extra surcharge restaurants as well as cover charges in nightclubs is a major part of Epic's design. It can only lead to less space in public areas where no surcharge is involved such as pools and other non-revenue generating areas. Basically, you will experience less density the more you spend onboard. On a first cruise, I would pick an older ship that was not designed to be so dependent on onboard spending

Only the Ice Bar will have a cover charge, which will include 2 drinks. The Ice Bar is a bar and not a nightclub, and only holds (I believe) 25 people. All other bars and nightclubs (with the exception of Posh/Epic Club) are at no extra charge and are included in your fare. Posh/Epic Club are reserved only for guests with access to the courtyard complex. As for restaurants, yes, there are many surcharge venues to choose from including Speigal Tent dinner show but there are also MANY no charge restaurants to choose from as well. IMHO, I think Epic/NCL fare prices are very reasonable when compared to most other cruise lines and I do not mind paying a small extra fee to eat in a specialty restaurant. Even if I ate every night in a surcharge restaurant, I would still be coming out ahead (money wise) if I were to book the same category cabin aboard DCL or RCCL's Oasis of the Sea. Have you seen all the surcharge restaurants OOTS has? They range in price from ala carte pricing to $35 pp.

[LJH1]

Not saying this ship is for you but the aft balconies are not framed (cut out), There are a few aft on the port and starboard side that are framed but none of tha aft facing are.

Maybe I should have said that they were not tiered as on other ships, but I stll say the voices from other balconies will carry across a few decks because the way they are closed in, voices will just bounce off the metal roof walls etc.

[garycarla]

For your FIRST cruise? I think I would go something that is not so big and has been operating for awhile.

[akupupule]

lots of questions about this ship....lots to like and lots to dislike. We are seriously considering Epic because of the entertainment venues, restaurant options, price , etc. HOWEVER we hate the cabin layouts, and smaller sizes of the cabins. I agree with several other posters who suggested for a 1st cruise consider a more conventional one, such as RCL's Freedom class ships, or even the smaller Voyager class ships. Plenty to do, with decent to excellent entertainment, and easy to find your way around. My experience with crowds has been good with the Freedom class ships, and not bad with Voyager class. Just have to pick your times and avoid the crowds. The breakfast buffets are typically crowded, so enjoy a room service breakfast.

[livetheatre]

Just have to pick your times and avoid the crowds. The breakfast buffets are typically crowded, so enjoy a room service breakfast.

That is one of the things we did NOT do and I wish we would have...wasted a breakfast on the balcony! Next time we will for sure.

[Cruise_With_Me]

lots of questions about this ship....lots to like and lots to dislike. We are seriously considering Epic because of the entertainment venues, restaurant options, price , etc. HOWEVER we hate the cabin layouts, and smaller sizes of the cabins. I agree with several other posters who suggested for a 1st cruise consider a more conventional one, such as RCL's Freedom class ships, or even the smaller Voyager class ships. Plenty to do, with decent to excellent entertainment, and easy to find your way around. My experience with crowds has been good with the Freedom class ships, and not bad with Voyager class. Just have to pick your times and avoid the crowds. The breakfast buffets are typically crowded, so enjoy a room service breakfast.

A more conventional one like the Freedom Class? Voyager Class? You know the Freedom Class is still bigger than than the Epic don't you?

Why not suggest the Pearl, Jewel, Dawn or outside NCL maybe the Ruby Princess, Crown Princess etc.?

Let me ask you a question though. As a dedicated RCCL cruiser why would you not pick Oasis. It has lots of entertainment and lots of food venues.

[sjbdtz]

I think it's most interesting that akupupule came in saying that people should try a "conventional" ship like Freedom or Voyager class.....

That sounds like they're shilling for RCI.


Or perhaps they meant "conventional" such as Dawn Class, or Jewel Class?????????

[rogerc1944]

We'll be on the Epic's maiden voyage. We booked a balcony cabin but don't know as yet where it will be located. I'm sure that there will be some glitches in service while things are worked out on a new ship. Yet again, this is only a one week cruise and will beat flying from England to NY. Imagine, no jet lag!

[sjbdtz]

We'll be on the Epic's maiden voyage. We booked a balcony cabin but don't know as yet where it will be located. I'm sure that there will be some glitches in service while things are worked out on a new ship. Yet again, this is only a one week cruise and will beat flying from England to NY. Imagine, no jet lag!

Are you on the maiden voyage from Rotterdam to Southhampton? Or are you on the maider transatlantic from Southhampton to New York?

We have a Roll Call going for the TA.... come join us!

[Cruise_With_Me]

I think it's most interesting that akupupule came in saying that people should try a "conventional" ship like Freedom or Voyager class.....

That sounds like they're shilling for RCI.


Or perhaps they meant "conventional" such as Dawn Class, or Jewel Class?????????


The posting record clearly indicates RCCL cruiser. It is ironic how RCCL cruisers trash NCL and the Epic while their own line cuts back left and right, stomps on their loyal cruisers and their new flagship can't even get their featured Aquatheater show going and that after months of practicing in Fort Lauderdale and plenty of practice on an empty trans-atlantic and a gazillion pre-inaugurals.

[fin]

The real fun will be off-loading, along with 4,200 other passengers onto someplace like St Thomas or Cozumel to join 18,000 other people pouring off five other ships.

[Dadmech]

The real fun will be off-loading, along with 4,200 other passengers onto someplace like St Thomas or Cozumel to join 18,000 other people pouring off five other ships.

Good question, how has Freedom of the Seas (http://www.nauticalcities.com/cruiseship.php?sid=148&ship=Freedom%20of%20the%20Seas&shipoperator=Royal%20Caribbean%20International) been handling it with 3634 passengers?

[negc]

Whether or not you will feel crowded on this or any ship depends on the skills of those who designed it. If they have established good traffic patterns and the line properly schedules activities that will disperse the guests throughout the ship and not cause them to all descend on the same areas at the same time, you shouldn't notice the numbers at all. Some smaller ships that are not as well designed as the largest ships often feel more crowded even though they carry fewer passengers. You can also compare passenger/space ratios to give you at least some idea of the prospects that the ship will feel crowded.:)

[mom2tcdx2]

Well I know the Carnival Dream did a good job over Christmas with the number of passengers. We had the largest number of passengers that week of any Carnival ship (believe it was around 4400) never noticed crowding, waits for lines never seemed to be more than 10 minutes if there was one. I would think the Epic should be fine also.

[Curtzilla]

Final Bingo should be interesting.

[erdoran]

DH and I were on Carnival Liberty Christmas week 2009, 3200 pax more or less. We found it very crowded! You had to show up at the pools - ANY of them - before 8:30 am to get a chair within sight of the pool on sea days. We'd do buffets off-hours so we didn't have to fight the crowds--embarkation day at 2 pm it probably took us 20 mins to get our stir fry, before we discovered the premade sections. I waited a good 15 mins at the burrito bar. We rarely got in any of the hot tubs, including the two big ones at the adult pool because they were always almost full when we wanted to go in. The adult pool itself wasn't too crowded--that is, if you could get to it through all the chairs with people and the reserved chairs that no one would show up for! The hot tubs near the general pool were even more crowded! Even the sun decks would be full before 9 am. We couldn't get close to the midnight buffet on New Year's eve, again because of the crowds.

Hopefully Epic will be different. One of the reasons I booked the spa suite was actually to have that private area, because after our experience on Libery with crowds there is no way we are going to fight over deck chairs again!

[BaltimoreChickadee]

DH and I were on Carnival Liberty Christmas week 2009,


ok, maybe this sounds dumb, but i see so many people writing DH. what does that stand for? am i missing something? ;)

[erdoran]

No problem:

DH = Dear Husband (at least I think :> I know it means husband something or other)
DD = Dear Daughter
DS = Dear Son

etc, etc

I just guessed at all this, so if someone knows the real defs, please post!

[BaltimoreChickadee]

No problem:

DH = Dear Husband (at least I think :> I know it means husband something or other)
DD = Dear Daughter
DS = Dear Son

etc, etc

I just guessed at all this, so if someone knows the real defs, please post!


i think you are right! haha! ok, good to know! :)

[awatt]

Good question, how has Freedom of the Seas (http://www.nauticalcities.com/cruiseship.php?sid=148&ship=Freedom%20of%20the%20Seas&shipoperator=Royal%20Caribbean%20International) been handling it with 3634 passengers?

Sailed Freedom last year and I don't recall any issues offloading in Cozumel or Jamaica. the only line I remember was to get the tenders back to the ship on Labadee, which is now fixed by a dock built for the ship.

We did not feel crowded on Freedom, nor did we experience long lines or congestion. they did an excellent job of spreading pax throughout the ship. The entire operation on the ship was quite smooth.

BTW, have been on 12 0r 13 NCL cruises, and I enjoy NCL very much, so I am not an RCCL "shill". It is quite possible to enjoy more than 1 cruise line!

[MiamiSpartan]

We've travelled on the Freedom class ships on RCCL twice, and frankly, after the initial couple of hours that everyone is wandering around waiting for their rooms to be ready, you never even realize there are that many people on the ship...
I've seen worse crowd control on some of the smaller Carnival ships than I've seen on the huge ships...
I'm sure NCL already has a great plan figured out!

[nets33]

DH and I were on Carnival Liberty Christmas week 2009, 3200 pax more or less. We found it very crowded! You had to show up at the pools - ANY of them - before 8:30 am to get a chair within sight of the pool on sea days.

That's been true on ALL of the cruises that I've been on and the ships I've been on range from 1,000 pax to 3,000+. If you're willing to not be right near or within sight of the pool there are plenty of chairs. I actually prefer to be somewhat near the pool but not right next to it and have never had a problem finding chairs.

We'd do buffets off-hours so we didn't have to fight the crowds--embarkation day at 2 pm it probably took us 20 mins to get our stir fry, before we discovered the premade sections. I waited a good 15 mins at the burrito bar.
I prefer to avoid the buffets or, as you did, go off-hours. There are so many places to eat on the ship that it is sometimes easier to run down a few decks to get food from another restaurant than to just go to the buffet! Plus I feel like I get my food much faster. Even better is to get the food at one of the poolside grills.

It sounds like your cruise was a NYE cruise which I expect was probably full capacity and everyone was wanting to celebrate.

The bigger the ship they build the more the engineers spend time looking at crowd control. They simply have to. I've been reading some of the reviews of the Oasis and have heard no concerns about crowds on that ship and it's bigger that Epic. I have no concerns about crowd control on the Epic, there is so much to do and see!

[time2cruise1]

I've been reading some of the reviews of the Oasis and have heard no concerns about crowds on that ship and it's bigger that Epic. I have no concerns about crowd control on the Epic, there is so much to do and see!

It still confuses me why everyone compares the Epic to the Oasis. They are not even close to being in the same catagory. Keep in mind the Epic is just a bit smaller then the "Freedom" class from RCL.

Design and passenger flow will be critical on the Epic. Smaller then a Freedom class but with 600 more passengers at double occupancy. Those 600 represent on more full show in the theater and almost another full turn of the 2 main dining rooms.

Let you all know how it works in 145 days from the middle of the Atlantic. At least they are holding back cabins and not booking the TA full for the Epic's first longer cruise.

[flashdog_1]

At least they are holding back cabins and not booking the TA full for the Epic's first longer cruise. [/COLOR]

How do you know this?

Perhaps they are giving cabins to VIPs they want to review the voyage and those cabins will NOT be empty.

anyone?

[nets33]

It still confuses me why everyone compares the Epic to the Oasis. They are not even close to being in the same catagory. Keep in mind the Epic is just a bit smaller then the "Freedom" class from RCL.

I wasn't comparing the two ships, I clearly stated that Oasis was bigger than the Epic. I was using it as an example of how the bigger ships are not experiencing the traffic flows that many seem to be concerned about.

I think the big difference between Epic and other lines such as RCCL is that NCL has the Freestyle dining which means that you don't have half the passengers (2,000+) all trying to get to one or two dining rooms for dinner seating. That itself allows for a much better passenger flow as we can eat "freestyle". :)

[I'mHooked]

Only comparrison I have is the Independence with 3600. Regarding crowding we had no problems with ports or on the ship. Embarcation was sooth and disembarcation was smooth but when we got through customs to get a cab the line was the longest I have seen. We were in line about 30 minutes. Was it the ship, the number of people, the port...I am not sure. I would definately do it again.

I also looked at Epic for a future cruise and the number of people would not scare me. As this is your first cruise I hope you do not book when it first comes out. I would hate to have you turned off because of problems on board. Any new ship is going to have problems whether it's service or food or whatever. If you decide to choose another ship I woul dsuggest you don't go to the smallest ones unless you know you don't have any issues with sea sickness. You can always take pills or get a patch but it's not the best way to venture into something new.

I would also suggest a midship cabin and make sure you pick a cabin with cabins above and below you so you don't hear noise from public areas.

Whatever you choose have a GREAT cruise. I hope you love it. :D

[jmca110]

The real fun will be off-loading, along with 4,200 other passengers onto someplace like St Thomas or Cozumel to join 18,000 other people pouring off five other ships.

I have to say that I just came back from an OOOS cruise to St. Thomas and St. Maarten and it is no fun on shore. It was so crowded in St. Maarten you felt like you were being herded. They did have two water taxis going so there wasn't much of a wait to get back to the ship.
Just booked the Epic for Jan/11 and we are excited. Haven't been on an NCL yet!

[negc]

I have to say that I just came back from an OOOS cruise to St. Thomas and St. Maarten and it is no fun on shore. It was so crowded in St. Maarten you felt like you were being herded. They did have two water taxis going so there wasn't much of a wait to get back to the ship.
Just booked the Epic for Jan/11 and we are excited. Haven't been on an NCL yet!

I've had similar experiences in St. Maarten when we were there on much smaller ships so I'm not sure how much of the crowding can be attributed to Oasis. There really isn't much space in downtown Phillipsburg to allow the cruise passengers to spread out anyway, so a feeling of overcrowding is common to that location. Most of the Oasis reviews I have read seem to indicate that crowding was not a problem either on board or ashore. We were in Georgetown, Grand Cayman on a ship with a much smaller capacity then either Epic or Oasis and the crowds from the five or six ships that were in the harbor that day made the downtown area a zoo and shortly after we arrived in town, we turned around and took the next tender back to the ship.:)

[jmca110]

I did not enjoy our St.Maarten experience, even though I got some jewelry out of the deal! Unless we wanted to go to a specific store I wouldn't get off again.

[time2cruise1]

I did not enjoy our St.Maarten experience, even though I got some jewelry out of the deal! Unless we wanted to go to a specific store I wouldn't get off again.

St Maarten remains one of my favorite ports but you have to get out of Phillipsburg (a strip mall disguised as a town)

[JohnIreland]

Keep in mind the Epic is just a bit smaller then the "Freedom" class from RCL.


Anyone know how the two ships compare on floor area ?

I know the freedom are slightly bigger, but they have all that dead space above the royal promenade.

[ddakrt]

Anyone know how the two ships compare on floor area ?

I know the freedom are slightly bigger, but they have all that dead space above the royal promenade.

I just looked at the two ship's deckplans and here's my very unscientific take on this. :D

Assuming each deck of the ships are relative close in floor space...

The Freedom has the following decks dedicated to public areas:
- Deck 2 - 25% (0.25) of this deck is public space.
- Deck 3 - Mostly public areas with about 75 outside cabins. Lets assume this is one full deck. (1)
- Deck 4 - Full deck (1)
- Deck 5 - Full deck (1)
- Deck 11 (lido) - Full deck (1)
- Deck 12 - Partial deck, open to lido below. Also assume this is a full deck (1)
- Deck 13 - Viking Crown Lounge and sports area, 1/3 (0.33) deck.

**Of noting is that the open spaces in the Royal Promenade only takes up spaces on cabin decks which wouldn't have been public spaces to begin with. So no real lose there.

Total decks as public spaces: 5.58

The Epic has the following decks dedicated to public areas (excluding the Studio's Living Room, Posh, and Private Courtyard areas):
- Deck 5 - 2/3 (0.66)
- Deck 6 - Full deck (1)
- Deck 7 - Full deck (1)
- Deck 14 - Spa, kids area, fitness centre, and La Cucina. 2/3 (0.66) deck.
- Deck 15 (lido) - Full (1)
- Deck 16 - Open to lido below, teen club, part of Spice H2O, Private Courtyard area. 2/3 (0.66) deck for public.
- Deck 17 - Sports area, 1/4 (0.25) deck.
- Deck 18 - Front of ship sundeck and slides. 1/3 (0.33) deck.

Total decks as public spaces: 5.56

They seem to be very similar, with the Epic spacing out their public areas over more floors with a higher number, but slightly smaller venues.

[JohnIreland]

Excellent , thanks.