Epic Transatlantic review West-bound 2012

Ok, so for those who were not following my live blog here's a quick review of my recent transatlantic onboard the great Norwegian Epic from Barcelona to Miami.

First some background, I'm 37 and yes a solo / single traveller. This was my 10th cruise and 3rd with Norwegian onboard Epic.

Previously I had do NCL Epic in a Studio and then earlier this year around the Med in an inside cabin. However for this 13 night cruise NCL offered balcony cabins for solo travellers at the same price as studios so I grabbed one in a sale. Also booked my flights with NCL and transfers as part of the package.

I had stayed overnight at the Bewley hotel at Manchester Airport and had already checked in online and printed my boarding pass so it was a leisurely morning to drop my baggage and swiftly through security for my 08:30 Jet2 flight to Barcelona. At the baggage drop I was met by a NCL representative who ticked me off her list of passengers and wished me a pleasant cruise.

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The flight took off on time and landed on time at Barcelona terminal 2 at 12:00 local time.

Luggage was very quick and after exiting the customs area was met by the NCL Rep. Now from previous experience I expected a delay for the booked transfer whilst they waited for other flights to land.

I was surprised that a lot of the fellow passengers seemed older than my previous two cruises but guessed as it was a transatlantic this was the case. I dually noted to them that I bet it would be about an hour and sure enough it was just over an hour later we started to get on the coach. This doesn't really bother me as it avoids the scrum of people trying to get onto the ship.

We arrived at terminal A just before 2PM and luggage transferred straight to the porters and there was no queue at security or check-in. A quick fill-in of the necessary medical form, swipe of the card and a close inspection of my "Printed ESTA form" and I was ready to board.

I stopped at the duty free shop just before the escalator, most of the good alcohol had gone but I picked up some Cigs for my folks, apparently 21Euros for 200 is very good.

Anyhow onboard and straight to my cabin which was ready. My Cabin Steward was there waiting and greeting and introduced himself as Emmerson and ask if there was anything I needed.

I asked him to clear the mini-bar out which he did whilst at Muster drill and allowed me to stock the fridge with my own drinks and bits.

the cabin is a balcony under the Spa on deck 13 so the balcony is partly shaded but obviously no one can look down from above!! I had a great view of Barcelona from the balcony.

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270 by single_cruiser, on Flickr

Muster Drill was at 4:30PM and was very drawn out with pauses and repeats in other languages.

Stats for the cruise passengers were:

Approx 3,500 passengers average age 57, youngest 1, oldest 92.

1,241 USA

590 UK

503 German

248 Canadian

143 Swedish

and many other nations represented.

All the info was there for the two weeks entertainment onboard

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and week 2

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So after a quick read I headed for Spice H2O for my first drink. As usual they do the bucket 6 for the price of 5 on most beers so I decided to get myself one and populated my now empty mini-bar fridge/cooler.

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I bought the 250 minutes Internet package for $100 and got an extra 20mins embarkation day special plus a further 30 mins for Lattitudes status.

Sailaway was at 5PM but as the first solo gathering in the Studio lounge was at 5:30PM and we hadn't sailed by 5:20 I headed to the lounge.

Probably the biggest group of solo travellers I've seen in there and Fernando the Cruise staff host was busy introducing himself and offering lists of people who wanted to go to dinner/activities etc..

There was supposed to be howl at the moon but that wasn't on and as it was a long day I opted for an early night and unpacked my suitcase and relaxed on the balcony.

So the first thing I sorted out today was the iConcierge APP which I found a must. Make sure you download it to your phone before you go and you can access your onboard account, view online dailies etc.. Although seeing it instantly you made a purchase at a bar is not for the faint hearted!

Some screenshots of the app below:

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Untitled by single_cruiser, on Flickr

For a one off fee of $7.99 you can also enable the phone and message feature. This allows you to make free calls and messages to other people with the APP onboard, not off the ship!!! But you could ring restaurants etc. I found the message feature quite useful.

The weather today was a bit hit and miss but there was plenty to keep me occupied.

That evening I met up with some of the lads to go to dinner in Taste but as they couldn't get a big enough table we got the free drink voucher and were paged probably 10mins later. A lovely meal if somewhat drawn out as there was a lot of people and some having two starters, etc. But I met some great people who I'd chat and enjoy time with over the coming days..

The night was the first of 6 where we turned the clocks back 1 hr and so 3AM in Bliss ended up only being 2AM and I retired to sit on my balcony and moon gaze...

I should have added that the first sea day the captain kept the throttle up and we were doing max speed so that we would hit the straits of Gibraltar just before sunset.

This side is the Morrocon coastline

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this side Gibraltar

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Now into the Atlantic Ocean, calm seas, temps had just creeped up into the 20Cs/70Fs..

By this time I'd got a couple of drinking partners so we would meet up in the best bar on the sea O'Sheehan's for some pre-drinks and would often eat there, great no nonsense comfort food..

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Tonight was the first time for Howl at the Moon. Sadly no Drew De Four but the three Rhonda, Keith and Ben kept us entertained along with another Ben who was the current Legends "Elvis" who would often join them later to sing or play the drums.

The 2nd one hour clocks back tonight and so with a sea day the next day it was into Bliss until about 4AM (thus 3AM) before a quick bite in O'Sheehan's - I know that menu off by heart from the chefs salad (yes almost healthy through the wings to the fish and Pies). The chefs specials Bangers and Mash, Shepherds Pie, Irish Stew are all worth trying.

Also for breakfast one of the best places for a waitered cooked breakfast with a pot of tea, toast and juice without hunting for tables in the buffet.

Now I don't normally drink alcohol in the day and didn't get the soda package however a useful tip. In the video arcade the vending machine has bottles for about $2, cheaper than a small glass at the bar which with tips etc was nearer $3. I stocked up each day and had them in my cabin fridge to enjoy.

The balcony cabins had a coffee perculator(sp) which as a non coffee drinker I found tiresome to try and boil some water for a cup of tea. It seemed to eventually get luke warm after about an hour!! Needs a proper kettle!!

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is what you get in a balcony cabin.

O'Sheehan's and Howl at the Moon again tonight after a day in the Sun reading my book or just people watching from the upper decks. An earlish night after the previous 2 and no clocks change plus I had a tour to do the following day in the Azores.

I was up early for the sail-in.. And got some great shots..

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325 by single_cruiser, on Flickr

I had booked the Fire lake tour.

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We met in the Epic theatre and they call your tour number up and you have to make your way to the bottom of the steps in the theatre and out the lower exit where you were stickered..

The weather was a bit overcast, the tour was only a half day and by the afternoon the Sun was out in full force.

We went first to the 2nd city on the island .. A bit dull to be honest but then went into the mountains and the Hot spring - a bit of a uneven trek for non ambulent people and then up to the fire lake. I'll let the pics do the talking..

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333 by single_cruiser, on Flickr

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We eventually ended up at a Pineapple plantation

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before being given the option to be dropped at the market/town area or return to the ship which is what I did.

I was determined to try and get a good Panoramic shot of the ship but being so close..

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Tonight I went to the see the 2nd city improv - late night. They do 3 fixed shows and 2 improvisation shows. Despite not getting some of the Americanisms I found it enjoyable, so much that I quickly booked the next show. You can only book one show online in advance or via the TV but can book all at the box office.

... Day 6 - 13 to follow

• St Thomas
  
• Ice Bar
  
• Pub Crawl
  
• US immigration
  
• White Hot Party
  
• Magician's
  
• Free Bar!
  
• Cruise Critic Lunch
  
• Hypnotist
  
• 4 more 25hr days..
  
• And back-back daily Sun!!
  

Hey Craig

Thank you for taking the time to post in our RC for next year.....

I also followed your tweets.....and loving this exended review....

Maybe you and Sally will join us next October :)

AJ

Ok, so for those who were not following my live blog here's a quick review of my recent transatlantic onboard the great Norwegian Epic from Barcelona to Miami.

 

First some background, I'm 37 and yes a solo / single traveller. This was my 10th cruise and 3rd with Norwegian onboard Epic.

 

Previously I had do NCL Epic in a Studio and then earlier this year around the Med in an inside cabin. However for this 13 night cruise NCL offered balcony cabins for solo travellers at the same price as studios so I grabbed one in a sale. Also booked my flights with NCL and transfers as part of the package.

Hey Craig

 

Thank you for taking the time to post in our RC for next year.....

 

I also followed your tweets.....and loving this exended review....

 

Maybe you and Sally will join us next October :)

 

 

AJ

At the moment I'd say I'm 70% there next October.. I have a Future Cruise Credit with that cruise written all over it... :)

Reading yours and Sally's adventures had envy running thru my veins.....

Let's work on that 30%..... Sally already said is very tempting :)

I am not booked on a Studio cabin....... were other single/solo cruisers welcomed to the Studio activities?

As a semi-solo cruiser... I never ate a meal alone....and had people from my RC always save a seat at the MD...but was wondering if the dinner arrangements made by the Solo coordinator or the Ice bar would include anybody NOT travelling on a Solo cabin :)

Thanks

AJ

At the moment I'd say I'm 70% there next October.. I have a Future Cruise Credit with that cruise written all over it... :)

Hey Craig

 

Thank you for taking the time to post in our RC for next year.....

 

I also followed your tweets.....and loving this exended review....

 

Maybe you and Sally will join us next October :)

 

 

AJ

Reading yours and Sally's adventures had envy running thru my veins.....

 

Let's work on that 30%..... Sally already said is very tempting :)

 

I am not booked on a Studio cabin....... were other single/solo cruisers welcomed to the Studio activities?

 

As a semi-solo cruiser... I never ate a meal alone....and had people from my RC always save a seat at the MD...but was wondering if the dinner arrangements made by the Solo coordinator or the Ice bar would include anybody NOT travelling on a Solo cabin :)

 

Thanks

 

 

AJ

Yes, the activities in the solo gathering each evening are for all solo travellers and you can sign up on the sheets for dinner, bowling, ice bar etc.. The initial couple of days are the most important because after that you can recognise others and as in my case and I think Sally did the same you often form smaller friendship groups with similar interests, whether that's fellow Casino players, food fans, drinking fans, FOD, etc.. With over 100 studio cabins and on the TA loads more solos in other cabins there is always someone to go to dinner with.

I've instructed my agent to book me another balcony (but this time Port Side), I was in a Starboard balcony and so in shade facing North for a lot of the cruise.

Yes, the activities in the solo gathering each evening are for all solo travellers and you can sign up on the sheets for dinner, bowling, ice bar etc.. The initial couple of days are the most important because after that you can recognise others and as in my case and I think Sally did the same you often form smaller friendship groups with similar interests, whether that's fellow Casino players, food fans, drinking fans, FOD, etc.. With over 100 studio cabins and on the TA loads more solos in other cabins there is always someone to go to dinner with.

 

I've instructed my agent to book me another balcony (but this time Port Side), I was in a Starboard balcony and so in shade facing North for a lot of the cruise.

Agreed, except my group included anyone who did all of the above or 80% at least, and it needed to be in excess.;)

Thanks for the review!

Thanks for the review. Keep it coming.

It reminds me my solo from FL TO Barcelona last April.

I want to read more.

Before I continue, I've missed a few things out. Firstly some useful info on WiFi onboard. There are two networks, one for I concierge (pswd is mobile app) and one for Internet access.

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If you want Internet access then you need to connect to the Internet one and login with your name/cabin/password which you set up at first sign in. The Norwegian iconcierge required for the app to work.

The problem I was getting was when I connected to the Internet access it would often time out waiting to authenticate and reconnect to the concierge network which didn't have access and thus my minutes were ticking away no matter how many times you typed logout.com

The only one to work is to force your device to "forget" the concierge network before connecting to the Internet one. After a few days it was a pain.

The Internet manager who I spoke to said it was nothing to do with him as concierge was broadcast and contact guest services who just heard "Internet" and directed me back! :eek:

On the first sea day morning a meet and greet was arranged and whilst I was slightly late it was very well attended by both CC members as well as staff from Captain, hotel director down..

It was held in Bliss and snacks and tea/coffee provided.

We registered names cabin and usernames. A lot of events were arranged here such as the cabin crawl/pub crawl etc.. And the lunch to be held on the Sunday to which we all got a telephone message left from the event co-ordinator to remind us..

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Back later with days 6 onwards as have to work to pay off that onboard account but will leave you with this shot!

Great review & pics. Keep them coming :)

So, today was the first of 5 sea days, 4 of which would be 25hr days! Now the party really started!! :D

Should have mentioned that previously I'd done the NCL-U International Beer Tasting which I found very good if a little quick drinking 4 bottles of beer and then we were given the choice of a half-pint from the draught choices, all for $15. Maltings also started a 2 for 1 offer between 4PM and 6PM and it was packed out!

We had a brief shower before the Sun came out for what would be the rest of the cruise. Rainbow you say??

Oh go on then..

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Anyhow they had a series of meet the xxxx in the theatre starting with the officers at 10AM which I popped along to. Some very weird questions were asked, one guy from Ohio wanted to know how many suicides and how you could tell if people had jumped overboard when 5 days at sea.. I hope he seeked out medical attention!!

Anyhow back for some sunbathing, a nice chef salad at O'Sheehan's and the evening ents was my second viewing, the 7PM one of 2nd city which I found better than the first one, howl at the moon and then Bliss. (spot a trend), clocks turned back and how unprepared I was for Sat Day 7!!

When I had boarded I had received a nice lattitudes envelope with an invite to a shh.. secret party in Bliss. Meet the officers etc.. again..

So me and a friend popped along, and free booze.. yes open bar.. spirits, wine, pre-poured beers ready. Loads of appetisers and the capt did a speech etc. The bar was open for about an hour and so I had got a drink or two, well about 4 in before it closed. Hey its very expensive drinks on board and that saved me like $32!

The Lattitudes party was early evening 6-7ish and I had booked to see the hypnotist at 9PM!! however I also realised that tonight was the cruise critic pub crawl which started at 8PM .. arghh!!

A quick run down to the box office and I switched the hypnotist booking to the Sunday night. Phew.. Right.. But hold on, some of my friends were heading to the ice bar, one of the lovely residents in the Haven had block booked a slot and so we decided to all pile in..

I've done ice bars before, but the Epic one is quite good, a bit warmer than previous ones I've done.

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Earlier I was a tad worried we were about to drop off the end of the world (the flat ocean from the TV screen)

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But glad to report the Captain found a new map and this was on display in the ice bar!!

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So free lattitudes and a few drinks , then ice bar with a couple of vodka drinks.. Nice way to prepare for .. ahh the pub crawl!!!

I met up with them at Bliss and then we proceeded to Shakers, Maltings, Cascades before ending up in O'Sheehan's where I needed a quick bite to eat before venturing on to Bliss as it was 80s night!!

Early morning snack at O'Sheehan's, turned my watch back an hour, back to my cabin, sat outside on the balcony to get some fresh air and .. zzzzzz oh well..

For some reason I decided to take some night pics of the promenade deck..

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408 by single_cruiser, on Flickr