Wanted - top ten tips for the ncl epic

Just booked Oct/Nov 2013 Barcelona/Miami on NCL Epic.

Looking through for tips and hints on the Forum to make the most of the cruise but afraid I'm finding there is just too much information to absorb:confused:

So those of you who have sailed on the Epic this is your chance to give us your Top Ten Tips for cruising on the EPIC - Thank you.

The Italian restaurant is horrible - the pasta at the pasta station at lunch is 100 times better.

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The steakhouse is fantastic

The Italian restaurant is horrible - the pasta at the pasta station at lunch is 100 times better.

 

The steakhouse is fantastic

Well, food is very subjective.

We like La Cucina - it boils down to what you choose from the menu.

I am not sure I have a full list of ten. But most important with the large amount of activities on board, it makes sense to prioritize. Just remember that you cant see and do it all. My first trip on Epic, I tried to see and do it all and I became frustrated. Relax and enjoy the cruise. You dont have to over plan, but pick what you want to do and stick with it.

You could eat at a different restaurant for dinner every night and still not come close to trying all of them. Lots of food venues and entertainment all over the place. Most important is make sure you find time to relax and take it all in. Otherwise you will come back from your vacation and need a vacation :)

The Epic has an amazing spa and largest at sea. It also has saunas with ocean picture windows. We loved the spa and a pass is worth it IMO.

Have fun!

Having been on 2 Epic TA BCN/Miami cruises, here are the tips from me:

• get Posh Pass - it's a warm crossing and the sun decks get busy on warm sunny days and chair hogs are out
  
• don't bother booking restaurants beforehand except for the Cirque dinner show (which will be on for a few days only, not everyday, so book it early)
  
• you can walk in and get seated in specialty restaurants easily
  
• the Garden Café is great for dinners! Go there when you can't be bothered to get ready to go out to dinner
  
• they make and serve crepes in Garden Café at dinner times. Our fave is having one sprinkled with sugar and lemon juice
  
• on some days Teppanyaki is open for lunch at 1/2 price - check the dailies
  
• you will pass Gibraltar on 2nd day at approx. 7pm on 2nd day - when you have passed it go down to La Cucina for a sunset dinner!
  
• they will open the forward Haven sundeck (deck 18) to allow people to view Gibraltar and the Strait. I took a picture of the Strait - Europe one side and Africa other side
  
• MDRs - Manhattan & Taste - if they get busy when you decide to go, then go later or at different time another day
  
• make sure to book the shows early because each show are on for a number of nights only
  
• happy hour 2 for 1 at Maltings every evening 4-6pm - great place to socialize
  
• 2/3 of pax are non-US/Canada - so if you are one of these, don't book the morning tour in St. Thomas (we were on deck 8 and were the last to go thru Immigration - we weren't allowed to get off until 11:30am - we are Brits). St. Thomas is the first entry into USA so everybody has to go thru Immigration. In Miami it's Customs only - very quick
  
• Immigration start for pax on higher decks
  
• there are plenty of things to do and go to - the dailies are single spaced on sea days and double spaced on port days!
  
• sign up at Guest Services for dinner with Officer as soon as you board
  
• if you get selected to have dinner with officer - do NOT complain/bitch about the ship (e.g. bathroom layout, small room, no walk around promenade, small pools, etc) - they have heard enough and do not want to hear anymore (our first TA, 2 couples did that and we (3rd couple) were so dismayed. When they got up to leave, the officer touched my husband's arm, gesturing us to stay ... he asked for our cabin # as he wanted to send invite to visit bridge. The 2nd TA we asked to dine with him again and we all had a great time)
  
• Halloween is great! If you want to, bring costume! The ship is decorated for the day and the casino staff win first prize for dressing up! Big party in Spice H2O
  
• if you want to go somewhere quiet to read - go to forward of Garden Café outside meal hours
  
• ENJOY!!!
  

We're not doing this year but think we'll do it next year.

1) Martini tasting.

2) 2nd martini tasting.

One I haven't seen listed yet....if you want a quiet breakfast with a view, get your breakfast in the Garden Buffet then head down the stairs in the front of the ship to La Cucina which is open seating for breakfast and even has drink and roll stations open down there. Very few people know about it and you get a fabulous view and quiet breakfast.

1) Martini tasting.

2) 2nd martini tasting.

3) 3rd martini tasting.

4) 4th martini tasting.

The first TA there were no less than 6 martini tastings, but the 2 for 1 happy hour wasn't yet introduced.

The 2nd TA they introduced the 2 for 1 happy hour, and reduced the martini tastings to 4.

Nothing special but later at night if you dont want to wait at O'Sheehans for a bit and garden cafe closed... go out by pool buffet and get wings, pizza, nachos, etc. Again, nothing special but a super quick bite to eat.

Thanks for these great tips!!!

Bring cash to Howl at the Moon - they will play your song quicker with a tip. Plus they are really talented :)

The water slides have little to no line on port days.

You can ask for your meal from O'Sheehans "to go" - they will cover it and you can take it back to your cabin to eat.

It's all very subjective to your own tastes.

My top ten tips would be.

1) Careful what ents you pre-book and if you do in the theatre opt for the earlier of the two. Events such as white hot party, FABBA, start of howl at moon etc.. Tend to clash with the 2nd theatre showings.

2) Despite what people say, after 3 trips including a TA there were always plenty of Sun beds either the public sun decks above the Haven or aft sudes near the rock climbing wall.

3) For Brits you can get a waitered tea, toast and cooked breakfast in O'Sheehan's until 11AM each day. (With 5 25hr days no need to get up early!)

4) If you are a night owl 11AM breakfast, early 5/6PM dinner, ents then 3AM O'Sheehans for the burgers/fries/wings/etc...

5) If you book a ships tour in St Thomas you get the early clearance. As a Brit I was cleared with only 30-40 minute wait before 8AM. I was on a tour around the island by 9:30!

6) Make sure you print a couple of copies of your ESTA, despite what others said you need a printed version!

7) As someone else pointed out the Gib straits at 7PM ish on the first sea day so don't book then!

8) If you have a quiet evening with no events book Moderno as after that you won't want to move for a few hours!

9) Don't forget Port Out to America, Starboard Home :)

10) Epics corridor carpets and stairwells are coloured RED / BLUE for easy identification of what side of the ship you are on!

 

5) If you book a ships tour in St Thomas you get the early clearance. As a Brit I was cleared with only 30-40 minute wait before 8AM. I was on a tour around the island by 9:30!

 

Read: SHIP's TOUR. Yes, it's true - they allow you to head the queue if you have the NCL ship tour tickets with you.

Read: SHIP's TOUR. Yes, it's true - they allow you to head the queue if you have the NCL ship tour tickets with you.

I did this one last year which was really good.

427 by single_cruiser, on Flickr

I did hear horror stories of some waiting 1.5hrs to clear immigration. As soon as I got my sticker I grabbed some breakfast and then headed ashore before our meeting time..

I got an excellent and reasonably priced haircut from a pleasant Australian woman in the barber shop.

Many thanks for all the answers so far. All Tips have been noted. Keep them coming!

John and Kim

Keep them coming, our first cruise is coming up :-) loving the tips:)

1. Forward deck 18 sundeck is open to public, better loungers, clamshells and sunbeds. Limited waitstaff/drinkservice due to remote spot?

2. Complementary appetizers at Spice H2O in the afternoon.

3. Also complementary sweets and small salads to go at the Atrium Cafe, no purchase needed own experience however YMMV from what I've read on CC.

4. "Secret" outside stairways aft with sea view.

5. Get the cocktail of the day without the (plastic) souvenir glass, saves you a few bucks.

6. Bring a powerstrip for your stateroom.

7. Pull out the bed a bit if you have a balcony stateroom, gets you some extra length if needed.

8. If the pool deck is crowded, use the lower decks to get from bow to aft.

9. In Barcelona; near the Drassanes subwaystop there is a mini supermarket on your left on the last stretch of the Ramblas when facing port. Last chance to get a tray of Coke products to bring on board. ;)

10. In Barcelona; Be sure to use the cheap Port bus to get to the pier, the stop is near the waterside at the Colom statue.

Transatlantics have a different vibe, and you'll have the wonderul chance to really get to know the ship over the 2 weeks you'll be aboard.

Okay, my tip is to check O'Sheehan's special board for lunch it changes daily. Had a very nice plate of Bangers & Mash one day there, of course where I come from its a treat but as you're from the UK you might not really care. :)

The spa is lovely but it will be pricey for the pass for the cruise.

Enjoy Fat Cats, great combos play there, they really are talented blues/jazz/soul bands!

The O'Sheehans specials rotate every 3 days. Bangers and Mash, Irish Stew, Shepherds Pie. Can say I've enjoyed them all :) .

I also like the chefs salad they do there at lunch, much less hassle than in the garden cafe :) and if you are really hungry you can order it with your main dish as a side.

4. "Secret" outside stairways aft with sea view.

Where are these please? I'm not seeing them on the deck plans. What deck(s)?

Where are these please? I'm not seeing them on the deck plans. What deck(s)?

The aft corners between the last side balcony and aft balcony cabin have some emergency stairs down from the upper accommodation decks.

Where are these please? I'm not seeing them on the deck plans. What deck(s)?

We were in stern balcony 10318. Here are four photos of the port side secret stair area next to our stateroom. The third photo only shows two of the three cutouts. It was real handy to just pop next door for the side view.... and for watching coming in to port. The fourth photo is the exterior view.

Great! I saw those cutouts and wondered if it might be there. Since they weren't on the deck plans I thought maybe it was crew access only. I will be in a balcony but I still like to get different views around the ship! Thanks!

This might be a silly question, but...

Are you allowed to just wander out of there, or will you get told off for going out there if you get caught? Only it looks like it is reserved just for an emergency exit!