Norwegian epic review 19 oct - 25th oct

firstly I did find out that I enjoy cruising so that is a big plus as I am thinking of doing it for a christmas cruise next year. I do have a few points so here goes

1 You get charged automatic service charge on drinks and speciality dinners yet they leave a space for a tip why?

2 They advertise the solo cabins for solo travellers yet I saw several groups of four or more so that when you went to the solo lounge you felt out of place.

3 they advertise the solo cabin area with doors that can only be accessed with solo cabin key yet the doors where never shut allowing anyone in

4 In the solo cabin area there was a vending room with two vending machines what is the point considering there was never anything in them?

5 the first time I went to the Manhattan Room I was standing next to the podium with a group of three people standing behind me. She walked passed me and had a conversation with this group as she told them that they had no place for them to eat and gave them several suggestions making me feel totally invisible.

6 I brought a bottle of port on board that was confiscated when I tried to get it back they had put the room number wrong instead of 12551 they had it under 9551.

7 when I was on the thompson dream we did the safety drill that meant meeting at the muster points near the lifeboats and everyone had to put on the life belts instead of just being shown. Also on the epic you went to the muster point for me that was in the casino and just stood there got shown how to put on the lifebelt and stood there no one checked your name or anything

8 lastly When I was sitting in spice h20 I saw waiters asking couples if they wanted a drink I never was asked the only way I got one was if I walked to the bar and asked.

As I said I enjoyed cruising and will do it again but next time I will try one of the other cruise line companies. I did also think about buying the ultimate drinking plan decided not to and am glad i didn't as I only had a few drinks. The unlimited internet package is worth it though.

A service charge is added on top of all drinks and upcharge restaurant on all ships and on all line across the board Costa/rccl/carnival/ncl ect apart from Thompson and Fred Olsen I believe a lot of people tip on top of this standard 18% as it is there custom in the country of origin

As a British lady myself I find the whole system strange as I like to tip for good service and when it's already added on regardless of the service I received but after 19 cruises I come to terms with it lol

As for solo not really sure never stayed in one but I guess if a group of friend was going on a cruise the solo cabin give them a chance of sailing together with the added benefit of have ur own space

And alcohol brought on board will be taken and returned to you on the last evening of ur cruise with most cruise lines

Glad u enjoyed ur cruise and will cruise again there are loads of lines out there to try but ncl has some fantastic ships across there fleet

I'm sorry to hear that you had so many negative experiences. I can't help with any of your solo points but I can comment on other things.

1. All of the US cruise lines do this. Some people do like to give extra but it's not compulsory.

5. Bad manners. No excuse.

6. Human error. Irritating I know. Hope you eventually got it back.

7. Again this is common now. We were also in the casino and were asked twice for our cabin number and the second time, marked off a list. I was not impressed with this muster.

8. Having to chase up a waiter was not because you were alone. My DH or I went to the bar usually as it was much quicker than waiting for a waiter to come by.

Hope this helps. However I have said in the past that I didn't think the Epic was a "first time cruiser" ship. We met other people on board who did not like the ship at all. It was too big for them. They didn't understand the dining arrangements. Couldn't understand why they had to book for shows. Etc. Etc.

I know the Epic is not to everyone's taste but there are lots of other ships out there. I really hope your next cruise is more successful.

I am glad you no longer have to take your lifejackets and line up outside.

You would never normally go there anyway. You would also not return to your cabin to get your lifejacket.

So doing that is totally false and would probably do more to confuse people.

There are enough life jackets stored for everyone anyway.

I'm sorry to hear that you had so many negative experiences. I can't help with any of your solo points but I can comment on other things.

1. All of the US cruise lines do this. Some people do like to give extra but it's not compulsory.

5. Bad manners. No excuse.

6. Human error. Irritating I know. Hope you eventually got it back.

7. Again this is common now. We were also in the casino and were asked twice for our cabin number and the second time, marked off a list. I was not impressed with this muster.

8. Having to chase up a waiter was not because you were alone. My DH or I went to the bar usually as it was much quicker than waiting for a waiter to come by.

 

Hope this helps. However I have said in the past that I didn't think the Epic was a "first time cruiser" ship. We met other people on board who did not like the ship at all. It was too big for them. They didn't understand the dining arrangements. Couldn't understand why they had to book for shows. Etc. Etc.

I know the Epic is not to everyone's taste but there are lots of other ships out there. I really hope your next cruise is more successful.

Totally agree. Perhaps they were big tippers.

A bit of balance from me to this thread. I've just returned from this cruise with my wife and we were blown away by the entertainment on board.

Priscilla was excellent, and well done to NCL for taking a risk with this,

Burn the Floor was exceptional,

Howl at the moon, best thing i've seen on a cruise ship, admittedly helped by the ultimate drinks package:)

Cirque show, excellent, with great food

Beatles show, only average for us, they're just a simple cover act

Only real negative for us was the food was very average, but we will definitely be travelling big ship for now on, just for the entertainment, and if it comes with free drinks, all the better...

I'm glad you found out you like cruising! I traveled solo on the Epic myself a couple of months ago, and here's some of my observations/experiences.

2. Is it possible they met on the ship? I met lots of people at the solo gatherings, and several of us hit it off. We turned into a group of six and hung out for the remainder of the cruise. I suppose to an outsider it may have looked like we were traveling together, but we all had met on the cruise.

3. Although I was traveling solo, the Studios were sold out and I was in a balcony. As a result, I didn't have access to the Studio Lounge. It was closed and locked every time I visited (once or twice a day, each day), and I always had to knock to be let in. Not sure why it was always open on your cruise, but I agree that it should not be.

5. I went alone to Taste for breakfast one morning and the hostess said, "You're eating alone? How sad." Not exactly the most tactful approach, lol! It's rotten that you were ignored at the Manhattan Room. You'd think staff would be used to solo travelers with the Studio class being touted so much by NCL, but even so, there's no excuse for her ignoring you.

Hope you do book that Christmas cruise and enjoy it!

Responses below...

firstly I did find out that I enjoy cruising so that is a big plus as I am thinking of doing it for a christmas cruise next year.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed it! And, Christmas cruising is great!

 

 

I do have a few points so here goes

 

1 You get charged automatic service charge on drinks and speciality dinners yet they leave a space for a tip why?

 

So you can tip more if you'd like. I know it's difficult to understand or adjust to when you come from a non-tipping culture, but most of the passengers are typically from the U.S. and we do have a tipping culture, so it's to the benefit of the employees to have that line there to allow passengers to tip more if they'd like.

 

2 They advertise the solo cabins for solo travellers yet I saw several groups of four or more so that when you went to the solo lounge you felt out of place.

I traveled solo on my last cruise and spent time with several different people. You likely wouldn't know by looking at us (how would you?) that we weren't traveling together. I'm sure people meet at the solo gatherings and then spend time together. Also, if people are traveling together but they're single, they may stay in solo cabins. It's just human nature to gather into groups...

3 they advertise the solo cabin area with doors that can only be accessed with solo cabin key yet the doors where never shut allowing anyone in

 

I've heard varying reports on this. Some people experience what you did and others say it's locked. I assume it depends on who's staffing it on a particular sailing...

 

4 In the solo cabin area there was a vending room with two vending machines what is the point considering there was never anything in them?

Were they completely empty? Not sure why they even need them though--there's plenty to eat that's included in your fare. :)

 

5 the first time I went to the Manhattan Room I was standing next to the podium with a group of three people standing behind me. She walked passed me and had a conversation with this group as she told them that they had no place for them to eat and gave them several suggestions making me feel totally invisible.

You'd think they'd be better trained on NCL since they do have the solo cabins. If any cruise line should understand that people travel solo, you'd think it would be NCL! In the situation you described, I would have simply gotten her attention and asked if I could be seated. She may have thought you were waiting for someone--still not a reason to ignore you, but a reason she might not have come right to you. She certainly could have offered better service.

 

6 I brought a bottle of port on board that was confiscated when I tried to get it back they had put the room number wrong instead of 12551 they had it under 9551.

They made a mistake. Sounds like it was corrected since you know what cabin number they had it assigned to. Accents can be difficult and English may not have been the first language of the person who checked it in...

 

7 when I was on the thompson dream we did the safety drill that meant meeting at the muster points near the lifeboats and everyone had to put on the life belts instead of just being shown. Also on the epic you went to the muster point for me that was in the casino and just stood there got shown how to put on the lifebelt and stood there no one checked your name or anything

 

Personally, I love the way NCL does muster.

 

8 lastly When I was sitting in spice h20 I saw waiters asking couples if they wanted a drink I never was asked the only way I got one was if I walked to the bar and asked.

 

Waiters want to serve drinks--that's how they make their $$! I don't know what being solo would have to do with their not asking if you wanted a drink. Did you try to get a waiter's attention and ask for a drink? I've found that when they realize you need service, they'll usually come back and see if you want more. I appreciate it when I don't get asked over and over again and it's usually just a matter of getting their attention and asking for service.

 

As I said I enjoyed cruising and will do it again but next time I will try one of the other cruise line companies. I did also think about buying the ultimate drinking plan decided not to and am glad i didn't as I only had a few drinks. The unlimited internet package is worth it though.

Again, I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise and hope your next experience leaves you feeling more visible. :)

A bit of balance from me to this thread. I've just returned from this cruise with my wife and we were blown away by the entertainment on board.

Priscilla was excellent, and well done to NCL for taking a risk with this,

Burn the Floor was exceptional,

Howl at the moon, best thing i've seen on a cruise ship, admittedly helped by the ultimate drinks package:)

Cirque show, excellent, with great food

Beatles show, only average for us, they're just a simple cover act

 

Only real negative for us was the food was very average, but we will definitely be travelling big ship for now on, just for the entertainment, and if it comes with free drinks, all the better...

So glad to read your review. We are booked on Epic over Christmas. I'm not expecting above average food- Just average. Thanks again!!

Totally agree. Perhaps they were big tippers.

I have been to wdw a few times so I always tip properly, and if given really good service give more. For example in 2012 I was in Florida on christmas day so because the waiter was so good I doubled the recommended tip. If you ignore me and go to someone else how are you going to find out how I tip?

Responses below...

 

 

 

Again, I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise and hope your next experience leaves you feeling more visible. :)

Yes both machines where completely empty and stayed that way all the time so what is the point of having them they could have made that another cabin.

Just remembered a couple of points

1 O’Sheehan’s I don't want to have my main course served at the same time as my appetiser so why do they ask you that?

2 I ordered a cake from Carlos bakery that didn't arrive because they have cancelled the contract so why are they still advertising the service on their web page?

Thanks for your review, we are on the Epic in a few days.

Did you go to any of the shows, or use the spa at all? Or find any quiet spots outside on deck to relax in?

I went to prix ills once and sat and listened to the piano player in the champagne bar, as for quiet place I sat in spice h20 for that.

Just remembered a couple of points

 

1 O’Sheehan’s I don't want to have my main course served at the same time as my appetiser so why do they ask you that?

2 I ordered a cake from Carlos bakery that didn't arrive because they have cancelled the contract so why are they still advertising the service on their web page?

I hadn't heard about carlos - they are still advertising for our January cruise, so I would be surprised if carlos had gone...although it seems true. I just presumed the first cruise post dry dock didn't have carlos due to the embarking port been Southampton, and ingredients weren't available.

Or find any quiet spots outside on deck to relax in?

The sun deck all the way forward on Deck 18 is the best place on the ship IMHO (although I did not have a spa pass on the Epic, so maybe if I did, I would think that was the best place!). Wonderfully comfy loungers and not a lot of people. It's a bit of a walk and not near food/drinks, but if you want a quiet place outside with a great view and not a lot of people, this is the spot!

Thanks for your review, we are on the Epic in a few days.

Did you go to any of the shows, or use the spa at all? Or find any quiet spots outside on deck to relax in?

I enjoy spiceH20 too - adults only in daytime, the alternative is the freestyle deck next to the haven.

Thanks for all the info, it's about 10 years since our last NCL cruise, so i'm interested to see how we enjoy it :)

I found the below video today. There's info about the Deck 18 sun deck at 3:35. A tour of Spice H2O follows immediately afterward.

Ohh Dear, I know how you feel

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In regards to the groups being in the studio lounge, there are a couple of scenarios that could be possible. The groups could have been traveling together and they each wanted separate rooms, or they may have been groups of people that met on the cruise. When I was on the EPIC two years ago, several groups that met that day had already formed by the end of the first night. One group that I met on my first night on the cruise that I hung out with on occasion was actually a group of people that came together and stayed in the studios. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Yes, studios cater to the solo traveler, but it's not exclusively a solo feature. Also, often times groups of people met in the studio lounge, especially late at night.

I don't blame you for feeling awkward with groups of people you were not used to being in the lounge. I would definitely feel the same way if I was you. With that said, I wouldn't let that impact my cruise experience. I either would have found an area of the lounge where I could be alone, or gone somewhere else where I would feel more comfortable.

Good luck with your travels. I am glad you enjoyed yourself for the most part. Cruises are a lot of fun. I think shopping around on other lines is always a good thing, especially to figure out what you do and don't like. I went on a Celebrity cruise earlier this year and did not like the cruise line.