NCL Epic with kids review from 12/7 sailing

We are 38 with 3 boys (ages 5, 5, 4). We used to cruise a lot until we had kids…took a break and recently resumed cruising. Our boys have been on carnival magic and ncl epic. On the epic we stayed in a haven suite so I will try to set the special service aside for this review and review that experience in its own paragraph. This review is from a parents perspective.

Overall: Didn't see much difference in service. Both lines were on par with each other. (Haven experience excluded)

Shows: Really enjoyed the blue man group and legends show. NCL wins here for sure. Kids enjoyed both shows. Having said that…I don't know that I would take the boys to watch the legends show again.

NCL kids club: I won't sail NCL again because of this. Keep in mind we are not the type of parents to leave our kids in the club all day. The club was closed for 4 hours of the day from 12 to 2 and again from 5 to 7. They also would not let a child nap during the times they were open. We have three boys and on one night they would allow the two awake in at 7pm…but wouldn't let my third sleep on a mat…so that my husband and I could enjoy some adult time. I spent the evening in the room from 7pm onwards that night. They also charged $5 if a child lost their bracelet. During open hours…the first hour was always free play…so 9 to 10 free play…10 to 12 planned activity..but they make the kids line up at 11:30 so that parents can pick up the kids…so only planned activities between 10 to 11:30. Then they open at 2 to 3 free play…3 to 4:30 planned…same thing at 7…not much scheduled. They also charge for meals on port days. I just wasn't impressed with them overall.

Ship Layout: Didn't like it at all. No grand atrium. Casino felt like it was in a hallway. The only outdoor movie screen was an adults only area. The kids splash area is great for toddlers..but not 4 and 5 year olds. I think carnival magic attracts a wider range of kids with their waterworks.

We are sailing royal carribean next…hope their kids club is better then nil.

did they have much with the nickelodeon theme? We have done Carnival only so far (sans kids), but we were thinking NCL because of the Nickelodeon aspect when we bring our kids...

We are 38 with 3 boys (ages 5, 5, 4). We used to cruise a lot until we had kids…took a break and recently resumed cruising. Our boys have been on carnival magic and ncl epic. On the epic we stayed in a haven suite so I will try to set the special service aside for this review and review that experience in its own paragraph. This review is from a parents perspective.

 

Overall: Didn't see much difference in service. Both lines were on par with each other. (Haven experience excluded)

 

Shows: Really enjoyed the blue man group and legends show. NCL wins here for sure. Kids enjoyed both shows. Having said that…I don't know that I would take the boys to watch the legends show again.

 

NCL kids club: I won't sail NCL again because of this. Keep in mind we are not the type of parents to leave our kids in the club all day. The club was closed for 4 hours of the day from 12 to 2 and again from 5 to 7. They also would not let a child nap during the times they were open. We have three boys and on one night they would allow the two awake in at 7pm…but wouldn't let my third sleep on a mat…so that my husband and I could enjoy some adult time. I spent the evening in the room from 7pm onwards that night. They also charged $5 if a child lost their bracelet. During open hours…the first hour was always free play…so 9 to 10 free play…10 to 12 planned activity..but they make the kids line up at 11:30 so that parents can pick up the kids…so only planned activities between 10 to 11:30. Then they open at 2 to 3 free play…3 to 4:30 planned…same thing at 7…not much scheduled. They also charge for meals on port days. I just wasn't impressed with them overall.

 

Ship Layout: Didn't like it at all. No grand atrium. Casino felt like it was in a hallway. The only outdoor movie screen was an adults only area. The kids splash area is great for toddlers..but not 4 and 5 year olds. I think carnival magic attracts a wider range of kids with their waterworks.

 

We are sailing royal carribean next…hope their kids club is better then nil.

On some, if not all, of the RCI ships also close the kids clubs between 12-2 and 5-7. I think there may be exceptions on port days. Have no idea about the napping. Our son does not go to bed that early. We did enjoy AO, but did not use it that much.