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We recently sailed with NCL on the Epic for the first time and will never sail the Epic again.  We've only sailed RCL in the past and loved it. 

The stateroom looks very nice but it is very tight when 2 or more people are trying to walk in there.  I had to sit on the couch or bed to let someone walk by. 

There are not enough elevators on the ship for the amount of people and the elevators are so small.  Always a long wait for elevators.  Lots of the lights were broken/out on the elevators and wern't fixed during our cruise.

The food was not as good as RCL in my opinion.

We  had to wait in long lines for everything.  Buffet, freestyle dining, to get drinks, etc, etc

The service from staff was sub par.  They always seemed to be stressed and overworked.  Not very friendly people.

The casino was very very big and very smokey and you had to walk through it to get to most things.

The toilet and shower layout was not a big deal for us.

Our room steward only cleaned our room 1/2 time and did a lousy job even when we commented to guest services.

Lots of broken things on the ship that weren't fixed during our cruise.

Very chaotic and disorganized embarkation with no communication with staff.

The floor in the Garden Cafe was extremely slippery when it was humid.  We saw several people fall.

The pools are tiny for a ship with 4000+ passengers

We sailed the Epic because we wanted to try NCL and we loved the ports it was going to and the price was right.  I guess you get what you pay for.

We still enjoyed our cruise and will cruise again.  We loved the games room and library and the Spice H20 deck. 

We did the Chacchoben excursion last week and loved it.  An hour drive each way from the port and we rode in a big air conditioned bus and they gave us cold water bottles.  The tour or the ruins was awesome.  I think the excursion was 4 hours.  We sailed NCL and booked with them.  I can't remembered what we paid for the excursion but it was well worth it.  There were bathrooms at the site and a vendors to purchase souvenirs from.  On the way back to the port they had free wifi on the bus which was a bonus.

Ship -Epic

Deck -9

Stateroom # -9029

Stateroom Category –balcony suite

Starboard or Port Side -starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) –Very quiet room.  Bathroom smelled like stale urine no matter how many times it was cleaned.  We had our room steward clean it several times and I cleaned it from ceiling to floor with bleach wipes and it still stunk.  It stuck up the entire cabin and we had to wash all of our clothes to get rid of the smell once we got off the ship.  Guest services said  it's not their problem if our cabin stinks.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? -no

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –Balcony was twice as deep as other balconies.  We loved the space!  We spent a large part of our cruise on our balcony. 

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Twice as deep as regular blaconies

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? -

Any specific problems with this cabin? -

Any other comments? -

Sorry I never saved a copy and threw it in recycling the other day.

Got off the Epic a week ago and my compulsive prep paid off!  Did not forget anything and I packed everything, then went through the suitcase and scaled everything down.  It worked out great!  I actually came home with 2 carry ons empty as I didn't shop as much as I'd planned.  We were gone 16 days, one night before the cruise and went to Universal Resort for a few days after.

I had compiled a sheet with info/tips for the ship, each port and Universal.  It came in handy!

We are sailing on the Epic for the first time this Saturday.  We have only sailed on Royal before.  We loved the Oasis and loved everything a big ship had to offer.  We are looking forward to discovering everything on the Epic.  We camp a lot and our rv bathroom is basically the same set up so that won't be a problem.

We bring a few snacks on the ship in factory sealed bags.  We keep them and use them for snacks on the flight home.

I collect vanilla every time we travel.  I have a basket in my kitchen cupboard and I love choosing a different vanilla based on what I am baking.  My favourite vanilla is from Haiti.

Thank you for all the information on this topic!  We will be in Cozumel in a couple of weeks and will check out the pharmacies. 

Thanks.  Perhaps they don't have Bonine here in Canada.

Sorry, but what is Bonnie?  Never heard of it.

Also I make a diy popourri.  The stuff really works! Adjust to the size of bottle you need.

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

1/4 cup water

30-40 drops of essential oils - any scents you want

Shake and spray before you go.

18 until the Epic!

I found Orlando shuttle service to be the cheapest and will probably book with them.  Waiting on a quote from one other company too.

Thank you but Cortrans does not service universal orlando

I apologize if this topic has been discussed before but I searched the cc forum for over a half hour with no luck.

Getting off the NCL Epic Jan 23 2019 and want to find a shuttle to take us to a hotel near Universal Orlando.  I cannot find one that will take us.  I know it's far from Port Canaveral and do not want to rent a car.

Thanks everyone in advance

I updated my suitcase, 11 day cruise on Jan 12.  Packed 2 pairs of capri pants, 3 tops, 2 dresses, one swimsuit, one extra bra, 6 panties, one rain poncho, flip flops and a pashmina.  Will do laundry on ship and will be in Florida for 3 days after the cruise.  I will wear on the plane one dress with leggings and walking shoes.  I really don't care if people see me in the same outfit more than once.  I packed to be comfortable.  This will be our fourth cruise.  We are not going to formal night so no need to bring my sky high heels and fancy outfits.

I want to leave room to shop and fill the suitcase!

I bring one swimsuit and 2 dresses, 3 pairs of capri pants and 3 tops plus undergarments for the 11 day cruise.  My Aunt brings one basic black dress and changes the look each night with jewelry or a scarf.

Found this when searching.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g499450-d647108-t5300023-Are_there_places_to_get_Free_WiFi.html

Ooops, sorry

I searched and found this:

Free Wifi : Nachi Cocom beach club

When we travel I use solid shampoo bars and solid conditioner.  One solid bar of shampoo = 3 bottles of shampoo.  I am very particular about what shampoo I use.  Most shampoos bug my scalp.  Plus I can take them on my carry on as they are not liquids.

I keep my spreadsheet open on my computer and always check it to see if I've missed something or packed too much of something.

My parents have been cruising for years and my Dad has a CPAP machine.  He has the TA let the cruise line know in advance and when he gets to his stateroom there is always a extention cord and a gallon of distilled water for him.  They have cruised almost every other cruise line except for NCL.

OMG after reading this I do not feel alone!  We booked our cruise around 50 days before departure, we sail on Epic Jan 12,2019) and I started packing that day.  I started a detailed spreadsheet so I don't forget anything and don't pack too much of something.  I find that this helps me relax,honestly, before the cruise.

When we've cruised in the past my husband always got a soda package.  He doesn't drink much anymore so it's not worth it for us to buy him the package.  Will buy a couple at the vending machine in the terminal.

Thank you all so much!

Not buying a drink package but does anyone know how much a glass of soda costs on the ship? 

Does anyone know how much the pop in the vending machine at the cruise terminal is?

Thank you in advance.

I searched on this site and could not find an answer.