jmh0603

I see you have decided. I have sailed both and like them; but I think I lean towards the Getaway. There is definitely more outdoor space on the Getaway than Epic. On the Epic, you can only walk around outside on Deck 7 then Deck 15 and outdoor space. I love the Waterfront on Getaway and look forward to checking it out on other ships. I would sail both again. I will say I have been in the Haven on both ships and the Haven on the Epic has more space and more bars.

I was just on the Epic for the 10/22-29 sailing in a 2 bedroom haven suite. There are outlets right by the couch in the living room. In the bigger bedroom there is an outlet by the vanity/desk and one on the left side (if you are laying in the bed). In the smaller bedroom I know there is one by the vanity, I am not sure by the bed in there though. You will be able to put it in the outlet in the living room for sure.

From a recent Breakaway cruise

 

 

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This is what it was last week on the Epic.

We enjoyed the Cirque show and dinner. The meal was surf and turf, shrimp and beef tenderloin, broccoli and fingerling potatoes. We were on the floor and saw everything fine.

Just disembarked yesterday from the Epic. I think the main Haven bar usually closed at 10pm. The bar in the grill area closed at 8, Carol is the bartender there right now and was there until 6:30; she was great. And the bar in posh was open until 6 or 7.

The restaurant breakfast times depended on if was a port or sea day. Yesterday it opened at 6, I think most days it was at 7 until either 9 or 10. Lunch was usually 12 to 2, I think and dinner was 5 or 6. The concierge will leave something in your room, you can check with them anytime or ask your butler; he/she will know.

I just got off the Epic yesterday morning and you can't do it all. We did a lot and missed quite a bit. We did see Burn the Floor, Priscilla, and Cirque. We went to Howl at the Moon a few times, saw a few things in the atrium and ate at 3 of the specialty restaurants. We did check out the Cavern Club, gambled (I lost) and ate at O'Sheehans a few times. We didn't eat in any of the MDR, but did get dinner one of each meal at the buffet. We were staying in the Haven and ate breakfast there most of the time. We were in Europe, it was too chilly to the slides or get into the pool.

are you on our roll call?

looks like we will have a very busy meet and greet

I have been lingering. I don't think we will do the meet and greet though.

We are going on the Epic this weekend and will have 4 adults in a 2 bedroom Haven suite. I don't know if I would want to put anymore adults in there, but kids may be okay. I will know more once I actually see our cabin.

Following the thread with great interest as these are all places we have visited on our independent travels.

 

We were in Florence for 10 days last March when it was a bit less crowded but still fairly busy. Many places advertise bistecca Fiorentina, but the genuine article comes from the Tuscan Chianina cattle, and if it seems too cheap and in a tourist restaurant probably won't be the real thing.

 

I've seen many postings over the years from Americans coming to Europe andworried about pickpockets. Two come to mind, one from somebody visiting Naples scared they would be mugged between getting off the coach and the entrance to the hotel, and another wnating to know if her husband's concealed carry permit was valid in Europe. We've travelled extensively and independently for many years around Europe through the main tourist destinations. The only time we've had any experience of an attempted theft was on a bus in Tunisia when somebody tried to slip their hand into my wife's bag. When she felt it and looked up he walked calmly to the back of the bus and got off at the next stop.

 

Be aware, the same as you might in any US city. Best not to wear baseball caps, clothing with the ship's logo or anything else that makes you stand out as an obvious tourist. No flashy jewellery. Don't leave your wallet in your back pocket and hang on tightly to your handbag (purse).

 

Looking forward to your thoughts on Venice.

Thank you for this. We leave for the Epic tomorrow that leaves Barcelona on Sunday. I am from Chicago, so I am big on being aware of my surroundings and keeping an eye on things. I have also bought a purse that is anti-theft, my mom has one too. I have told my husband please don't have your wallet in your back pocket. The pickpocket thing is brought up a lot on here and also people I speak with. We are taking the precautions, but we won't let it deter our vacation.

I have been on the Getaway twice. Once in a studio, the other in the Haven. The pool area is crowded on sea days. Like a pp said, deck 8, The Waterfront, is so quiet. It's one of my favorite places on the ship. On sea days they have a little area you can buy lobster rolls, they are yummy. I truly believe vacation is what you make of it. Any cruise and line you choose will be great for your trip. That said, I would have no problem sailing on the Getaway again. We are going on the Epic this week and I am a little bummed it doesn't seem to have as much outdoor space as the Getaway.

I think pretty good, in O'Sheehan's. I was on the Getaway last year and we watched Monday Night Football with no problem. My DH has been asking the same question about the World Series, but we will be on the Epic in the Western Med. I think he will be watching a couple of games around 3am or so. lol

Great review so far, I am looking forward to seeing more as I am on the October 22 sailing.

I was in a studio on the Getaway a few years ago and loved it. I only ever slept in there, but it was perfect size for me and there is plenty of storage. Go for it!!!

NCL often has cruises you can use 2 of the certificates at a time; or even promos to use 2 on any cruise. We used 2 of ours for the cruise we are taking in a couple of weeks. We still have 2 more. This cruise it's me, DH, my mom and a friend; our next cruise will be just me and DH so even if we use one we are okay with that.

We did the behind the scenes tour last year on the Getaway. It was the paid tour, we don't have status on NCL and was about 90 minutes. That included the short movie about NCL, backstage tour of the theater, kitchen, laundry and environmental (trash) area; we also walked around I95. I may look into it again on the Epic in a couple of weeks. I think my mom would like it, but I am not sure she wants to do the walking.

I am loving your review so far. I am going on the Epic in about 4 1/2 weeks and so excited.

I did an upsell to the Haven last year on the Getaway. It's a nicer stateroom. You get access to the Haven area, which includes a bar, lounge, pool, sundeck. You also have your own butler and a concierge to help you with booking anything. We loved the Haven. On sea days we hung out there since the pool was packed. You also get priority embarkation and disembarkation.

we have a very active roll call for this sailing-come and join us

I know, I have been lurking there for a while.

Are you sure you don't visit Naples? We go in October and visit Naples.

 

 

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Yes, I am positive. The week we are on the ship is a slightly different itinerary. I picked it because for some reason it was less expensive for that week than other times. We are on the October 22nd sailing out of Barcelona.

Thank you for the review. I am going on the Epic in October, our itinerary is a little different. We don't go to Naples, but visit Marseilles. I will keep the hair straightener issue in mind. We went on the Getaway last September and I didn't have an issue. I actually did not use it; it was too humid and wouldn't have made a difference.

I don't know about the 16016 and whether you'd hear noise being next to the Courtyard Grill. I have a strong preference to Deck 16 because I don't like potential overhead noise. I had 16023 and never hear noise. I liked the location very much.

I am happy to see this, I have this cabin booked in October with my DH, mom and a friend. We are all getting so excited.

I have been on the Getaway twice now, September 2016 and October 2014. Last time we say MDQ, which was awesome. We also went to the comedy show one night and Howl at the Moon a couple of times. In addition, we went to final show. We enjoyed everything we saw. It was a year ago, so I can't speak for current entertainers, but based on my experience they have some talented people.

I am splitting a 2 bedroom suite with my mom, her friend and my husband. So you could say I am the kid. lol

I haven't been on the Epic yet (in October) but when on the Getaway there were some small children last September but it wasn't over run with kids.

We used the Haven pool on the Getaway last September. I would say at least 3 or 4 times. Often there was at least one other person in the pool.

This is getting me so excited for our trip in October. I booked the Haven because we are celebrating my mom's 70th birthday and thought it would be awesome to do with her. I can't wait.