CincyJen

We're sailing on Epic on March 16, and I logged in and bought our spa passes the very first day they were available (90 days out?). The very next day I logged back on to check on some spa services and noticed the spa passes were no longer available for purchase. I assume they only offer a small quantity for prepurchase online? So glad we got ours but if we hadn't, I'd be racing to the spa the moment we board to buy them!

If you feel the need for an excursion, go for it. However, you can do Rome on your own easily and for a much more reasonable price than you'll find elsewhere. On our recent Epic cruise, that was the port we did on our own. The ship will bus you to a local point in Civitavecchia and from there it's about a mile or so walk to the train station. I was able to look online before we left and find the train times from there to Rome so we'd know ahead of time. We took the train to Rome Ostiense, then hopped on the metro for 2 stops and got off right at the Colosseum. Had prebooked our tickets there, so were set. After that, got back on the metro, a few more stops to Termini Station where we switched to the other metro line. Got off at the stop nearest the Trevi Fountain and walked to that. Back to the metro to the stop near the Vatican Museums. Again, had prebooked tickets there, so went through and saw that, then walked over to St. Peter's Square. From there walked to San Pietro station, and headed back to Civitavecchia and the ship. It was for sure a lot of walking (I think we clocked it at 9 miles that day), buuuut we saved a ton of money doing it that way vs a tour. Especially considering there were 9 of us. Anyway, just an option to consider.

Terrific advice. Thank you so much!

Hi! We're on the same cruise. I think it's 4 days at sea rather than 3. Lets hope they're blissful!

Thanks OP and everyone on this thread for the sea day suggestions.

Windows in Bliss and a Hofner bass adorning the Cavern Club. Sooooooo cool!

Thanks so much cruisers for taking the time to post these amazing photos of the "new" Epic. You guys are the best for sharing all of this with us. Happy Sailing!

Love, love, love your sleuthing, Rayman! I've been anticipating your posts every day. Thank you!!

That dog statue photo..? LOL!

People aren't getting the UBP "free" though, right? Or are they mostly not noticing the extra charge(s)?

We did have to pre-pay the service charge on the UBP but that's perfectly fine. It isn't "free" in that sense but for our particular situation came down to under $10/pp per night and made the cruise "all-inclusive" enough to entice us to just go ahead and book it.

The Changing of the Guard photos and YouTube video are fantastic. You are right, what a great vantage point you had! Kudos to your guide even if was just a fortunate stroke of timing.

Still just loving this review. Thanks so much!

The Norwegian promos and terrific pricing made up our minds for us. We were looking at a nice European trip and hadn't really considered a Med cruise but we simply could not pass up the price with UBP for the 12-night March 16, 2016 Western Med cruise on Epic.

While we love cruising we do like to mix it up a bit and have only done land vacations in the last ten years. We're excited!!!

What other team is there?

 

Who Dey! Who Dey! Who Dey think gonna beat them Bengals? Noooooooo-body!

;-)

When you put it in the basket and check out it should drop a lot! I booked on the 90 days (I have 65 days until I sail now) and when I checked out I paid around £105 each, even though it was showing £159pp and that's for 10 nights on Epic in December :)

Great tip and I'm getting excited!! We're 163 days out from Epic 12 night Med Cruise on March 16. I probably need to stop looking at the NCL site like every single day. ;-)

Thanks so much, Craig, for this informative thread!

Thanks again so much. Those photos of your home after Katrina are just unbelievable! Hard to believe it's been 10 years.

You're a lovely person and this has been my favorite trip report in ages. Wish we could travel with you! Thanks also for every single tip!

Still just loving this review and I set sail on a similar itinerary in March of 2016, the advice is just priceless.

Also, HIB is making me laugh and I love the descriptions. I was especially touched to learn that you lost so much during Katrina and that that section of Rome was so moving for you. For me, New Orleans is the Great American City and watching the ten-year anniversary Katrina coverage was so poignant for me.

I'm loving this review. Thanks so much and I hope all the encouragement keeps these terrific reports coming!