Black Pearl Sailor

Currently it is John Dsouza (sp) but that will change on the 16th when he goes on vacation, he told us that a German concierge will be taking his place for the next 4 months.

Thanks appreciate the reply

Question is in the title thanks

Appreciate the comments all

Just back off a fantastic 22 days aboard Epic, great refurbishment, super weather, excellent new entertainment options and what a place to celebrate my birthday!

This is a video of our thanks to the crew who make our vacations so special, it also has great memories included so watch it if you want to remember crew who may have looked after you on Norwegian in the past, but you need a little time.

NCL have delivered fantastic ships out of Papenburg over many years but I wonder whether getting rid of their Shipyard based new build team with no notice, a month before Christmas last year is going to be the smartest cost saving move NCL have made. The team there had a tremendous reputation for delivering quality on time!

Great video, thanks for sharing. Did NCL invited you, as I suppose a very valued guest, to visit the shipyard?

We have sailed with Norwegian for many many years and have a tradition of sailing on every NCL European new build first cruise since the Sun, but the visit was arranged by a close friend as a special treat.

You are welcome the visit to the yard was very exciting, and then sailing on her to see the completed work was special.

A slightly different ship video showing a little of how Escape changed in the five months before she first sailed.

We have sailed on RCI four times in either Owners Suite or Loft Suite in the hope that we could find an alternative to NCL for a change of scenery. However always the two things that stop us hopping ship is the fact that other than a bigger room RCI don't have the NCL suite customer care and service ethos, and secondly up to now NCL's Freestyle Dining has been our favoured option.

We were very excited to see the Quantum class ships particularly with the Dynamic Dining, so we've happily booked Anthem for 11 days next year in a Grand Loft Suite, excepting that suite guests on RCI are not treated anywhere near as well as Haven guests on NCL.

Here's my observation, given that the ship will be new and full we will want to book our speciality restaurants to ensure we get the full experience. Now with NCL we can get this sorted via the concierge who will always get us in. I have looked at the online option for booking with RCI (which looks really cool) and thought I would use this. However the process RCI has is that if I want to reserve a speciality restaurant I have to provide a credit card which is charged NOW despite the fact that we are not sailing for six months. Why can't the bookings simply be charged to my on-board account, surely RCI are not that desperate for my cash?

Just back, the Epic Haven restaurant is and will always be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Currently is David Contreras, a great guy who will be on the ship until next May, although off for two months later this year when Monica comes on to cover him.

At present David should be back on Epic after his leave next year but you never know.

It is obvious that the reduced perks from the Casino are all part of the cost we pay for the growth of NCL. The beanies run the company even more so now with the goal of paying for the new ships by continually reducing costs and increasing charges.

Another cute example this week the new change to cocktails and bar prices comes in, outside the free casino drinks of course, cocktails up $1 and 50 cent charge for a splash of soda, cola, tonic etc. in a drink.

It's a damn shame, but it's the price we pay for staying loyal to NCL and watching them grow.

Anyone know who is currently HD, Concierge and Captain on Epic please?

If your original booking included an on board credit you will loose this if you pay more for an upgraded cabin and there is no current OBC offer when you upgrade.

A very bad business practise on NCL's part!

"16002 has the window cleaning system parked outside the shower window"

 

It actually looks like the window cleaner is parked in front of bathroom window for 16004.

trust me it was outside the shower which is the side of 16002

Was there a particular reason you picked 17004 over 17007?

I have 17007 but both are available. I'm doing West. Carib.

Thanks

For the ports we are visiting next May the port side of the ship is my preference because of the outlooks in the ports, it would be the same if we were sailing trans Atlantic to the USA from Europe, but we would be on the starboard side if we were coming to Europe because of the sun.

For the West Carib you are going to have beautiful evening sun on your balcony after you leave Miami and morning sun after you leave Roatan. Every morning you will wake up to the sea and nothing else, lucky you. :)

Hi Black Pearl Sailor' date='

 

What a nice gesture to review the DOS so carefully for future cruisers.

 

It was great seeing you two entering the Epic Club on the webcast. You had such huge grins on your faces.:D

 

DH Bob and I fondly remember our dinner with you and a few others on the Gem a couple of years ago. Hope to see you and your DW again on NCL!

 

We're finally going on Epic next month. Can't wait!!

 

What's up next for you two? Sounds like you've been enjoying your cruising life a lot!:)

 

Any chance you'll be putting up a review of the food, entertainment, etc.? Always look forward to hearing your comments. Any favorites in terms of food or fun?[/quote']

 

Hi Barb

 

Nice to hear from you, sorry you weren't aboard but we are sure you will love EPIC next month. I put a review up before we arrived in New York which covers some of the dining and entertainment so not wishing to repeat but don't miss the Tent, if Blue Man is your thing this is a great show, in fact we loved all the entertainment.

 

For dining all the usuals with a twist but and it's a big but the new dining facility for the Courtyard (Epic Club) is way superior to the way we used to go to Cagneys, the dinner menu is just super.

Thanks so much for clarifying about these rooms. I spent an hour questioning my PCC about the DOS's this afternoon, and asked her to find me the answers tonight, as she tours the ship. I copied your post and emailed it to her. Hope you don't mind.

 

Is the solarium air conditioned? For 17032 and 17035, is the elevator a big detriment to the view?

 

Thanks, Al

Yes the solarium is air conditioned, and your other question has been answered which I agree with too.

Thank you for all the info. I have booked 16002 for next year.

 

Just one question... When you were out to sea were you able to open the balcony windows with all the sliding doors closed... Too windy (for smoke break)?

 

Do you have any pictures of 16002?

 

Thank you again.

 

Chris

Hi Chris

I used the windows for the same reason :-) (Please note all the rabid anti smokers I do not want any comments about this) Yes you do need to close the sliding doors to the balcony and it works well. I have pics but it's a pain to resize them to upload on CC so if you want any I'm happy to email.

General

We stayed in 16002 for the trans Atlantic and were given a tour of each of the other DOS as they were completed.

There are eight DOS aboard the Epic which are grouped in pairs on the port and starboard sides of the ship and each pair has a slightly different internal and external layouts, the pairings are front facing overlooking the bow 16002 and 16005, 17004 and 17007; rear facing overlooking the pool deck 17030 and 17033, 17032 and 17035.

Each of the suites are beautifully appointed with muted colours, each lounge area has a sofa, dining table with four chairs, easy chairs, a bar setup with coffee machine, additional storage area of drawers and cupboards. A large television and DVD player, with a Bose Wave music system, and mood lighting switches, together with a desk and chair.

Each bathroom has a corner tub that overlooks the outside, his and hers sinks, very large walk in showers, masses of hanging, drawer and cupboard space and separate toilet. Each suite also has a second guest toilet and washbasin.

Each bedroom has a large very comfortable large bed, an easy chair, second large television and mood lighting together with even more additional shelve storage.

Some Specifics about the layouts

16002 and 16005 have floor to ceiling windows that overlook the bow from the lounge, solarium balcony and bedroom, the walk in shower has a massive window to the side (16002 has the window cleaning system parked outside the shower window). The enclosed balcony can be accessed through sliding doors from the lounge, bedroom and bathroom, and when sitting in the tub you look through the balcony to the front of the ship. The enclosed balcony has three windows that slide open and has two loungers. All the windows have drapes and or pull down blinds for privacy although other that seagulls no one can see you. Below these suites is the Garden Cafe with no noise or food smells, and above is the DOS on deck 17, again with no noise. Note this is not what the NCL web site and literature says about these balconies i.e. they are not open, I have told them several times that they should amend their description.

17004 and 17007 also overlook the bow but only from the bedroom and the bathroom tub, the lounge is squarer than 16002/05 because they have an open large side balcony accessed from the lounge and bathroom. We have booked 17004 for our next cruise because of the open side balcony which is much larger than the side balconies of the Courtyard villas. Below is the DOS on 16 and above is the private sundeck for the Courtyard, again no noise.

17032 and 17035 are the two middle DOS on 17 which have a very large lounge area, super walk in dressing area and bathroom with a large open balcony, there is to the side of the balconies the shafts from the deck that actually do not affect your view outwards.

17030 and 17033 are the two outer DOS which have a fantastic wrap around open balcony to the pool deck and side of the ship, again with the same superbly appointed lounge and bathroom.

My observations about these suites are that there will undoubtedly be noise from the pool deck and they have the Posh Club above which may generate some noise. The other significant issue about these suites is that people walking on the deck above and alongside the pool deck look virtually straight into the suites, and unlike the DOS on the Jade, Gem and Pearl they do not have smoked glass on the balconies. I have suggested to NCL that they should put dark film on these balconies.

Summary

All of these suites are terrific, if you want amazing views of the ocean as you sail and are happy with a solarium then 16002/05 are for you. If you want to wake up to the ocean but want an open balcony as well then it’s 17004/07. If you want to be involved in the ships party life and see and be seen by the rest of the ship on a covered balcony then it is the four rear facing on 17.

All the DOS have adjacent Courtyard villas and/or Penthouses, the Penthouses are the same as the Spa Suites without the corner tub in the bedroom, but with the same oval shaped beds.

The Courtyard complex on the Epic is to die for, the Epic Lounge and Club in my view are better than the finest on the so called five star lines, the open Courtyard is sublime, with the small pool, two hot tubs, steam rooms, sauna, gym and treatment rooms you don’t need to visit the spa unless you want the hydro pool. The upper private front facing sundeck and access to Posh provides an immense amount of space for all the guests; access is card key controlled and heaven is just behind the black and gold doors.

Finally there is nowhere better to wake up than on an NCL ship , and on an NCL ship there is nowhere better to wake up that the Epic Courtyard, and we were in a Garden Villa on the Gem not long ago which was as always memorable.