kirsty_r

it looks amazing! Can't wait till January now. Have a great cruise! :)

Highly recommend using Romeinlimo.com for your excursions. Stay away from the ship excursions. We went a few years back and it was the best decision ever made! You travel in groups of 6 or 8 for a fraction of the cost and they can customize your tour if you. The drivers in each are local and so knowledgable. And you aren't in a big bus with people of all different paces. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. We had a group of 4 and using their share forum on their site we ended up with 8 of us all from the ship.

It doesn't matter about pace if you do on your own tours, the coach drops you off in the middle of the city to do your own thing at your own pace.

We had 6 hours in Rome when we went with ncl. We enjoyed the safety of an ncl tour to get us back to the pier in time.

I think she is awaiting the time to go forth into port, she isn't due in till the morning and she isn't far away. I guess doing a few 360turns is probably a way of testing.

Two couples in two cabins, with OBC, wish to use some of it to take two single friends, as a surprise, to the Cirque dinner show, paying half each. Six people in all, one of whom is disabled. Is this possible? and, if so how do we go about it? or, as we wish to use OBC, do we have to wait until we board?

 

Another question. Are you still issued with a little booklet showing the layout of the ship at embarkation, as the Epic will have changed after it's dry dock?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The last time I cruised on the epic there was no layout booklets, layout hasn't changed drastically, mainly a rename of fat cats. I think there was greater reliance on the electronic navigation screens on my last cruise.

My understanding is obc is taken off final bill, at end of cruise, I don't think you can allocate it specifically.

She is in the English channel. :)

I found the star more crowded, epic has so many options I never found the crowds a problem.

Looking forward to the reviews from the Southampton cruise!! ;)

they were supposed to have this fixed during the refurb earlier this year.

Didn't they break again just after dry dock cancelling a Panama canal cruise?

Its like April all over again...

Hey everyone,

 

I am new to the forum and Epic will be my second NCL voyage. First was the Dawn for work purposes (rough life!) and this one will be my honeymoon. I have been put in charge of all things related to the trip and I can't tell you how thankful i am to have found this site and this thread in particular. Looks like next spring is a good time to get on board with all these changes

 

Thanks again,

Steve

Our January cruise is also our honeymoon!!

Any tips on what to do at each place. This is a last minute trip. Daughter living in Spain and just decided to go over Christmas

If its like our cruise:

- morocco: Said tours, costing us 50 euros per person including meal

- gran canaria - private tour with handmade tours, 130 euros per person including meal

- Tenerife - oditen tours 80 euros per person, including meal

- madeira - madeira island tours 80 euros for a car of 4, no meal

- Granada - ncls own tour to Gibraltar

I loved cosmo's last cruise!! :)

It's an American ship and therefore loads of American food, as well as a good salad selection in the buffet. There is pretty much every food you can think of on the ship due to the number of restaurants and the size of the buffets.

 

December in the Canaries can be a bit hit and miss: it can be sunny, clear, still and 25c, or it can be windy, rainy, cloudy, and 16c. The sea can be very rough or lovely and still. We have had just under 20 days on the canaries in November/December over the last two years and it's been mostly lovely, with a few very rough sea days where pools were closed. I think we probably had one or two days sunbathing each time, but then I'm not really a sun worshipper, other people did more I'm sure.

 

The entertainment is great in the Epic - especially now they have bumped the Blue Men off :D

Totally agree - especially about Blue Man! I'm off to the canaries in January and this is exactly the forecast we are expecting. :)

Most Europeans live in much smaller homes, apartments etc... than we do;)

That's very correct..my home is tiny! Toilet sounds are common place for us. I didn't find the EPIC ones any worse than on land.

As far as interior improvements go, you can thank the new management. They aren't keen on the over-the-top decor on several ships and are eager to replace it. Pride of America's refit next year will be similar in terms of drastic interior changes.

As much as we enjoyed Ic for our 3 weeks TA & W Carib. I did find her " dark". Changes like La Cucina look much brighter and more open. Only hope the open up Bliss during the day with windows! Even though we had a Spa Mini Suite and lovely balcony, we did miss the outside views from the main areas of the ship.

We didn't have any issues with the bathroom/ loo setup. However, did pick a cabin with the bed by the balcony.

Looking forward to all the pics from 19th!

I also don't mind the bathroom set up (but I'm European) I also have chosen a cabin with the bed by the balcony! :)

The studios also have a similar bathroom set up, without the curtain.

I'm so looking forward to seeing the improved ship in January ! :)

Looking at this cruise- what is weather like in Late December ? will it be chilly? any suggestions for shore excursions? how's the food on epic- big variety- coming from USA is there a salad bar?

Yes. The food has always been the same ad it is in america when I've sailed ncl in Europe. A very extensive salad bar.

Hi Craig.

I am sailing on the Epic out of Barcelona on 8 Nov 2015. As this will be my first time as a single cruiser (male), and first time on Epic, booked into a studio cabin, with access to the Lounge, I would be grateful if you could give me any tips/advice to allow me to make the best of the cruise. Many thanks.

 

Ron

As a previous studio traveller attend the evening get together in the studios. Often this is where people meet to go for dinner, and there are sometimes games/visits from officers etc.

Its amazing how much work is going on! Initially it seemed it would just be a few carpets and general paint work, but this is amazing!

Its only about 30 mins to the airport by taxi and for london flights I don't think you need to be at check in too early, so there is plenty of time. Normally disembarkment starts around 7 ish.

I'm sure they have eurosport or similar channel on the sports bar. they showed the F1 grand prix once when i was on board, if unsure ask the entertainment director when you board, as the schedules can be flexible dependent on guest feedback.

the engines may have been under some sort of insurance - you would hope so!

the work looks amazing!!! not just new carpets then!?