NCL Epic - need advice please

Hi

I am looking to book a cruise next summer for my family (wife and two daughters age 6&2).

We have only done Royal Caribbean but we like an itinerary on the epic. How does NCL compare to RCI as we do love RCI but want to find out more about the Epic

Thanks!

Hi

 

I am looking to book a cruise next summer for my family (wife and two daughters age 6&2).

 

We have only done Royal Caribbean but we like an itinerary on the epic. How does NCL compare to RCI as we do love RCI but want to find out more about the Epic

 

Thanks!

What, specifically, would you like to know about the Epic? Spent a week on her for the Eastern Caribbean itinerary in Feb/March.

Hi

 

I am looking to book a cruise next summer for my family (wife and two daughters age 6&2).

 

We have only done Royal Caribbean but we like an itinerary on the epic. How does NCL compare to RCI as we do love RCI but want to find out more about the Epic

 

Thanks!

We have not been on the Epic, but we've read a few things and seen some photos that suggest we wouldn't particularly care for the way the bathrooms/toilet/sink arrangement is done.

There seems to be a bit less privacy than usual.

But that's a very personal thing.

Perhaps someone will chime in with some comments and photos.

I find the biggest difference is no set dining times in the two main dining rooms. The whole ship is anytime dining except alternative pay extra restaurants where you make a reservation. I think you can make reservations too in the dining rooms if you want. Otherwise, just arrive when you want to eat.

The included eating spot O'Sheehans is nice for casual food. Open all day/night.

The evening buffet area too is good for dinner.

NCL dress code is casual, wear what you want. There are a couple of dress up or not nights.

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Hi

 

I am looking to book a cruise next summer for my family (wife and two daughters age 6&2).

 

We have only done Royal Caribbean but we like an itinerary on the epic. How does NCL compare to RCI as we do love RCI but want to find out more about the Epic

 

Thanks!

The Epic will be the last ship to go on.

We loved the Epic, and booked another trip for November. But, I've never cruised RCI to compare. We stayed in the Haven as well. If you are looking at any accommodations in the Haven, you won't be disappointed! RCI did not have a comparable product in amenities, to me anyway (so just my opinion), at the same price point.

What should they be looking for?

gary

We like RCI. We went on Norwegian Jade and loved it. Great value for money- excellent service, food etc.

We then went on Epic. With over 4,000 people we found it to noisy, with no quiet areas to read, relax etc. If you are in The haven it would be different.

I didn't mind the weird cabins (except for the rounded off beds and lack of storage). Hubby HATED the bathroom. We like to have a cup of tea before bed but the only place open was O'Sheehans which was noisy, crowded and next to the bowling alley. Every time someone got a strike they yelled and I jumped. Not very relaxing before going to bed.

The food and service was great.

The shows were the MOST amazing shows I've seen on a ship. Full stage shows And plenty of different shows every night. We were seeing 2 different things a night as it was only a 7 night cruise.

I like Norwegian but would avoid Epic. Having said that- it was very cheap.

The Epic will be the last ship to go on.

Per your opinion. In my opinion, the Epic is the best and most fun ship we have been on. 18 Carnival cruises, 8 Princess cruises, 4 Celebrity and 4 NCL.

Though we cannot compare to RCI to the OP, the bathroom set up is unique but we had no issues with it. There is a curtain, that can be pulled to separate the quarters.

Loved the layout, activities, shows, dining...oh just everything about the Epic. We sailed on her for 2 weeks last Nov. In fact, we loved her so much that we have another 2 weeks booked on her next Jan.

Add us to the group that likes the Epic and have booked a second Transatlantic for next year on her. Yes the bathroom setup is different, but not horrible IMHO.

Love the shows, dinning options (and not talking specialty dinning). Many included restaurants that make for a variety of eating options.

Like any ship, the Epic has its pro and cons. For my wife and me, the cons outweighed the pros so we won’t be booking another cruise on that ship or any mega size ship again.

Pros: Priscilla and Burn the Floor were the best shows I’ve seen on a cruise ship.

Excellent water slides and a great climbing wall.

With a few minor exceptions I thought the food was very good.

Excellent storage space in our balcony cabin.

A very large casino.

Deck 18 at the front of the ship.

Spice H2O.

The naked lady sunbathing on deck 19.

Cons: The bathroom layout in the balcony cabins.

The lack of a promenade deck.

Other than our balcony, there was a lack of connection with the ocean on sea days because of the ship’s layout.

Not enough elevators. Long wait times and crowded. I’ve never been on another ship where so many people were always taking the stairs.

Reservations are highly recommended it you want to see Priscilla or Burn the Floor. A reservation ensures you will get in to see the show but not where you sit. Also reservations are recommended if you plan to pay for the Cirque Dinner.

Drink service could be very s-l-o-w at times.

My feet hung off the bottom of our bed. I’m only 5’9”.

The smoky casino.

Not enough seating in the Atrium when Trivia, Bingo, or other activities were scheduled.

We did our Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Epic in December 2016. We like cruising with NCL and have a Panama Canal cruise booked on the Star and a British Isles cruise booked on the Jade.

I sail both RCI and Norwegian, and love the Epic. I was on her in March and would go again anytime. O'Sheehans has fantastic thai chili wings, and a little bowling alley. The Cirque Dreams show was wonderful. I do like the future cruise certificates from Norwegian. I think you can't go wrong with either line.

OP look into booking the Family (mini-suite, balcony, inside) cabins, very near the Kid's Clubs and usually very quiet locations and the cabin will be a larger so a better floor plan with 4 "beds".

Thanks for all the advice. My only concern now is that it seems I can't leave my two year old alone in the nursery. Is that definitely the case?

On RCI you can leave under three's in the nursery.

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Thanks for all the advice. My only concern now is that it seems I can't leave my two year old alone in the nursery. Is that definitely the case?

 

On RCI you can leave under three's in the nursery.

Escape can handle as young as 6 months in the Guppies Nursery and is more family oriented than Epic.

Escape doesn't have the "unique" lavatory set-up that Epic does.

Is there a particular room type that you want? That could be a factor in the decision.

We like RCI. We went on Norwegian Jade and loved it. Great value for money- excellent service, food etc.

We then went on Epic. With over 4,000 people we found it to noisy, with no quiet areas to read, relax etc. If you are in The haven it would be different.

I didn't mind the weird cabins (except for the rounded off beds and lack of storage). Hubby HATED the bathroom. We like to have a cup of tea before bed but the only place open was O'Sheehans which was noisy, crowded and next to the bowling alley. Every time someone got a strike they yelled and I jumped. Not very relaxing before going to bed.

The food and service was great.

The shows were the MOST amazing shows I've seen on a ship. Full stage shows And plenty of different shows every night. We were seeing 2 different things a night as it was only a 7 night cruise.

I like Norwegian but would avoid Epic. Having said that- it was very cheap.

I would get tea up in Lido area late at night. Teabags and hot water were available. Seems to me there were paper cups too if you wanted.

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I would get tea up in Lido area late at night. Teabags and hot water were available. Seems to me there were paper cups too if you wanted.

 

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you can also get the tea in Osheans (sp?) and sit in our room to drink it. No one will say no.