What's happening with the Epic (bad reviews)?

Hi guys

I am an experienced NCL Cruiser and I find this company very nice. No dresscode, no fixed table at fixed hour with fixed waiter, etc. So next year my next big trip will take place. I'll do the transatlantic Cruise from Barcelona to Miami on the Norwegian Epic. After that one week Disney World and then the east-coast of the USA (Washington, New York, Boston) and Canada.

So I started reading some reviews for the Epic and I'm somewhat shocked about all the bad reviews that seem to arrive the last few weeks. If you go back further in time the Epic always get 4-5 rating, with some rare 2 or less, but now the majority of reviews has a 1-2 rating.

I know the Epic has some issues, but why of a sudden is everything so bad on this ship? Is there a new management? I'm getting a bit worried for my trip... Fortunately I have a Haven-suite...

Any experiences here?

Hi guys

 

I am an experienced NCL Cruiser and I find this company very nice. No dresscode, no fixed table at fixed hour with fixed waiter, etc. So next year my next big trip will take place. I'll do the transatlantic Cruise from Barcelona to Miami on the Norwegian Epic. After that one week Disney World and then the east-coast of the USA (Washington, New York, Boston) and Canada.

 

So I started reading some reviews for the Epic and I'm somewhat shocked about all the bad reviews that seem to arrive the last few weeks. If you go back further in time the Epic always get 4-5 rating, with some rare 2 or less, but now the majority of reviews has a 1-2 rating.

 

I know the Epic has some issues, but why of a sudden is everything so bad on this ship? Is there a new management? I'm getting a bit worried for my trip... Fortunately I have a Haven-suite...

 

Any experiences here?

Try not to put a whole lot of stock in reviews. People who have a good time tend to not write them. People who want to complain (especially those with their hand out) can't wait to hit the keyboard. Just because one person dislikes something doesn't mean that YOU will also dislike it. (How many times have you seen a movie that the critics hated and you liked it?:rolleyes:)

Experience it for yourself and make up your own mind.

Perhaps the "problem" isn't new management, but the guests themselves. The good thing is that THOSE guests won't be on YOUR sailing! :D

The readers of Travel Weekly just named Epic "Best Overall Individual Cruise Ship". Doesn't sound like a bad place to be.

Ignore the carping from the faultfinders....go and have yourself a great time.

Try not to put a whole lot of stock in reviews. People who have a good time tend to not write them. People who want to complain (especially those with their hand out) can't wait to hit the keyboard. Just because one person dislikes something doesn't mean that YOU will also dislike it. (How many times have you seen a movie that the critics hated and you liked it?:rolleyes:)

 

Experience it for yourself and make up your own mind.

 

 

Perhaps the "problem" isn't new management, but the guests themselves. The good thing is that THOSE guests won't be on YOUR sailing! :D

 

The readers of Travel Weekly just named Epic "Best Overall Individual Cruise Ship". Doesn't sound like a bad place to be.

 

Ignore the carping from the faultfinders....go and have yourself a great time.

The one thing that keeps coming back is the comparison with Royal Carribean. We all know NCL is not RC and they don't even want to build an oasis to the seas (thank god for that), so maybe I should be happy that all the stiff and older RC-fans won't be on my cruise.

I only hope it won't be sold out, being stuck with 4.200 guests for a week on the transatlantic might be too crowded for me. But then again: there is the Haven... XD

I think you should remember that most of the upset/angry people go out of their way to post, but the happy ones are home and going about their business. Majority don't take the time to post.

Read the negatives and look at the trend. Half hate the food and love the amenities, the other half love the food and hated the amenities and service. Many of the posts have to do with their expectations not being met. Complaints of staff being foreigners? Outdoor buffet having limited numbers of hot dogs, etc. None mention talking to senior staff about issues or letting anyone know they are unhappy. Some are outright untrue, i.e. $20 per day per person for the daily service charge, not true at all. The majority of cruisers come home happy with what they had. The unhappy ones post.

Go with an open mind, search out food, service and amenities in advance so you know what to expect and you should be fine.

If you should have an issue on board, LET SOMEONE KNOW! They want you to be happy.

I could be wrong but I have cruised the Epic this time of year for the past couple years and remember being concerned about bad reviews as well. Our sailings have turned out great, this year will be our third.

What I have noticed is the first couple of cruises on either side of the transatlantic crossings seem to have some wrinkles. Once a rhythm gets going again things are great. I don't know if it is crew change, different schedules or expectations or what but the early Europe and early Caribbean sailings seem to have more complaints.

Obviously nothing scientific, just my own observations.

I think you should remember that most of the upset/angry people go out of their way to post, but the happy ones are home and going about their business. Majority don't take the time to post.

Read the negatives and look at the trend. Half hate the food and love the amenities, the other half love the food and hated the amenities and service. Many of the posts have to do with their expectations not being met. Complaints of staff being foreigners? Outdoor buffet having limited numbers of hot dogs, etc. None mention talking to senior staff about issues or letting anyone know they are unhappy. Some are outright untrue, i.e. $20 per day per person for the daily service charge, not true at all. The majority of cruisers come home happy with what they had. The unhappy ones post.

Go with an open mind, search out food, service and amenities in advance so you know what to expect and you should be fine.

If you should have an issue on board, LET SOMEONE KNOW! They want you to be happy.

That's true, we had some issues with the Gem/Jade last year and everyone was jumping to help us. In the end we even got a credit for a next cruise, so really no complaints about that. We pay a lot of money for a suite so we want good service and we always talk to a manager when something is wrong. fortunately this only occured two times (problem with the cooling system in the room and bad acoustic isolation) and everything was being handeled perfectly.

Already very excited for the transatlantic in october next year!

Hi guys

 

I am an experienced NCL Cruiser and I find this company very nice. No dresscode, no fixed table at fixed hour with fixed waiter, etc. So next year my next big trip will take place. I'll do the transatlantic Cruise from Barcelona to Miami on the Norwegian Epic. After that one week Disney World and then the east-coast of the USA (Washington, New York, Boston) and Canada.

 

So I started reading some reviews for the Epic and I'm somewhat shocked about all the bad reviews that seem to arrive the last few weeks. If you go back further in time the Epic always get 4-5 rating, with some rare 2 or less, but now the majority of reviews has a 1-2 rating.

 

I know the Epic has some issues, but why of a sudden is everything so bad on this ship? Is there a new management? I'm getting a bit worried for my trip... Fortunately I have a Haven-suite...

 

Any experiences here?

I was on Epic recently for a 28 day cruise in the Med, TransAtlantic and Carribean. We were in a Haven Suite. It was the best 28 days of my life. The crew were top notch, the food was fantastic and the entertainment was superb. I probably cruised with some of those people giving bad reviews and find their reaction bewildering.

The one thing that keeps coming back is the comparison with Royal Carribean. We all know NCL is not RC and they don't even want to build an oasis to the seas (thank god for that), so maybe I should be happy that all the stiff and older RC-fans won't be on my cruise.

 

And that is EXACTLY the thing I was talking about! You have a bunch of RCCL Fans (no bias there, right?) not giving an honest review, but making a "why its different than my "favorite" comparison".

The question you really have to ask yourself is this: If these people are such RCCL fans, and RCCL makes them happy, then what on Earth are they even doing onboard the Epic??? What is really missing from their RCCL experience that they are hoping to find on an NCL ship?

I was on Epic recently for a 28 day cruise in the Med, TransAtlantic and Carribean. We were in a Haven Suite. It was the best 28 days of my life. The crew were top notch, the food was fantastic and the entertainment was superb. I probably cruised with some of those people giving bad reviews and find their reaction bewildering.

I was just on this same cruise (24 days Med and TA) Didn't do the Caribbean portion. I agree with you 100% and I was in inside for the Med portion and Balcony for the TA portion.

Crew was awesome, most passengers were awesome. Did run into a few people that complained. I just didn't understand their complaints and figure, NOTHING would make them happy

OP

I think you will find the vibe on a transatlantic cruise a lot different as well. It won't be sold out and the demographic will skew to a bit older passenger base. HOWEVER it will be a great crossing, you really get to know the ship and all it has to offer and of course the sea days are wonderful for relaxing.

Go with an open mind, enjoy yourself and have a wonderful trip!!

Negative reviews can be helpful, but you can't really tally them up against positive reviews and give an average rating and choose based on that rating. When I read reviews, I find that people either rave or rant about things I may not care about. Not that they aren't important or valid points, but they just do not apply to me.

I've never found cruise line food "stellar" or "wonderful" on any cruise line, so it always leaves me bewildered when I hear comparisons of entrees on one line vs. the other. So far, none of the meals I have eaten on the high seas compares with a good four star restaurant in Los Angeles, Chicago or NYC. I do care about the dining experience, and know I prefer the experience on NCL.

The negative reviews that focus on a crew member not smiling, or a balcony window that was not clean, etc. are highly individualized and are somewhat the "luck of the draw". That same crew member may possibly smile on my cruise. That window may be cleaned. The negative reviews that focus on some outrageous act by NCL are more interesting, but I know from being in customer service for most of my life that one person's perception of an issue might be different from another's, and that the reality may be far from either view.

Read reviews with a critical eye: ask yourself what is really the issue. Often when you break it down, the person had one thing that really ticked them off, then all the rest of the complaints are little things they would have taken in stride if they weren't already ticked off.

<snip> What is really missing from their RCCL experience that they are hoping to find on an NCL ship?

Waiting 20 minutes to get served a drink and not being able to get into anytime dining at all one night - that's what they were missing (in my experience of RCCL).;)

I just started cruising in April and it was on the Oasis. I have a 2nd cruise booked with them as well and so far I am happy with their product and service. I have booked my 3rd cruise, first NCL which will be also on the Epic, actually on the same TA than the OP, Barcelona to Miami.

I am not missing anything from RC, so far they have taken good care of me and I am not switching because any particular reason other than wanting to try other cruise lines. This ship looks fantastic. And if I end up liking NCL I will stick to it. If I dont and I want to go back to Royal whats the matter? :confused:

Its not like I want to or will spend thousands of dollars I work hard for just to diss on a cruise line and tell the world I am a RCI fan. If there is people that goes from RC to NCL and didnt like it, its valid and totally respectable to show their dislike. I really hope I like NCL, I am a very positive person and will never try to find anything wrong if there isnt any. but if I dont, I think I have the right to express I was not satisfied and keep cruising with RCCL.

It's a poorly designed ship. Was built to maximize profit over passenger comfort. Many mistakes were recognized and fixed on the Breakaway/Getaway. Cramming 4000+ onto a ship that is designed to squeeze them literally and figuratively is why you get so many bad reviews.

There is a reason they cancelled the order for Epic II.

First thing I need to tell SeaShark I'm sorry I am probably going to be sailing with him on the Getaway in February. I'm one that didn't have a very good experience on my last Epic cruise. First four cruises we had on the Epic were great last one no so. I think I was disappointed because I expected the last cruise to be as great as the others. I also understand on the same cruise different people may have different experiences. I won't go into details because what happened to me maybe didn't happen to anyone else. These are big ships and not everyones experiences are going to be the same. By the way I've now done 50 cruises but I guess I'm just one that nothing would make me happy.

It's a poorly designed ship. Was built to maximize profit over passenger comfort. Many mistakes were recognized and fixed on the Breakaway/Getaway. Cramming 4000+ onto a ship that is designed to squeeze them literally and figuratively is why you get so many bad reviews.

 

Yes...it's no small wonder that the ship was selected as "Best Overall Indvidual Cruise Ship"...it must be all of the squeezing.

First thing I need to tell SeaShark I'm sorry I am probably going to be sailing with him on the Getaway in February. I'm one that didn't have a very good experience on my last Epic cruise. First four cruises we had on the Epic were great last one no so. I think I was disappointed because I expected the last cruise to be as great as the others. I also understand on the same cruise different people may have different experiences. I won't go into details because what happened to me maybe didn't happen to anyone else. These are big ships and not everyones experiences are going to be the same. By the way I've now done 50 cruises but I guess I'm just one that nothing would make me happy.

JLHC, right? I don't think you have much to worry about. You've admitted to FIVE sailings on Epic. You wouldn't go back so many times (or even twice) if you didn't like it. At least it turned out to be an "expectation" problem and not some problem with the ship itself.

Hi guys

 

I am an experienced NCL Cruiser and I find this company very nice. No dresscode, no fixed table at fixed hour with fixed waiter, etc. So next year my next big trip will take place. I'll do the transatlantic Cruise from Barcelona to Miami on the Norwegian Epic. After that one week Disney World and then the east-coast of the USA (Washington, New York, Boston) and Canada.

 

So I started reading some reviews for the Epic and I'm somewhat shocked about all the bad reviews that seem to arrive the last few weeks. If you go back further in time the Epic always get 4-5 rating, with some rare 2 or less, but now the majority of reviews has a 1-2 rating.

 

I know the Epic has some issues, but why of a sudden is everything so bad on this ship? Is there a new management? I'm getting a bit worried for my trip... Fortunately I have a Haven-suite...

 

Any experiences here?

My wife and I just did the Epic trip from Miami on 11/2. We had a blast. Best week. Try things for yourself and don't put so much stock in other peoples misery.

I didn't mean to say it was my expectations were the only problem. There were other things wrong also. To NCL's credit I did hear from them yesterday and they have offered what I consider a reasonable gesture of goodwill from a welcome home survey I filled out. Only point I'm trying to make is on any ship not all people have the same experience.

I didn't mean to say it was my expectations were the only problem. There were other things wrong also. To NCL's credit I did hear from them yesterday and they have offered what I consider a reasonable gesture of goodwill from a welcome home survey I filled out. Only point I'm trying to make is on any ship not all people have the same experience.

No need to explain. I don't recall anyone at anytime trying to say that all people have the same experience...if anything, I think the point of the thread was quite the opposite.

Epically Small cabins, shower and sink in the room, overcrowded everything else, no wonder there are complaints!!!...... I like NCL but just not the Epic! As I have explained to our PCC I will not sail on Epic..ever!:eek:

Huge fan of the Epic here! As you can see, I've booked her for two more cruises and I'm not concerned at all. Try to remember that the only opinion that really matters is your own ... go onboard and make up your own mind.

As for the TA next October, please come join our roll call (great group!). Lots of things already planned:D

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1761958

I did the Epic for the first time last week.

I enjoyed my cruise a lot and it really went too fast. The cruise was expensive for us, compared to what I'm used to with Carnival. But the aft-view cabin I had was amazing! It was well worth the extra.

I did only Carnival cruises before the Epic. I cannot say NCL is better than Carnival. It's just different. Both have their + and -... The main thing I didn't like about the Epic was the rolling and rocking. The sea was not rough and we were feeling the ocean a lot. The ship is not balanced properly I guess.

But other than that, to me the Epic was amazing. Best shows I saw at sea, food was good to excellent everyday, lots of things to do on the boat, huge casino, nice dining rooms, etc... A very nice luxury ship! But I miss the wow factor I had with Carnival's atrium. The only wow I got on the Epic was the nice chandelier 3 story high. That's a real piece of art. The rest of the decor on floor 5-6-7 is pretty much like a nice 3-story store mall. Will I sail with NCL again? Probably... but the next cruise I want to try something different. I want to try smaller ships. Maybe with Celebrity. The Epic is huge, very huge... It was not funny looking for a table at lunch or breakfast. And their freestyle is a joke. I had to wait 45 minutes sometime to get a table for two.... BUT, NCL is good because they give you a glass of sparkling wine for waiting. That's a nice touch.

Always remember that reviews are based on travelers' personal opinions. Everyone has different expectations and annoyances. One of my favorite examples was a review for The Flamingo in Las Vegas. In this review, The Flamingo received a very negative review because the Housekeeping staff did not remove a full six pack of beer from the mini-fridge after the previous guests had checked out. This was truly the only complaint. In my opinion, that's a winning trip!

Don't let others' preferences or expectations have any impact on a trip you have planned and are looking forward to. Your experience is yours and your experience alone. With a positive outlook, you can never go wrong!

Thought Epic was a very ugly ship when I saw it for first time in 2010. Told my wife at the time there is no way I would sail on her

Fast forward 3 yrs and I will now be doing a B2B on her in about 44 days. Part of the reason is the studio cabins. Also the entertainment seems so different than other ships. I have never starved on board so doubt that will be possible on Epic either

I really like reading the reviews especially from loyalists of other cruise lines that talk smack about freestyle dining and food quality being bad to chase everyone to upcharge restaurants. However now those same loyalists are BREEZING on board their own epic kinda ship with more than a steakhouse to choose and pay extra for and cause it is their own they are suddenly all for it

FOR NCL I say keep doing what you are doing...every other company is following suit in some form or another :D

I'm a EPIC lover too, there might be issues with a large turnover of staff perhaps with the new season? People complain about long lines at the waterslides and things like that, but then they booked in school holidays..... I always find the slides are quiet first thing, and late afternoon. ;)

And hopefully the next TA will be like the last one - only half full! :)