Just back from the Epic today

Just got home this morning on my second run of the NCL Epic. Had a great cruise. Probably enjoyed this Epic cruise as much as the first but for different reasons. I first sailed during Epic's first xmas cruise. When I booked this cruise I picked what I thought would be a slow week (first 2 weeks in Feb). But as it turned out there were 4,426 people on board :eek:. The ship felt much more crowded this time than the Christmas week. Strange!

But we all had a great time and had a wonderful suite 16001. I took lots of pictures and some video that I will include in my review. But in the meantime, if anyone has any questions, let me know. I wont start my review for a few days.

We ate at the Epic Club, buffet, teppanyaki, Le Bistro, Cagneys, La Cucina, and Cirque Dreams. The food was average to good. There was never any bad service anywhere on the ship. It ranged from average to good and sometimes very good.

The cruise fare was down but most everything on the ship has went up in price since 2 years ago. In 2010 2 could get a spa pass for $199, today it is $290. Used the gym and spa alot this cruise. Also spent more time in our cabin than we normally do but that was because it was so darn wonderful. Weather was great. Concierge was better this time but they have reorganized the Haven and the butler role is very reduced from 2010.

Nothing like coming home to lots of kisses from your Chow Chow :p

Ask away and then I will start my review. Also can someone explain how to post the large photos online with my review. Still dont know how to do that :confused:. I would love to do a big fancy review like you guys.

Just got home this morning on my second run of the NCL Epic. Had a great cruise. Probably enjoyed this Epic cruise as much as the first but for different reasons. I first sailed during Epic's first xmas cruise. When I booked this cruise I picked what I thought would be a slow week (first 2 weeks in Feb). But as it turned out there were 4,426 people on board :eek:. The ship felt much more crowded this time than the Christmas week. Strange!

But we all had a great time and had a wonderful suite 16001. I took lots of pictures and some video that I will include in my review. But in the meantime, if anyone has any questions, let me know. I wont start my review for a few days.

We ate at the Epic Club, buffet, teppanyaki, Le Bistro, Cagneys, La Cucina, and Cirque Dreams. The food was average to good. There was never any bad service anywhere on the ship. It ranged from average to good and sometimes very good.

The cruise fare was down but most everything on the ship has went up in price since 2 years ago. In 2010 2 could get a spa pass for $199, today it is $290. Used the gym and spa alot this cruise. Also spent more time in our cabin than we normally do but that was because it was so darn wonderful. Weather was great. Concierge was better this time but they have reorganized the Haven and the butler role is very reduced from 2010.

 

Nothing like coming home to lots of kisses from your Chow Chow :p

 

 

Ask away and then I will start my review. Also can someone explain how to post the large photos online with my review. Still dont know how to do that :confused:. I would love to do a big fancy review like you guys.

Welcome home! Patiently waiting (now get to it!) :D

Just got home this morning on my second run of the NCL Epic. Had a great cruise. Probably enjoyed this Epic cruise as much as the first but for different reasons. I first sailed during Epic's first xmas cruise. When I booked this cruise I picked what I thought would be a slow week (first 2 weeks in Feb). But as it turned out there were 4,426 people on board :eek:. The ship felt much more crowded this time than the Christmas week. Strange!

But we all had a great time and had a wonderful suite 16001. I took lots of pictures and some video that I will include in my review. But in the meantime, if anyone has any questions, let me know. I wont start my review for a few days.

We ate at the Epic Club, buffet, teppanyaki, Le Bistro, Cagneys, La Cucina, and Cirque Dreams. The food was average to good. There was never any bad service anywhere on the ship. It ranged from average to good and sometimes very good.

The cruise fare was down but most everything on the ship has went up in price since 2 years ago. In 2010 2 could get a spa pass for $199, today it is $290. Used the gym and spa alot this cruise. Also spent more time in our cabin than we normally do but that was because it was so darn wonderful. Weather was great. Concierge was better this time but they have reorganized the Haven and the butler role is very reduced from 2010.

 

Nothing like coming home to lots of kisses from your Chow Chow :p

 

 

Ask away and then I will start my review. Also can someone explain how to post the large photos online with my review. Still dont know how to do that :confused:. I would love to do a big fancy review like you guys.

Welcome home!! I, too, will wait patiently.......well, as patiently as I can for all things Epic!!! ;)

As for photos.....I'm the last person to ask....I'm rubbish!! Lol.

I used Flickr.....I believe there are lots of other sites too. From Flickr , you choose your photo to share and it gives you the option to size it before you share it. Like I said....I'm rubbish.....I can't even explain it properly!! :o

David, welcome home to the real world!

I would love an explanation about the butler's role being reduced :confused:

David, welcome home to the real world!

 

I would love an explanation about the butler's role being reduced :confused:

In 2010 our butler introduced herself to us and told us she was responsible for everything. She would call us to remind us about the shows, escort us to the shows if we wanted. She requested we take the phone with us. All requests were made through the butler.

Now the concierge has a much more active role. They are the ones that call you to remind you of your shows, escort you to the shows if you wish, etc.

Not sure why the change happened. Can only imagine maybe the butlers were making all the $$$ and the concierge was left out? We never used the concierge last trip. But we saw our butler several times a day even if we never asked for anything. This trip we never saw the butler unless we called for him and the concierge seemed more active this time.

Maybe I should not have used the phrase "role reduced". Just roles flip flopped for our trips. If that makes sense ;) Even the few times we called for our butler on his direct line, someone else from housekeeping would show up. Even before this trip, I was reading other reviews where the guests had similiar experiences of missing butlers.

I have a question about the Cirque show. A recent review said they've changed the show in quality from an A+ to a D+. Have they changed it up that much? I don't want to waste $40 a pop on a second rate show. Thanks for the input.

Glad you had a good time. Welcome home.

Welcome back...It was good to follow your Live posts.

We fly to Miami Friday and sail a week today...can't wait. I took some tips from your live posts..and did alter a few things as a result, including canceling Cirque. I have seen some of their larger shows as well as many other GREAT shows, and from the sounds of things this for us would have been a disappointment...

though for anyone who has never seen it...$39 bucks is a steal...ticket prices any where else are typically 100+ with no meal.

Our flying weather looks good at this point....everything else will be fantastic...no snow, no cold and lots of sun...as long as the engine room does'nt catch on fire..nothing else really matters ;)

Can you PLEASE post about your St Thom excusion ..the one yo mentioned in your live post...would love to know what it is BEFORE we sail next week. We have in mind to catch a cab to a beach and do some snorkeling..well I fish watch...hubby people watches :-) but if you found something really amazing...would love to have another option

I have a question about the Cirque show. A recent review said they've changed the show in quality from an A+ to a D+. Have they changed it up that much? I don't want to waste $40 a pop on a second rate show. Thanks for the input.

Good question. I was being harsh with my original post because I was disappointed. The group is very talented. But they are not at the same level as the original show. They had some great acts but also some basic stuff. One woman could bend her body in any form (good) but then a juggler would juggle balls (not so good). One guy would bounce a stick between 2 other sticks (not very entertaining). The singing was gone and so was the entire original production. The best performances were gone (IMO). The hula hoop woman, the guy with the rings, the guy that climbed to the ceiling on chairs, and the 2 guys climbing on several rollars on boards...... ALL GONE.

In replacement, there was basic trapeze stuff. But for me the worst parts that were included seemed like filler. There were cheezy magic tricks (woman wrapped in sheets and her dress keeps changing color) and a silent movie stunt that involved the audience.

While this is enteraining for sure, it was basic stuff I have seen for FREE on other cruise ships. I guess the bar was set so high with the original performance that I was disappointed. Everyone just seemed less talented than the original crew.

Over the past year or so I kept reading Cirque Dreams reviews about some guy with a whistle and how it got on their nerves. NOW i know what they mean. One guy does not speak and uses the whistle blowing as a form of communication. After 30 minutes of the whistle, it does get on your nerves. The food is not anything special so I can say IMO it was not worth the $40 EACH we paid.

But if you have never seen Cirque Dreams before, then definately check it out. They had a Nicaraguan team of the "muscle men" And while they were talented and could do amazing stuff, you could see them struggling very hard to complete the acts. So I got the impression the group is new and not the experts that the original group had. Maybe they wanted too much money and NCL found replacements? And unlike the orginial show, it had no theme. It was just random acts, improvision, and basic magic stuff.

Dont want to sound like I am ragging on them. Very talented bunch but the other act was much better IMO. Would love to hear other's opinions on this that saw both acts.

Welcome back...It was good to follow your Live posts.

 

We fly to Miami Friday and sail a week today...can't wait. I took some tips from your live posts..and did alter a few things as a result, including canceling Cirque. I have seen some of their larger shows as well as many other GREAT shows, and from the sounds of things this for us would have been a disappointment...

 

though for anyone who has never seen it...$39 bucks is a steal...ticket prices any where else are typically 100+ with no meal.

 

Our flying weather looks good at this point....everything else will be fantastic...no snow, no cold and lots of sun...as long as the engine room does'nt catch on fire..nothing else really matters ;)

 

Can you PLEASE post about your St Thom excusion ..the one yo mentioned in your live post...would love to know what it is BEFORE we sail next week. We have in mind to catch a cab to a beach and do some snorkeling..well I fish watch...hubby people watches :-) but if you found something really amazing...would love to have another option

It St Thomas we took the boat to St John to Honeymoon beach. I will post a review, pictures and video in a few days. St John excursions sell out ASAP.

In St Maarten, had to make a trip to the dentist for my father in law. His temporary partial was coming out. Had to make calls in advance from the ship then go out on our own to find the dentist. In the carribean, locations dont have addresses. The actual address was "behind the cappachino stand in Simpson Bay." So it was an experience that I will mention later. But after that we had time and went to Sunset Beach. We had lunch, did some swimming, and got to see the planes land on our heads. Have photos and video I will post later.

In Nassau we stayed on the ship. Great treat since you have the ship all to yourself. We were the only ones in the spa in the afternoon. The ship gets to Nassau at noon and you get off at 12:30. Not time to do anything IMO. So enjoy the ship!

In 2010 our butler introduced herself to us and told us she was responsible for everything. She would call us to remind us about the shows, escort us to the shows if we wanted. She requested we take the phone with us. All requests were made through the butler.

 

Now the concierge has a much more active role. They are the ones that call you to remind you of your shows, escort you to the shows if you wish, etc.

 

Not sure why the change happened. Can only imagine maybe the butlers were making all the $$$ and the concierge was left out? We never used the concierge last trip. But we saw our butler several times a day even if we never asked for anything. This trip we never saw the butler unless we called for him and the concierge seemed more active this time.

 

Maybe I should not have used the phrase "role reduced". Just roles flip flopped for our trips. If that makes sense ;) Even the few times we called for our butler on his direct line, someone else from housekeeping would show up. Even before this trip, I was reading other reviews where the guests had similiar experiences of missing butlers.

The change in roles you describe just appears to align the duties of the butlers and concierge with what they are on other NCL ships. Butlers generally take care of the needs that arise within your suite while the concierge deals with the matters that take place outside your suite.

Sorry the cruise is over but you did get on her :)

1- Do you have the latest O'Sheehans menu?

2- What is the best place to have breakfast, buffet, MDR, etc?

3- Cagneys only shows seafood appetizers I not eat seafood do you know whether they substitute something such as a fruit cup for the appetizers?

4- Which restaurant was your favorite?

5- How was La Cucina? Would you eat there again?

6- What is the best place to eat lunch in your opinion?

7- Do you have the latest copy of the bar menu and did you get the Ultimate Beverage Program, if so, how was it?

Thankyou.

We did the 13 night TA this past October on the Epic. I saw the butler once and that was because I saw him in the hall and had him show me how the coffee maker worked. My wife never saw him the whole trip. Not even sure why they have butlers. I really do enjoy the Epic have been on it 4 times so far and will be on for the TA again this coming fall.

In Nassau we stayed on the ship. Great treat since you have the ship all to yourself. We were the only ones in the spa in the afternoon. The ship gets to Nassau at noon and you get off at 12:30. Not time to do anything IMO. So enjoy the ship!

The ship is in port until 7, I thought? We booked the blue lagoon beach thing. I hope we have at least a few hours at the beach!

Good question. I was being harsh with my original post because I was disappointed. The group is very talented. But they are not at the same level as the original show. They had some great acts but also some basic stuff. One woman could bend her body in any form (good) but then a juggler would juggle balls (not so good). One guy would bounce a stick between 2 other sticks (not very entertaining). The singing was gone and so was the entire original production. The best performances were gone (IMO). The hula hoop woman, the guy with the rings, the guy that climbed to the ceiling on chairs, and the 2 guys climbing on several rollars on boards...... ALL GONE.

In replacement, there was basic trapeze stuff. But for me the worst parts that were included seemed like filler. There were cheezy magic tricks (woman wrapped in sheets and her dress keeps changing color) and a silent movie stunt that involved the audience.

While this is enteraining for sure, it was basic stuff I have seen for FREE on other cruise ships. I guess the bar was set so high with the original performance that I was disappointed. Everyone just seemed less talented than the original crew.

Over the past year or so I kept reading Cirque Dreams reviews about some guy with a whistle and how it got on their nerves. NOW i know what they mean. One guy does not speak and uses the whistle blowing as a form of communication. After 30 minutes of the whistle, it does get on your nerves. The food is not anything special so I can say IMO it was not worth the $40 EACH we paid.

But if you have never seen Cirque Dreams before, then definately check it out. They had a Nicaraguan team of the "muscle men" And while they were talented and could do amazing stuff, you could see them struggling very hard to complete the acts. So I got the impression the group is new and not the experts that the original group had. Maybe they wanted too much money and NCL found replacements? And unlike the orginial show, it had no theme. It was just random acts, improvision, and basic magic stuff.

 

Dont want to sound like I am ragging on them. Very talented bunch but the other act was much better IMO. Would love to hear other's opinions on this that saw both acts.

Regarding Cirque - the acts and cast frequently change. Between September (Mediterranean) and November (Caribbean) last year, the two shows we saw were very different. The frame-work of the show was the same, but many of the acts and the entire cast were different. It may just depend on who's in the show on any given sailing. I recall someone from the production team we talked to said something along the lines that they revamp the show a couple times each year and that a lot of the switchover occurs on the TAs.

We've now seen and generally enjoyed the show three times, though I admit we liked it better the first two times than this last one.

It's not like seeing a Cirque du Soleil show on land (and in fact, I'm pretty sure this is not actually affiliated with Cirque du Soleil specifically), but for a night of entertainment on board a cruise ship, even with the current cast, we like it. And I'm not saying they're bad - they're definitely not; it's just that we weren't as awed as we previously had been.

As for the food, it really is hit or miss. The first time, in 2010, I remember our group collectively was not very impressed with the meal (and we're not picky eaters at all). Last September, the meal was excellent (steak cooked perfectly medium, shrimp were tasty, and the dessert was delicious). Then, in November, everything was fine but not great like it had been a few months earlier.

To those thinking about canceling, if you haven't seen it before, I think you should really go see it. To those who have seen it before, it might be worth skipping this time. Just my two cents.

Oh, and welcome back David! :D

Thanks for the report!

David, you said you paid $40 for Cirque Dreams. Has it gone up? I thought it was still $25 per person for regular seating and $35 for preferred.

Glad you were not disappointed and had a great time. welcome home.

Welcome home. Looking forward to your review.:)

David, you said you paid $40 for Cirque Dreams. Has it gone up? I thought it was still $25 per person for regular seating and $35 for preferred.

Yes it has gone up

$39.99 for preferred

The ship is in port until 7, I thought? We booked the blue lagoon beach thing. I hope we have at least a few hours at the beach!

Hi Sherri. Yes the ship is in port till 7 and you must be on by 630.

We did the Blue Lagoon Beach break last time. I should probably keep my mouth SHUT because I dont want to talk yourself out of anything. I have seen rave reviews of Blue Lagoon but we were not one of them. Blue Lagoon is not an ocean front beach. It seemed like a run down resort IMO. But here are some factors that made it worse for us. In 2010 if you remember was the coldest winter ever, even in South Florida and it affected even the Bahamas. Our weather for that excursion was not great, no sun and it was cool. Also, we had a medical emergency on the ship so we got to Nassau about 40 mins late. So by the time we got to Blue Lagoon, it was after 230. The ship left the resort at 430 or 5 so it was not worth anything. I live near a beach so I expect to see the ocean if I am at the beach.

There are resorts in Nassau that will let you use the beach and their pools for much less than Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is the only excursion I regretted of all my cruising. As soon as we landed there, I immediately wanted back on the ship. Nothing but old rafts and beach toys and a canal sort of ditch to swim in.

Not my cup of tea but others seem to like it.

Regarding Cirque - the acts and cast frequently change. Between September (Mediterranean) and November (Caribbean) last year, the two shows we saw were very different. The frame-work of the show was the same, but many of the acts and the entire cast were different. It may just depend on who's in the show on any given sailing. I recall someone from the production team we talked to said something along the lines that they revamp the show a couple times each year and that a lot of the switchover occurs on the TAs.

 

We've now seen and generally enjoyed the show three times, though I admit we liked it better the first two times than this last one.

 

It's not like seeing a Cirque du Soleil show on land (and in fact, I'm pretty sure this is not actually affiliated with Cirque du Soleil specifically), but for a night of entertainment on board a cruise ship, even with the current cast, we like it. And I'm not saying they're bad - they're definitely not; it's just that we weren't as awed as we previously had been.

 

As for the food, it really is hit or miss. The first time, in 2010, I remember our group collectively was not very impressed with the meal (and we're not picky eaters at all). Last September, the meal was excellent (steak cooked perfectly medium, shrimp were tasty, and the dessert was delicious). Then, in November, everything was fine but not great like it had been a few months earlier.

 

To those thinking about canceling, if you haven't seen it before, I think you should really go see it. To those who have seen it before, it might be worth skipping this time. Just my two cents.

 

Oh, and welcome back David! :D

You said this very well, esp the part of not being awed like in the previous shows.

Exactly!

David, Welcome home and thanks for the report, I am waitng for the full review...hopefully you have it completed before we sail in a weeks time. ;) I was wondering if you had or noticed any Firefly Sweet Tea infused vodka, or any otrher sweet tea infused vodka for that matter, on board?

David, Welcome home and thanks for the report, I am waitng for the full review...hopefully you have it completed before we sail in a weeks time. ;) I was wondering if you had or noticed any Firefly Sweet Tea infused vodka, or any otrher sweet tea infused vodka for that matter, on board?

Did not notice any new vodka nor did I look for any. I used to love vodka but as I get older, it really gives me a hangover. So now I try to avoid vodka. But I did discover some nice martinis with a whiskey base.

Drank several Apple Manhattans. It is an apple flavored but whiskey based martini. Very good!

Hi Sherri. Yes the ship is in port till 7 and you must be on by 630.

We did the Blue Lagoon Beach break last time. I should probably keep my mouth SHUT because I dont want to talk yourself out of anything. I have seen rave reviews of Blue Lagoon but we were not one of them. Blue Lagoon is not an ocean front beach. It seemed like a run down resort IMO. But here are some factors that made it worse for us. In 2010 if you remember was the coldest winter ever, even in South Florida and it affected even the Bahamas. Our weather for that excursion was not great, no sun and it was cool. Also, we had a medical emergency on the ship so we got to Nassau about 40 mins late. So by the time we got to Blue Lagoon, it was after 230. The ship left the resort at 430 or 5 so it was not worth anything. I live near a beach so I expect to see the ocean if I am at the beach.

There are resorts in Nassau that will let you use the beach and their pools for much less than Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is the only excursion I regretted of all my cruising. As soon as we landed there, I immediately wanted back on the ship. Nothing but old rafts and beach toys and a canal sort of ditch to swim in.

Not my cup of tea but others seem to like it.

I'm glad you told me, David. I grew up on the jersey shore, and am also very used to being in Florida at the beach. I'd be very disappointed with this. I am fine with spending the day on the ship, and I'd rather do that. Thanks!!