the good and bad of Epic. and bathrooms!

[JokerABC]

http://www.frommers.com/deals/cruise/article.cfm?dealID=CRUISE&articleID=6876&t=A%20Review%20of%20NCL%27s%20Norwegian%20Epic%3A%20A%20Flawed%20Giant%20with%20Va-Va-Voom

[Sauer-kraut]

Thanks for posting that link, it is a very interesting read! I'm not sure she's the ship for me, I like knowing I'm at sea. ;)

[sottovoce]

Some comments and corrections to the Frommer's review:

 

1. Second City's Presumed Murdered was performed many times on Epic's trans-Atlantic, not "once."

2. Nearly everyone I talked with thought Cirque Dreams was excellent. Yes, some of the dialogue could be cut out, and the show streamlined. Not a big deal.

3. Never did we find condensation on our ceiling after a shower. Hannafin's showers must be marathons or pseudo-steambaths.

4. Yes, the sinks are too small. We wiped the counter around ours after using. A minor nuisance.

5. The length of beds in balcony staterooms is a problem for those over six-feet tall. Truly.

6. There was more storage in our balcony cabin than any other that we've occupied. We were still finding new cupboards on day five of the cruise.

7. There was no significant movement of the ship during our trans-Atlantic, even with nine-foot waves.

8. We had no problem navigating Epic. Other than the buffet and spa, all main public areas are on decks 5, 6. and 7. There are stairways fore and aft (and both port and starboard) plus escalators and a stairway midships to move among these three decks.

9. Regarding feeling "at sea," the tiered seating on the stern at Spice H2O hearkens back to older ships and provides an outdoor place to sit and sun while looking out over the ocean. It is much like Spirit's, for those who are familiar with that ship, but with a large TV screen right at the stern instead of a kids pool.

10. One thing we found disconcerting was the lack of contact with Epic's Cruise Director. With so many entertainment venues, passengers will miss the nightly contact with the Cruise Director in the main theater. Somehow it's nice to attach a human face to the inanimate ship, and this will be difficult on Epic. The Cruise Director seems to be just a voice at the other end of the public address system. I think NCL should find a way to address this.

 

We very much enjoyed Epic, despite start-up issues like non-functioning telephone, television, and safe in our stateroom (all fixed by day three).

[Leyndon]

Some comments and corrections to the Frommer's review:

 

3. Never did we find condensation on our ceiling after a shower. Hannafin's showers must be marathons or pseudo-steambaths.

 

7. There was no significant movement of the ship during our trans-Atlantic, even with nine-foot waves.

 

Agreed with you on all points except these. My shower set off the alarm despite having a fully open balcony door...! I had to answer the door in a towel, as I did not even hear it go off.

 

And I was having to hold on to the handrails, and refusing to take the stairs on some days due to the deep waves...two things I never normally do. :)

[Bars7816]

At the risk of sounding like a traditionalist, Epic and other ships would look and feel more like passenger liners if all that paraphernalia (slides, etc.) from the top deck were removed. Also would love to see the old fashioned (Titanic) -- shouldn't invoke that name -- deck chairs again.

 

Ok, throw the rotten fruit!! :p

[Sauer-kraut]

You can still find those "grand crossing" type deck chairs at Smith & Hawken ;)

[sottovoce]

Agreed with you on all points except these. My shower set off the alarm despite having a fully open balcony door...! I had to answer the door in a towel, as I did not even hear it go off.

 

And I was having to hold on to the handrails, and refusing to take the stairs on some days due to the deep waves...two things I never normally do. :)

Strange. A serious auto-immune-caused neuropathy has caused my legs to weaken severely and my balance to be quite poor. I never had a problem. But then, I always hold the handrails as a result.

[Bars7816]

Thanks, but don't wish to buy teak deck chairs, just want to see them on the ships. Holland America still uses them, I believe. :)

[Pennypocket]

For those seeking a huge ship at extermely low rates I would suggest waiting about a year to clean out all of the Can't wait to try this new fade called Epic crowd. Then NCL will discover that this behemoth just is not that great to attract a consistent well paying crowd and down will come the fares to fill it. So hang back let the swells carry the first year and come on board the second year at much lower rates.

[Bars7816]

You mean "swells" like rich people? Hahahahaha. That is soooo funny.

[sdmike]

For those seeking a huge ship at extermely low rates I would suggest waiting about a year to clean out all of the Can't wait to try this new fade called Epic crowd. Then NCL will discover that this behemoth just is not that great to attract a consistent well paying crowd and down will come the fares to fill it. So hang back let the swells carry the first year and come on board the second year at much lower rates.

 

Have you sailed on it?

[indimini]

So hang back let the swells carry the first year and come on board the second year at much lower rates.

If I were Royal Caribbean, I'd be more worried about filling the Oasis and Allure consistently. Trying to fill 2 mega ships like these is going to be tough long-term IMHO. Right now, when you compare prices, EPIC is already much more competitively priced than either of the RCI ships.

 

I can swing NCL prices for suites, but I can't/won't pay 11K + for a comparable room on Oasis/Allure. My guess is I'm not the only one feeling that way.

[ceejaykay]

Sottovoce, thanks for adding your impressions to the Frommer's article. Even after reading the Frommer review, I still can't wait to go on my Mediterranean cruise next May. I don't expect perfection on any vacation. I can adjust to the ship's perceived flaws and have a great time anyway. :)

[Jumbiecruiser]

If I were Royal Caribbean, I'd be more worried about filling the Oasis and Allure consistently. Trying to fill 2 mega ships like these is going to be tough long-term IMHO. Right now, when you compare prices, EPIC is already much more competitively priced than either of the RCI ships.

 

I can swing NCL prices for suites, but I can't/won't pay 11K + for a comparable room on Oasis/Allure. My guess is I'm not the only one feeling that way.

 

First of all, Oasis is a proven winner with the cruising passengers as a whole. The jury is still out on the Epic. Second, Royal Caribbean is asking and getting those top dollars for the Oasis and Allure has been taking reservations since April. I would not worry about Royal Caribbean and filling the two Oasis class ships. I would worry about the Epic being shipped off the Europe year round due to the fact that she flops with the American public due to shortcomings of the those cabins. So guess again and do a little homework before making such accusations that you cannot back up.

[DrD]

First of all, Oasis is a proven winner with the cruising passengers as a whole. The jury is still out on the Epic. Second, Royal Caribbean is asking and getting those top dollars for the Oasis and Allure has been taking reservations since April. I would not worry about Royal Caribbean and filling the two Oasis class ships. I would worry about the Epic being shipped off the Europe year round due to the fact that she flops with the American public due to shortcomings of the those cabins. So guess again and do a little homework before making such accusations that you cannot back up.

 

WOW, ease up! He didn't make an "accusation," he just gave his opinion (that's what IMHO means).

 

Where is the accusation?

 

Funny thing is you are doing the same thing, stating our opinion about the "shortcomings" of the cabins without any real evidence.

 

Sounds like you really need a cruise.

[dalgirl]

First of all, Oasis is a proven winner with the cruising passengers as a whole. The jury is still out on the Epic. Second, Royal Caribbean is asking and getting those top dollars for the Oasis and Allure has been taking reservations since April. I would not worry about Royal Caribbean and filling the two Oasis class ships. I would worry about the Epic being shipped off the Europe year round due to the fact that she flops with the American public due to shortcomings of the those cabins. So guess again and do a little homework before making such accusations that you cannot back up.

 

I didn't see an accusation - I saw some healthy speculation and wishful thinking - something I also hope to see. We have already booked Epic for the Med next fall (mostly because of the single cabins for DM). but I will be watching the price and hoping for a fall before we sail - and I would love to try Oasis, if only the price will come down. So I hope that many of my fellow Americans will turn their backs on the Epic - I really, really, really, love a bargain:D

[UK_Cruiser]

First of all, Oasis is a proven winner with the cruising passengers as a whole. The jury is still out on the Epic. Second, Royal Caribbean is asking and getting those top dollars for the Oasis and Allure has been taking reservations since April. I would not worry about Royal Caribbean and filling the two Oasis class ships. I would worry about the Epic being shipped off the Europe year round due to the fact that she flops with the American public due to shortcomings of the those cabins. So guess again and do a little homework before making such accusations that you cannot back up.

 

 

Here's hoping :D

 

Would suit me fine having done the Caribbean to death and it would save me about £2000 in airfares !

 

In fact station her in a UK port and I will be delighted !

[UK_Cruiser]

I didn't see an accusation - I saw some healthy speculation and wishful thinking - something I also hope to see. We have already booked Epic for the Med next fall (mostly because of the single cabins for DM). but I will be watching the price and hoping for a fall before we sail - and I would love to try Oasis, if only the price will come down. So I hope that many of my fellow Americans will turn their backs on the Epic - I really, really, really, love a bargain:D

 

 

Methinks this is a RCI senior employee crapping their pants that EPIC is going to be more of a success than RCI have given NCL credit for.

 

;)

[Jumbiecruiser]

Methinks this is a RCI senior employee crapping their pants that EPIC is going to be more of a success than RCI have given NCL credit for.

 

;)

 

Try again. Unlike some cheerleaders, I cruise all of the major lines and am not hooked to any one. And given NCL's track record over the last twenty years, I seriously doubt that the CEO of any other lines are worried about NCL's latest venture.

[insidecabin]

First of all, Oasis is a proven winner with the cruising passengers as a whole. The jury is still out on the Epic. Second, Royal Caribbean is asking and getting those top dollars for the Oasis and Allure has been taking reservations since April. I would not worry about Royal Caribbean and filling the two Oasis class ships. I would worry about the Epic being shipped off the Europe year round due to the fact that she flops with the American public due to shortcomings of the those cabins. So guess again and do a little homework before making such accusations that you cannot back up.

 

Its all about the bigger picture getting good prices for the new ships is only part of the revenue equation.

 

It's not filling the ships but attracting new PAX that is most important.

 

If RCI or NCL fill the ships with existing PAX they just end up with berths to fill on the rest of the fleet.

[UK_Cruiser]

Try again. Unlike some cheerleaders, I cruise all of the major lines and am not hooked to any one. And given NCL's track record over the last twenty years, I seriously doubt that the CEO of any other lines are worried about NCL's latest venture.

 

 

;)

 

For the record I've never sailed NCL in my life but mostly RCI and I am bored stiff of RCI ships and the attitude of RCI passengers that for some reason feel they are way above NCL, Carnival et al (that's Latin by the way)

[david_sobe]

;)

 

For the record I've never sailed NCL in my life but mostly RCI and I am bored stiff of RCI ships and the attitude of RCI passengers that for some reason feel they are way above NCL, Carnival et al (that's Latin by the way)

It is a jealous hate and envy ;)

[intrepid_guy]

Try again. Unlike some cheerleaders, I cruise all of the major lines and am not hooked to any one. And given NCL's track record over the last twenty years, I seriously doubt that the CEO of any other lines are worried about NCL's latest venture.

 

Track record eh?

 

Hmmm, a short list of firsts on NCL that you probably find on YOUR ships....

 

First Internet Cafe at sea

First Specialty dining

First Freestyle (Anytime dining)

First casino loyalty program

First private island for their passengers

First mega cruise ship (2000 berths)

First air-sea program (Cloud 9 at the time)

First Homeland cruises

First year-round 7 day caribbean cruises

First year-round cruises from NYC

First suite complex at sea

First broadway caliber shows at sea

First (only) year-round Hawaii cruises

First children's programs

 

 

That is a terrible track record... and one many cruise lines have since emulated!!!

 

~Intrepid

[indimini]

Hi Jumbiecruiser, it's me, indimini. Nice of you to come to the defense of RCI. :D

 

However, please read posts with a bit more consideration before getting all bent out of shape. As others pointed out, I've not accused RCI of anything. I was simply offering my opinion that RCI may find it hard to continue charging the prices the two new ships are currently getting.

 

Let's be objective shall we -- first the economy continues to be a downer, limiting the # of people who can afford expensive vacations. Second, as more mega ships sail the Caribbean waters, the # of cabins to fill increases, meaning a need for incentives for all cruise lines to try to attract dollars.

 

When I see lines like Celebrity offering mid-summer cruise fares on Solstice for 1099 pp for Aqua class, or see sub $1000 fares on Freedom/Independence class RCI ships for 7 day Eastern/Western, or watch as NCL offers $99 airfare to attract customers, it tells me that the demand isn't as strong as any of the cruise lines would like. With Disney bringing two new, larger ships to the Caribbean in the coming years, they may also attract families away from RCI's Oasis class ships.

 

All of these mega ships were ordered way in advance of the global downturn in the economy when market trends showed strong growth for the cruise industry. The market realities have changed and I'm expecting all of the cruise lines will need to act accordingly.

 

If RCI can keep getting top dollar for Oasis/Allure, I say good on them. All I was speculating on is that as the competition for passengers increases, in a value-conscious market, people (especially for the suite-level cabins) will find a lot to like on the EPIC which offers a relative bargain for that level of service.

[dalgirl]

Methinks this is a RCI senior employee crapping their pants that EPIC is going to be more of a success than RCI have given NCL credit for.

 

;)

 

Nope, Methinks you are way off base. I am a total cheapy, who likes a bargain;) I am too cheap to go with the more expensive lines when NCL offers just as much service, better entertainment, more choice, and good food on the whole. Let all the people complain about the bathrooms on the epic - the more they stay away, the better deal I will get when booking. I only share the room with DH, and I can put a towel on the floor when coming out of the shower (who ARE these messy people??) Just make sure to put Do not Disturb when you are using the facilities:o I hope that the Epic Med cruise I have booked for Oct 2011 will keep dropping in price because the picky people go somewhere else. I will just keep rebooking the bargain. I really love NCL - but hey, I would like to go on the Oasis - it looks fun, and isn't that what we are all looking for:D