What should I do about the Epic?

[steelcity5044]

Hi, I am really hoping that i might receive some help in making a decision about my cruise booked on the Epic for Nov 26th. I have cruised on the carnival Splendor, Carnival Freedon, Norwegian Spirit and Holland Zuiderdam and have enjoyed them all.

I was really excited about the Epic. We are booked currently with 4 in a Family Mini Suite and 2 in a large balcony(B6 I believe). But now I am second guessing my decision after reading all the negative posts and aspects about this ship. The things that are worring me are the bad layouts of the room; the smoke issue; the lack of out door areas; and the "nickle/diming".

I have been thinking maybe the Carnival Dream, Norwegian jewel out of NY or the Holland Nue Amsterdam might be a better fit. All depart the weekend after Thanksgiving.I guess i'm just looking for some reassurances or something that we are good with the Epic or should switch. We are a party of 3 kids(10 yrs/11 yrs/14yrs) and 3 adults(42/42/62). All non-smokers coming from Pennsylvania.

What do you think?

[fin]

I really hope you get some useful information and helpful answers.

 

NOBODY seems neutral on the Epic. It is apparently a matter of personal taste, and what is and is not important to you.

 

Of your choices, the only one I've been on was the Jewel, for an 11 nite trans-Atlantic from Dover to NYC. I found that ship to my own personal taste, but I much preferred the much smaller NCL Crown before she was dropped from the fleet.

[janh]

I was nervous also due to the negative reviews. The ship is fabulous. Go and enjoy yourselves.

[orangegrove]

My opinion is the following. Take the cruise and go with the flow. (pun intended! :D) We had a fantastic trip on the Epic. There were many things to do and very different from other cruise ships. I have sailed on Princess, Carnival, RC and a few smaller lines. We have been on NCL's Pearl 2x, the Star, and recently we did a b2b on the Epic. What can I say about nickel and diming...ahem...you pay extra for soda, alcohol, specialty restaurants, video games, laundry, etc. This is the same with most main stream cruiselines. You are free to purchase or not purchase the items. I love the freestyle concept of doing whatever, whenever. I do agree the cabins were narrower, we had a Deluxe Balcony, which they now are calling a Mini Suite for 2 adults and an 11yo. We are non smokers, had no major issues. The entertainment is unbelievable on this ship. We made do with the bathroom/cabin layout. Our favorite ship is the Pearl so far for cabin layout. I would suggest reading some reviews. Mine is posted here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1247686 and sdmike has a great review also his is here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1246585 I believe we both gave a fairly balanced review.

[kerrytens]

OP, I booked my trip before the Epic debuted and then started to read all of the reviews. I read about the smoke, narrow rooms, silly sink, separate shower/toilet issues too. And then I really thought about what these folks were complaining about - would they be the end of the world to me??? Not at all was what I decided.

 

I booked this ship because of everything it offers. This will be the first time I've ever taken a cruise for the ship itself vs the itinerary. I am so excited at the prospect of taking in some first class entertainment and some really cool dining options. Yes, many of the restaurants are for fee but who cares, I don't have a local tepanaki or churrasciaria near me (and if I did, I certainly wouldn't pay as little as what I'll be paying on the Epic). I'm going in knowing what I will and will not pay for. There is no nickel or diming involved if you know ahead of time.

 

Only you and you alone know what you will like and dislike. If the negatives seem too much for you, maybe they will be. If you think you can handle a small sink ;), go for it and enjoy!!!

[steelcity5044]

I'm ok with the cabin layout, in my opinion it's where I sleep and dress. My biggest concerns are the smoke(due to non-smokers who are heavily sensitive) and the overall opinion of how "non-exposed" to the outside you are. We have only been on ships where there are out door walk ways and areas to sit where you are outside and can see the ocean and experience actually being on a ship at see. From reading the reviews it almost seems like pretty much every area on this ship is enclosed and confined. Is this a correct interpretation?

[sdmike]

Go enjoy your fantastic cruise. She's a marvelous ship

 

have some fun reviewing my picture albums, then tell me if you're still worried.

 

http://public.fotki.com/ritchiefamily/san_diego_family/2010-pictures/epic-cruise-public-/

[kabhome]

I think there are pros and cons to most cruiselines and most ships. We were just on the Norwegian Jewel and had 2 adults and 2 children 13 and 10 in a balcony cabin. The room was unbearably small for all of us and when the upper bunk was down it was almost impossible to get on the balcony. We could have let this really get us down but instead we had a fabulous vacation. We really only sleep and shower in the cabins so we made the best of it.

 

We are booked on the Norwegian Epic in November 2012 in a family mini suite. The cabin is slighlty larger than balcony on the Jewel. I am a little worried about the size but am very excited about the amenities on the ship. I know we will have a great time and I choose to look at the positives. So I would go and have a great time. The ship looks wonderful!!

[erdoran]

I'm ok with the cabin layout, in my opinion it's where I sleep and dress. My biggest concerns are the smoke(due to non-smokers who are heavily sensitive) and the overall opinion of how "non-exposed" to the outside you are. We have only been on ships where there are out door walk ways and areas to sit where you are outside and can see the ocean and experience actually being on a ship at see. From reading the reviews it almost seems like pretty much every area on this ship is enclosed and confined. Is this a correct interpretation?

 

Incorrect. Lots of sea viewing on Decks 15 and above; some on deck 7, large aft balcony at spa. Wonderful floor to ceiling windows in the fitness center, and I think (never there during the day) Moderno, Manhattan Room, Cagney's. Lots of outdoor places to sit and look at the sea everywhere from Spice H2O back. There is plexiglass in many of the railings in sea view areas that may, or may not, be an issue to some; it wasn't to me.

 

Buffet also has great sea views in most areas, including a great bow view, so does La Cucina!

[ColinIllinois]

Incorrect. Lots of sea viewing on Decks 15 and above; some on deck 7, large aft balcony at spa. Wonderful floor to ceiling windows in the fitness center, and I think (never there during the day) Moderno, Manhattan Room, Cagney's. Lots of outdoor places to sit and look at the sea everywhere from Spice H2O back. There is plexiglass in many of the railings in sea view areas that may, or may not, be an issue to some; it wasn't to me.

 

Buffet also has great sea views in most areas, including a great bow view, so does La Cucina!

 

 

 

Erdoran, you are correct, there are plenty of indoor sea views but I found the Epic to be very restricted on outdoor views. That was one of the very few things I found to be negative on my two Epic cruises.

[sjbdtz]

Incorrect. Lots of sea viewing on Decks 15 and above; some on deck 7, large aft balcony at spa. Wonderful floor to ceiling windows in the fitness center, and I think (never there during the day) Moderno, Manhattan Room, Cagney's. Lots of outdoor places to sit and look at the sea everywhere from Spice H2O back. There is plexiglass in many of the railings in sea view areas that may, or may not, be an issue to some; it wasn't to me.

 

Buffet also has great sea views in most areas, including a great bow view, so does La Cucina!

 

Heck, even some of the public washrooms have floor-ceiling windows! :P

[sjbdtz]

Erdoran, you are correct, there are plenty of indoor sea views but I found the Epic to be very restricted on outdoor views. That was one of the very few things I found to be negative on my two Epic cruises.

 

 

What about SPICE H2O, or deck 17, 18 & 19?

 

Or deck 7.

 

 

 

.

[fast ed]

Just off this ship. Smoke in casino (am non-smoker) no big deal. Enough outside viewing areas and free dining options. Only issue I see for you could be the 4 people ( assuming 2 adults, 2 kids ) in mini suite cabin. Cabins from this level on down, are a little smaller than usual and you may feel cramped. All this aside, this ship gives you a lot of "bang for the buck" very good food, and incredible entertainment options.

[patseacruiser]

I LOVED the Epic. There were plenty of spaces to sit outside and my favorite was a covered area between spice and the kids waterworks. Nice comfy wicker cushion couches and very underutilized. I had no problem finding a great outside area to sit in. The Epic Plunge was great fun as were the other 2 slides. The adults only area was great and the only thing I have to say is why is there not steps in the adults only pool. I can't understand why you would put a ladder in a pool that maybe older people will use with knee or shoulder problems. Other than that it was awesome. I am a reformed smoker and we all know what they are like but the smoke in the casino was never an issue. I never smelled it. They have a lot of 'smoke eaters' all around the casino. I wouldn't cancel my Epic trip.

[ColinIllinois]

What about SPICE H2O, or deck 17, 18 & 19?

 

Or deck 7.

 

 

 

.

 

 

sjbdtz,

 

Spice H2O, view blocked by huge screen, which for the most part was not used much. Tall plexiglass partitions all around H2O.

 

High up quiet decks also have high plexiglass partitions all around.

 

No access to OUTSIDE front of ship views unless you are in the fancy rooms. :)

 

Running track, deck 7: Obstructed by all the life boats with the exception of about a twenty foot stretch.

 

The only real place you could hang over the rail and enjoy the view was the sun deck but if all the chairs are busy that's a no-go.

 

Again, I'm a huge Epic fan but that was one of my negatives. Perhaps not so important to others but I would have enjoyed more, as did others I had the pleasure of talking to on the ship.

 

Looking at a few ships that were in port with us (A Disney ship comes to mind) there were decks with nice views on front, sides and all around.

 

Now, to the OP for this one negative I had about fifteen positives. I would recommend the Epic to my friends. As a matter of fact they get sick of me talking about her. :)

[MiamiSpartan]

We got off the ship a week ago and had an amazing time!!

 

Every cruise line nickels and dimes you. NCL just gives you more options. Last time I checked, the cruise industry is a business, so of course they are going to have ways for you to spend more money IF YOU CHOOSE TO. No one is forcing you....

 

The shows are very enjoyable. I think you said you are travelling with kids. They will love it! Tons to do for them to keep busy...

 

Food and service were very good for a ship that size. We did premium dining 4 of the nights even tho we had only planned to do it twice....just kind of happened....

 

We liked the room and bathroom setup...made it easier for two people to get ready in the mornings or prior to dinner....

 

What ever choice you make, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

[steelcity5044]

Thank-you everyone for the info!!!

I have another question for you all - right now we have 4 booked in an M4 familiy mini suite and 2 in a b6 extended balcony side by side cabins. Would we be better off in the 2 bedroom family villa with balcony S4? How well do these cabins sleep 6 as oppsoed to 2 seperate cabins?

[sloweddie24]

you only pay for what you want. you can take this trip without opening up your wallet. they just have so many specialty restaurants for YOUR option. The smoke on the ship was a minor issue. what we did was just walk to one end of the ship or the other, depending on where you were going, and took the elevators at the end. a couple of times through the casino and the smoke was minimal. do not let the bad reviews deter you. its a fun ship. there are plenty of places to go on the ship..did you take the ship to walk around and see the ocean. you can see it from everywhere