Recap of first-time-ever NCLer going on EPIC . . .

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Or just circumvent the geo-blocking. (You can also Google how to do that.)

 

I like the way you think!

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

[kerrytens]

I watched that episode, though it was online - where the feed was start/stop... I have not checked recently, but I know initially it was in Canada only for some reason.

 

HERE is a link, where you'll find the show - in a couple of different formats.

 

If anyone else has another link - please post it! :)

 

Tom

It is a great show (I have it PVR'd to watch it over and over again). Feeds my current obsession:D

 

Hope you are able to find it online.

[DavyB]

I watched that episode, though it was online - where the feed was start/stop... I have not checked recently, but I know initially it was in Canada only for some reason.

 

HERE is a link, where you'll find the show - in a couple of different formats.

 

If anyone else has another link - please post it! :)

 

Tom

 

 

Thanks for the link Tom!! I've been waiting to see this show for months!!

 

David

[meltingmoments]

:):):):)

WOW!!!! Have just spent an extremely enjoyable hour or more reading this thread! Don......you are AMAZING!! Your reviews really bring your holiday to life! Thanks so much!! I am a complete novice to cruising....having only done one short trip on The Sky to the Bahamas......but I'm now a complete convert and hoping to try The Epic in 2012 for a Med cruise! If I go by your account.......our trip will be booked tonight!! ;)

Thanks again for a very entertaining and informative review......I loved it!! :)

[ashpam]

Don, Tom and Cheryl, and Sdmike,

 

Thank you so much for making the past 3 hours of my evening fly by so quick with your sharing of your adventure aboard the Epic! My family and I were thinking of doing this at the end of April 2011 but didn't know how we would feel about the EPIC size of the ship.:eek: So we opted instead for the Star as our first baby step into cruising (WE LOVED IT!! :D).

 

You have made this cruiser have the itch to go cruising again! Thankfully, the family was already looking at the possibility of a February 2012 cruise get away and the Epic just happened to PERFECTLY fit into our time slot! You have reaffirmed our first thought of doing the Epic and are now crossing our fingers hoping all goes well with booking this weekend! :D

 

P.S. If any of you are planning on a nice winter get away.. The February 11th 2012 sailing on the Epic would love to have you! ;)

[gatorliz99]

Thank you so much for the fantastic review. I feel so much more confident in what to expect from our trip! Woohoo!!!!!

[SAEMike]

Cagney's was delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and, of course, my dining company. Interesting that is shares the same entrance as Moderno, but it totally works.

 

 

 

 

A running joke for the week began this first night, when at the start of the meal Cheryl commented that she really enjoy enjoyed having a black napkin at dinner (a lipstick thing I don't totally grasp but it does sorta make sense). All I could think of was that with a black napkin in my lap, my pants being black, and the restaurant being a bit dark, I feared I might wipe my hands on my pants in error. Suddenly Cheryl dabs her mouth with her napkin - - it's white. What the deuce?? Didn't we just have this whole conversation about black. I take the black napkin from my lap and show her. Tom raises his own white napkin and we all look puzzled. We try to by sly are we check around the restaurant, and lo and behold every single person has a white napkin except one . . . Me.

 

It's probably on of those "you had to be there" moments, but it did create some fun chatter during the week.

 

My meal was so wonderful, and filling, that I skipped dessert entirely.

 

A good meal can often make you a bit sleepy, but we still had Blue Man Group to go before the end of this very full first day. That will certainly get you back wide awake . . . or will it??

 

So it's off to the EPIC Theatre for a night of entertainment.

 

 

 

 

My friend and I ate at Cagney's to celebrate my birthday on our recent trip. White napkins were on the table initially, but when we were seated, they were switched to black for both of us. I was dressed in a black crepe wool Armani suit and he was in black slacks with a grey dress shirt. The switching of napkins for one color to another is a sign of a high-end restaurant that is cognizant of its patron's attire. If they had left us with white napkins, we would have ended up with white lint on our pants. The black napkins ensured that didn't happen. The food at Cagney's also lived up to the high-end image and was wonderful.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

My friend and I ate at Cagney's to celebrate my birthday on our recent trip. White napkins were on the table initially, but when we were seated, they were switched to black for both of us. I was dressed in a black crepe wool Armani suit and he was in black slacks with a grey dress shirt. The switching of napkins for one color to another is a sign of a high-end restaurant that is cognizant of its patron's attire. If they had left us with white napkins, we would have ended up with white lint on our pants. The black napkins ensured that didn't happen. The food at Cagney's also lived up to the high-end image and was wonderful.

 

Thanks.

 

Yes, we came to that conclusion as well. Cheryl and I have encountered that elsewhere since, and it does make total sense.

I'm glad that you REALLY enjoyed your Epic cruise (from another thread), and thanks for the heads up that Armando is still onboard!! (Keeping fingers crossed that it is not quite yet time for his vacation... :D)

 

Tom

[stuckinbuffalo]

I have just spent several off and on hours reading this thread and have totally enjoyed doing so. We are sailing on the Epic on Jan. 14, 2012 and I cannot wait! Thanks to the amazing reviews I am now completely excited!

[behappy11]

I have enjoyed not only the review, but also the wonderful comments and add ons from others. Thanks! I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone can answer. My MIL loves playing bridge. Is there a games room on this ship where she can go and meet up with like minded card players? Do they ever have bridge games listed in the Freestyle Daily? Also just wondering if all of the balcony rooms on deck 11 and 12 are private/covered? Are there balconies I should avoid? Also, the ice bar looks fantastic. Does anyone know what the "cover charge" is for this venue?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... Also, the ice bar looks fantastic. Does anyone know what the "cover charge" is for this venue?

 

At least I can help you with one of your questions!

 

The Ice Bar is $20 - which includes two drinks.

 

Dress warmly... :D

 

HERE is a link to more ICE BAR info!!

 

 

Not sure if Don already posted this... if so, here it is again!

 

 

Tom

Edited October 31, 2011 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[behappy11]

Thanks for the ice bar info. That is now definitely on my "to do" list!! Hmm..I'm hoping to get the answers to my other questions before I book. Oh well, I might have to figure out how to start a thread and ask it there!

[sdmike]

Don, Tom and Cheryl, and Sdmike,

 

Thank you so much for making the past 3 hours of my evening fly by so quick with your sharing of your adventure aboard the Epic! My family and I were thinking of doing this at the end of April 2011 but didn't know how we would feel about the EPIC size of the ship.:eek: So we opted instead for the Star as our first baby step into cruising (WE LOVED IT!! :D).

 

You have made this cruiser have the itch to go cruising again! Thankfully, the family was already looking at the possibility of a February 2012 cruise get away and the Epic just happened to PERFECTLY fit into our time slot! You have reaffirmed our first thought of doing the Epic and are now crossing our fingers hoping all goes well with booking this weekend! :D

 

P.S. If any of you are planning on a nice winter get away.. The February 11th 2012 sailing on the Epic would love to have you! ;)

 

We're glad to help! Our next trip is Alaska, but I'm sure we'll be back on the Epic soon after! Have a great time!

[sdmike]

I have enjoyed not only the review, but also the wonderful comments and add ons from others. Thanks! I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone can answer. My MIL loves playing bridge. Is there a games room on this ship where she can go and meet up with like minded card players? Do they ever have bridge games listed in the Freestyle Daily? Also just wondering if all of the balcony rooms on deck 11 and 12 are private/covered? Are there balconies I should avoid? Also, the ice bar looks fantastic. Does anyone know what the "cover charge" is for this venue?

 

There wasn't a card room on Epic, and I don't recall seeing any card tournaments other than poker in the casino. Someone will correct me if that's changed since my trip in 2010

 

All of the balconies from deck 10 up are covered. There are some on deck 9 that are not (not many), and quite a few on deck 8. I would try to book deck 10 and above just because the view is a lot better than lower, in my opinion.

 

Have fun!

Edited November 1, 2011 by sdmike

[behappy11]

Thanks for your help. I am guessing that I'll have to keep her busy in the casino instead! One other question re: balconies on 11 and 12. Do you lose privacy due to the balconies that jut out? It sort of looks like this from the floor plans, but I'm not sure I'm reading those correctly!

[PeaPod1946]

I wanted to add my thanks to Don & contributors for a great review even though I've only read through P. 20 a few weeks ago - I booked for 2013!

 

Behappy - do a search for "Is my balcony covered" as there is a long thread with a ton of info about this which may help you.

[N747KT]

Continuing on to the back/aft/ass end of the ship, I got to closely check out Spice H2O, the adults-only area of the ship that (at least to my knowlege) did successfully remaing that way throughout the week. Signage is clearly positioned, and I assume that staff is properly monitoring the space, if needed. On sea days the place can get quite full -- indicating to NCL (and other lines who might care to listen) that there is a definite desire for quality locations like this during cruise vacations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, that last shot was taking on a port day while most passengers were off the ship.

 

 

Throughly enjoying reading your review. Sailing on nov 12 cant wait! I like the stadium style seating

[N747KT]

Earlier that morning, while grabbing another enjoyable breakfast at Garden Cafe, crew members were already at work making sure that EPIC kept looking spiffy with a bit of pressure washing.

 

 

Also, after Shanghai's, I headed to see Howl At The Moon, and found these three performers to be exceptionally talented, each with their own personal strengths, yet working together as a wonderfully cohesive whole. Well, done, gentlemen! Thanks for the memorable entertainment!! I went back later nights as well.

 

Where does Howl at the Moon play on the ship?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Where does Howl at the Moon play on the ship?

 

Headliners Comedy Club :)

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

H O L Y . . . M O L Y

 

There have been over 90,000 views of this thread.

 

WAY TO GO DON!!

 

Enjoy your upcoming cruise Don - I think you'll have a great time!

 

Tom

[kerrytens]

H O L Y . . . M O L Y

 

There have been over 90,000 views of this thread.

 

WAY TO GO DON!!

 

Enjoy your upcoming cruise Don - I think you'll have a great time!

 

Tom

 

That is a LOT of views! Wow.

What ship is Don sailing? Hope it is another NCL ship so we can benefit from his 'review' again:D Been a while since Don has posted ... think it is time again!

[N747KT]

Headliners Comedy Club :)

 

Tom

 

Thanks you very much for your reply! So looking forward to seeing the show a week from tomorrow!! Yipee!

[RobinSie]

It's been many years and 2 kids since my DH and I have cruised. I was hooked on NCL when I first sailed Starward back in 1990. After a long absence we sailed NCL Dawn in 2003. Now, with kids 6 & 8, I was highly considering RCL FOS (based on a friend telling me it was THE best ship for families, but after reading this amazing review, I just cannot not (sorry about the double negative) book Epic. We will most likely sail sometime between Oct & end of year 2012. Thank you all for your contributions to this thread and for reminding me how much and why I love NCL!

[Tadhg]

Don-

As so many others have already done, I want to thank you.

My wife & I have just finished reading your Epic review, and are now even more excited, and "prepared," to have a great time on the Epic in 13 days, 3 hours, 48 minutes, and 4 seconds, 3 seconds, 2 seconds...

This will be our 13th cruise, but first on NCL. However, any pre-cruise "concerns" have either been addressed, or done away with completely, after reading this descriptive, funny, and informative piece.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Tim & Sharon

 

P.S. You've got us thinking we need to attend the CC "gathering" on board, something we've never done before.

[kjquilts]

 

As you'll notice in the photo above, you arrive in the big bowl, and the momentum is certainly enough to take you in, at least, two full circles before you need to navigate your way to the entrance of that final slide drop for the exit. Easy . . . or perhaps not.

 

While holding carefully on my trusty camera with one hand (yes, once again capturing more video memories) I use the other hand to help propel myself to the exit slide opening. Not quite getting the desired positioning, I shift my body weight that direction to help 'nudge' it, and . . .

ooops . . . ouch . . . oh, crap . . . not good . . . help . . .

My inner tube stays in the big bowl, and I travel, head-first, through the exit. Yep, that experience is on video as well.

With camera held above the water line, I finish the slide experience to see Tom with a 'Wow' look on his face, and the next kid in line with a "Dude, where's your tube?" look.

Tube arrive shortly, and all was good. All in all it was a really fun slide, and I definitely enjoyed all three. :D

 

I was able to repeat all on the last sea day before that had to shut 'em down due to realy high winds.

 

 

LOL you really need a spew alert on this one. I'm re-reading this thread and laughed so hard when I got to this post it scared my dog.