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

[e2011]

Don,

 

We went on the Epic shortly after it went into service and the smoke problem from the casino was a huge negative. Because the casino had no roof and was open to several other decks the smoke would even go into the shoppping mall area to the point it made us sick. I have read they solved the problem with smoke eaters in the casino but I wanted your observation having been on her recently.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Don,

 

We went on the Epic shortly after it went into service and the smoke problem from the casino was a huge negative. Because the casino had no roof and was open to several other decks the smoke would even go into the shoppping mall area to the point it made us sick. I have read they solved the problem with smoke eaters in the casino but I wanted your observation having been on her recently.

 

I thought I might offer my take on it as well. I spend WAY too much time in the casino, so both how my throat feels and how my clothes smell is a good indicator. On the sailing with Don, I really did not pick up on any major smoke issues (I was surprised). On our return trip 9 months later the casino seemed more crowded the entire trip - and it was like night and day smoke-wise compared to our first trip. My throat stayed in a constant state of irritation. I ended up with a cold for a few days after I got off - so not really sure if I was in a pre-cold mode and was just more sensitive to it or what... but it was quite smokey that trip (Thanksgiving 2011). Still had a GREAT time.

 

Tom

[tymike]

Ah . . . and I certainly can't forget . . . any ship that chooses to play JT on the big screen for entertainment the morning of debarkation is tops in my book!! :D

.

.

 

Okay....I've sailed on the Dawn (LOVED IT!) and am going on the Breakaway next summer but if the Epic chooses James Taylor for debarkation I may just book another cruise on the Epic! I can't imagine anything more fantastic than hearing James played on a big screen on a cruise ship...except maybe having him there in person!!:D

 

I have read your entire review and I can't thank you enough!

[picklebongo]

OH yes... the Legend! Heading back in about two months -- to our favorite aft corner! :D

 

 

Tom

 

What ship and cabin is this? I cancelled an aft because it didn't have enough of an overhang, but this looks excellent.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

What ship and cabin is this? I cancelled an aft because it didn't have enough of an overhang, but this looks excellent.

 

Spirit class ships - deck 4 is the only deck to have this degree of overhang. 4228 and 4237 are our GO TO cabins on those ships. If they are not available, we find another date/ship!

 

Tom

[shoegirlscloset]

Thank you Don and T&C...your reviews and info re: Epic cruising caused us to book another cruise on the Epic. The first didn't go so well last year as I was terribly ill with EBV the whole time. Not something I'd want to repeat. We are booked on the 10/7 Barcelona r/t in a two bed suite. The video mentioned just above was so informative. We will be fine with the balcony...hubs will love the secluded nature...he likes to wave ;) at passing ships. :eek:

[Ismay1912]

.......and...

 

Sun Worshipers can book that same type balcony category aboard the Carnival Legend.......

 

Deck #8, Stateroom #8268 (Port-Side)....

 

No overhang..........bring the sunscreen! (and loved every minute of it!!)

 

 

 

Ismay:D

[L2J]

I really hate that NCL balconies (for the most part) are SO damned small. It's one of the few imperfections I have found with their ships but a BIG one.

 

 

Psst.....lady with the polished horns.

[halos]

psst.....lady with the polished horns.

hi! :)

[L2J]

hi! :)

 

:D (have to add something to this message....said it was too short...WTH?)

[halos]

:D (have to add something to this message....said it was too short...WTH?)

 

try email :p

[BlancaNoir]

Actually, the meatloaf wasn't bad at all (to me). :)

I don't eat mashed potatoes, period, so I can't comment there.

I ate two of the onion rings, foregoing the one that had potato 'residue' on it. :o

I cut off a piece of the dessert, smeared it around in the caramel drizzle to coat it, and gave it a try. Not impressed, so that's all there was to that experience.

 

Thank you for including pictures of the beautiful dishes (like the teppenyaki sizzling!!) and the gross (meatloaf and phallic eclairs). The honesty in the pics and review makes your praise for the Epic even more impressive.

 

NCL should pay you for this review! I was incredibly excited about theEpic until all the reviews came rollling in. This is the first Epic review, good or bad, that has rekindled my interest in sailing the Epic. I was feeling like Epic sucked and why would anyone bother when Oasis and Allure were in the picture. But now I am intrigued and can also see why people don't mind paying for all the speciality restaurants and such. They look awesome!!!

[tksail]

I really hate that NCL balconies (for the most part) are SO damned small. It's one of the few imperfections I have found with their ships but a BIG one.

I sure hope we won't be disappointed on our two Epic cruises/20 days in October-November!! :)

[Ismay1912]

Having sailed with NCL numerous times, I certainly hope that you don't come away disappointed. I'm not sure what kind of room you will be staying in to make you think that you'll be disappointed, but don't let it spoil the good time that awaits you on an NCL ship.

 

We just came off of the "Oasis" in April, and we had a fabulous time....it is something that all should experience at least once...........

 

But, as my saying goes........the Norwegian Way is the Only Way.

 

 

 

Ismay.:D

[kerrytens]

I sure hope we won't be disappointed on our two Epic cruises/20 days in October-November!! :)

My balcony on Epic was a nice size actually. We were in an MA but I don't believe that mini suite balconies are any bigger than the other balconies except for a few that are marketed as such.

 

I don't think you will be disappointed at all.

[RobinSie]

Our family (including kids 6 & 8) and oldest son and wife are booked for the Dec. 1 sailing thanks to this fabulous review. Our final payment is due and I've never been so excited to make a payment on anything. We are looking forward to a fabulous time and fully expect bumps in the road. Those bumps usually make the funniest (if not best) memories. Thanks so much to all who have contributed. I savor each and every tidbit.

[Ismay1912]

......And please be sure to give us your rendition, RobinSie, of your December Sailing aboard the Epic........

We would love to hear how it went.......

 

Spare us NO details........

 

Happy Sailing...

 

 

 

 

Ismay:D

[BabsinTX]

Don: Your Epic review is an absolutely amazing piece of writing. Yesterday we booked the 12-7-2013 Eastern Caribbean cruise on Epic, though we were concerned how we would like such a big ship. Your review has totally changed my attitude! As I read it, I felt I knew how folks in England looked forward in anticipation to each new chapter of a Charles Dickens novel. Way to go!

[MarvKirsch]

Thanks to Don for an amazing ship review. First NCL cruise coming up in Dec on the Epic, looking forward to it. Also thanks to Tom-n-Cheryl for their insights as well. Still doing my research, but our group (8 in total) expect to have a great time. I do have 1 question...Posh Pass, what exactly is that?

[Minoushka]

The service i received on Ncl Epic cannot be compared .both my sister and i

i were quite sick and looked after by the doctorson oard .They called regularlyto check on us .top knotch care

the hotelmanager allwed his secretary to take care of all our reservations and questions .She was wonderful

we ot to visit the bridge ...inside,I 95 ..the magic road inthe bowels of the sjip where everything is transportedby little tractors ...huge and fascinating

posh was wonderful

All eating venues great ...the shows truly fabulous

the Epicis a destinationunto itself .I went for the ship and it did not disappoint

i did oth a caribbean and transat and highly recommendit to really have time to enjoy this ship ....1 week is just not enough

Fabulous ship ,crew food was great and the shows Unique ...plus i loved the Casino

 

I highly recommend Epic ..it was fabulous

 

Michele

[AdrenalineRush]

Don

 

Hope you are having a great cruise on Epic this week!

[cruisingcasinos]

enjoying your review immensely- heading out on march 9 (my second go round on the epic) had to laugh when i read "I don't eat mashed potatoes, period, so I can't comment there.

I ate two of the onion rings, foregoing the one that had potato 'residue' on it."

I won't touch anything that comes within 1/2 inch of potatoes!

[lostone65]

Thanks so much for such an awesome and funny review! Skyfire53 pointed me to your review and I loved it. We are sailing on the Epic in 12/7/13 and I am more excited than I thought possible after reading your review! than you again!

[DGP1111]

You are quite welcome! Thanks! :) . :)

 

 

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I've been tempted to add some things to this thread, having been on Norwegian Epic twice more since then (most recent in late February)

 

Some things would be 'stuff' that's either new or different from the first . . . including a re-visit to La Cuccina (I'd vowed to not return, but I did -- Yes, I lied :o). That last visit was majorly different from the earlier ones on so many levels, after overcoming a brief 30-second hurdle.

 

And after my first experience for the onboard Blue Man show . . . much/most of which I don't remember . . . the third time was the 'charm', when unexpectedly becoming a part of the show.

 

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[lostone65]

You are quite welcome! Thanks! :) . :)

 

 

.

I've been tempted to add some things to this thread, having been on Norwegian Epic twice more since then (most recent in late February)

 

Some things would be 'stuff' that's either new or different from the first . . . including a re-visit to La Cuccina (I'd vowed to not return, but I did -- Yes, I lied :o). That last visit was majorly different from the earlier ones on so many levels, after overcoming a brief 30-second hurdle.

 

And after my first experience for the onboard Blue Man show . . . much/most of which I don't remember . . . the third time was the 'charm', when unexpectedly becoming a part of the show.

 

.

 

Oh please do add to this review! Or start a new one! :-)

 

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