Just got back from Epic Solo 12/17

[HowardK]

I just got back from the Epic Solo and will write a brief review or until I pass out. As some of you know I went on the Jewel last year and did not enjoy it very much. I thought my Epic trip was great, well worth the money and time.

It was a positive experience due to the other solos I met and the entertainment. Note, not everything was perfect, there are going to be instances where service is poor.

 

I will summarize by saying of the 128 studio cabins, we had perhaps up to 20 people at times participating in solo gatherings, meals, and shows. It seems many of these studio cabins are booked by parents for older children. I believe the person next to me was a staff member.

 

I was fortunate and in 12513, which only had one surrounding cabin and no connecting door. I enjoyed the room and thought the design was sleek. It was an improvement being on deck 12 versus deck 4 on the Jewel.

 

However, I spent most of my time on decks 5-7, so perhaps deck 8-9 would have been better in hindsight.

 

I ate most of my meals with the other solo travelers I met and to me that was one of the most important parts of the trip. The only dinner I ate alone was at Shanghia the last night and coincidentally another person ended up doing the same thing later- due to schedules people have during the day.

 

I think NCL should only allow people over maybe 25 or 30 to book these. If they are marketed toward solo travelers, than they should be kept to solo travelers.

[HowardK]

The entertainment was great. I saw Blue Men Group and Legends twice. I also saw the Second City the last night as well the international show and went to Howl at the Moon and Fat Cats several nights.

I play the piano and was able to play 2 nights with the band at each venue.

The casino sucked big time though. There were no decent quarter machines.

Bingo was a ripoff so I skipped it.

$70 in losses at slots/video black jack combined.

 

In terms of food, someone in our group mentioned to me it was like banquet food, and I agree with them. Somethings I enjoyed but I did not walk off the trip thinking I ate any meal that was great or outstanding. In the 90's I remember eating more impressive food.

However, I did not have high expectations for food even before the Jewel as I heard from coworkers not to expect it to be like the 90's

[HowardK]

I stuck to mostly Spice H20 for the pool area. However, you can not see off the ship there. I found that in the mornings I would go to the high deck of the general pool area before it was as crowded and towards the end I would move to Spice H20.

I found it ironic that it rained for 20 seconds and everyone freaked out and went inside. Oh well more room for me.

I am not a beach person, but found a few afternoons very relaxing, sitting and looking at the water. I used the small pool in Spice H20 a few times; that was relaxing as there were no kids in it.

 

In terms of sleeping, maybe 5 hours each night- I was very enthused to be there and did not want to miss being outside. I am not a drinker; I did drink when I went on the trips in the 90's when I was in my 20's, but since I am pushing 40 I stuck to water, iced tea, orange juice, milk because I wanted to be a little healtier to offset the lack of sleep.

[HowardK]

Mixed emotions on this, will cover in my review.

I wanted to attend some to have variety in my days.

I did the Ultimate Explorer Cruise in St Marteen and enjoyed the smaller boat ride.

In St Thomas I did a tour which had 2 hours at Magens Beach and then about an hour at Blackbeard's Castle (with a nice rum tasting) and then headed back,

 

*I did the See and Sea tour in Nassua and the Sea portion was very good which was a boat ride to a submarine but it was cut to 30 minutes on the sub due to the See portion being horrible.

 

We were dumped at a straw market next to a fort for 40 minutes while the driver left and picked up another group. I did not feel safe there as there were dogs running around and people bothering you to buy stuff.

Nowhere did the tour say we would be asked to leave the bus.

I should have stayed on.

 

*I went to the shore excursions desk and they gave me $34.50 back of the $69 I paid. They were willing to work with me, but I told them I felt my safety was jepordized and if they did anything more for me I would be sure to let NCL know I would appreciate it.

*I did let them know that I was also sent by newspaper to write a review.

They said no one else complained, but I said no one else is assertive and that is not my problem.

 

*Assuming I go on the Breakaway to Bermuda I will be very careful in what I pick.

 

Excursions are usually overpriced to begin with, but you should get the piece of mind of safety.

I explained I would not have paid to have been dumped off at a straw market.

[HowardK]

For breakfest I ate at the garden cafe everyday usually: pancakes, ham, bacon and potatoes. Last morning I ate at taste and it was excellent!!1

 

Lunch- usually garden cafe, or Oshennans (good burgers, but mediocre chicken pot pie and wings). Did the murder mystery lunch and food wasn't great. We went as a group to Tepennyaki and I liked it.

 

Between breakfast and lunch, it is more functional I would say, a means to and end. I was aware of this and okay with it.

 

Dinner, we did the first 2 nights at Taste. Service was horrible the second night. Its like they panic when 10 people are at a table. At the Manhatten room we were given 2 bottles of wine as our table of 12 had horrible service.

 

I thought some of the food I had though was very good.

 

The fourth night I ate at the garden cafe with others, and the 5th day the Italian Restaurant (which was more impressive on the Jewel) night 6 was the Circe De Sol show, (which was fun, but the food was nothing speical)

 

I did Shanghia on night 7 solo at 5:30, and the food was very tasty. I would recommend it.

 

Little things were nice at times, but when I write my formal review I will likely give it a 3 as nothing stood out as being that special. I would say 3.75 out of 5.

[HowardK]

At times this was poor other times excellent- a lot of people will have descriptions of things that happend to them.

 

One night I went to Oshennans and wanted to sit at the bar while eating so i could talk to others who might come by. The bartender waived his hand at me and told me to go sit at a table. I got a manager and explained I was going to sit at the bar, as I saw someone else with food there.

 

Finally, I got angry and took my food to a nice sofa and ate in front of a TV there. The waiter came over to talk to me and I said" I do not want you near me the rest of my trip, is that clear?". I was offered a pina cololda but declined it- who knows who made it.

 

I explained to the manager that in many sports bars, people sit at the bar while eating.

 

Disembarking was poor even though quick. Those of us leaving early were told to wait near the casino. Four people were let off at 7:10 and then we were told to stop. The problem was that deck wasn't cleared.

 

We were then instructed to move down to the front near the Epic theatre. Originally, they wanted us to turn around and walk back around Cageny's, but I explained that wasn't going to happen and led everyone through the Casino.

 

You would think the staff would know how to exit the ship properly at disembarkation time, but the said thing is they don't.

 

On the other hand, I was comped a few free bowling games at times.

I am kind of neutral given what happened with the excursion resolution and disembarkation.

 

Its a shame a few incidents like this happen, because there are many other people on board who worked really hard.

[HowardK]

I had a great time overall, but wanted to be objective and not sugarcoat anything, and yet not come off too overly critical.

 

In summary, between flight,hotel,cruise, misc. I believe this trip will end up costing $2,500 and it was a much better experience than the Jewel which was $1,500.

 

Our solo host Sol, was wonderful. I hope someone from NCL is reading this; she has what it takes to be a cruise director. She works very long days, and covers several roles and always has a smile on her face and is helpful.

She is a class act.

 

Other staff members that were great were Slam Allen and Paul from Howl at the Moon, they both graciously allowed me to come up on stage and play the piano with them across 5 nights.

 

Food was adequate with an occasional gem thrown in.

I liked the Studio cabin, but realize I had no connecting door and a neigbor who was likely an entertainer/musician.

 

Ports- very good, but perhaps in the future I should not rely on NCL for excursions

 

*Now for the most important thing as a solo traveler:

I always had people to talk to and eat with. Long live the Stray Dogs!!!!

It was nice anytime I ran into one of them.

Also, NO ONE ever asked me "So you are here by yourself?????????"

 

FUTURE PLANS:

Would I go on the Epic again:

Perhaps in 5 years.

 

My 2 considerations are the NCL Breakway or a cruise that would include other solos I met on this ship as well as those on the forum.

 

Please feel free to ask me any other questions:

 

I will be doing a more formal cruise critic review after a long anticpated nap.

zzzzzzzzzzzz

[mrobstad]

Glad you had a good time and I enjoyed I enjoyed your review. As I have said many times on this forum, I would only travel solo on the epic or breakaway sine I think ncl has most of this right; however, I believe the food in the specialty restaurants is so far superior to the mdr that I just wish other solos would join me there for dinners. If you paid an average of $20 extra per meal x 7days, it's just an extra $140 for superior meals. Glad to hear slam Allen is still around.

[capricorn_solo]

Wow Howard, very informative and thorough, thank you!!

 

Good call on the free Pina Colada, probably made with extra spit...

 

Your solo host was named Sol?!?!?! Really?!?!?! Come on man! Too funny!

 

As for your kerfuffle at the bar with the food, I have a sneaking suspicion that in many Asian cultures (am assuming most of the staff are from there), they act in a manner towards each other that westerners would find gruff, but which seems perfectly fine to them. Cruise lines don`t do enough training as far as cultural sensitivities are concerned. Same goes probably for passengers but we`re the ones paying the money so we should be treated respectfully as long as we don`t act like jerks.

 

One last thing... I hear a lot of solos talk about having meals by themselves. I am doing anytime dining on Princess in March and I intend to be seated at large tables with whoever arrives at the same time as me. That better work, I HATE eating alone.

 

Think I am going to start a thread on what activities solos like to do on the ship either on their own or as a means of meeting people...

 

Thanks again Howard for the great review.

[HowardK]

Hi guys, I agree with you on the $20x7 for the specialty restaurants- I did 3 but plan on a few more assuming I do the Breakaway next in 2013.

 

I looked at some Princess ships- they looked really nice.

I liked what the Epic offered; I am considering perhaps going with some friends to Orlando for a few days and then to do maybe a 3/4 night RCCL cruise when there is a low supplement.

 

My only apprehension of the Breakway is the reduction of solo cabins.

[ChooChooMan]

Had a studio - 11505 - for 7 days of fun.

Our Studio "Mom" was Natalie, and she was great to work with, and very good at her job on the cruise director's "staff." She has since left Epic for other endeavors.

I am a steak fan, and tried the filet at Cagnys' (good), Moderno (better), and Le Bistro (the best).

Service in the Manhattan Room was the worst on the ship - when you have to ask for your water glass to be topped off - constantly.....

I like O'Sheehans' Pub for the Shepard's Pie - and would order 2 when I sat down to eat! Did not have any problem with a bartender saying you can't sit here. Each time I ate there, I saw the Service Manager, and had good conversations with him about "service" and how NCL does it etc.....

The Garden Cafe was good, and easy to navigate. La Cucina, nicely placed forward on the ship, offered some pretty good italian food.

Lady Luck struck twice for me, and in the casino, I hit for 1,100 bucks on a slot machine, the last night of the cruise, after playing $30.00 of a $50.00 slot machine coupon I had!

The onboard entertainment was great - and I thoroughly enjoyed Howl at the Moon!

Will I cruise Epic again - yes!

[HowardK]

Hello, I see you are from NJ as well- would you be planning on going on the Epic again or to the Breakaway since it is closer in NYC?

 

Which machine did you hit the $1,100 on? I played on some $.25 machines but did a little better at video blackjack.

[ChooChooMan]

It was a dollar machine that allowed up to $3.00 per spin, and it was around the corner from the main casino area. It was 1:20am on the last night of the cruise - maybe the machine was ready to pay out something after taking in so much! Slots are notorious for being skimpy in pay outs. The highest jackpot could have been $6,000 - and I missed that by one click of the third wheel!

I am booked on the CCL Breeze this fall with a lady friend of mine, and we are considering the transatlantic voyage of Breakaway in April of 2013.

Have a Happy New Year.

[kcool]

that was a good review howard, glad you had a good cruise. i am going in a studio at the end of jan. did you really like the cabin? was there a place to sit besides on the bed? i also heard there are a lot of areas you can't see the ocean. where is the best place during the day to hang out, thanks, kevin

[Sh1035]

that was a good review howard, glad you had a good cruise. i am going in a studio at the end of jan. did you really like the cabin? was there a place to sit besides on the bed? i also heard there are a lot of areas you can't see the ocean. where is the best place during the day to hang out, thanks, kevin

 

That's my concern since its smaller then my bathroom and have always had a balcony. Would I suddenly feel boxed in?

[HowardK]

That's my concern since its smaller then my bathroom and have always had a balcony. Would I suddenly feel boxed in?

 

Hi Sh, I personally liked the cabin, but I have only been in inside staterooms and a few outsides with a porthole. I do tend to like it to be dark when I am sleeping though, so I enjoyed the isolation for a few hours.

 

For example, on my last cruise I had a porthole outside cabin on the Jewel perhaps listed as 128 sqft. 10x10=100 while 11.5x11.5 ~ the 128. Obviously the rooms are not square, but the difference is not that large.

 

The Jewel did have a larger bathroom-seperate from the room with the sink/shower/and toliet seperate.

However, I did not enjoy that cruise as much solo, so I was willing to compromise on a few things to have a better time. As it turns out though, even though the shower is in the room, at least the toilet has its own door.

 

Hi, Kcool, there really wasn't a place to sit other than the bed. There is a small stool that was under the desk which you could also store some items in.

 

I found the best place to see the ocean was on the deck above the pools, I was able to get a seat there early in the mornings and on the port afternoons after I got back around 1 or 2 pm.

 

Spice H20 was more enclosed, but on the other hand had no children and although the pool was smaller less people were in it which was nice. Note though that aside from the hot tubs which are in corners and a few seats, you don't get as good a view of the ocean from there.

 

I can see where people say it is more enclosed than other ships, but to me that was offset by the entertainment and the other solos I met.

 

I would say I slept in the room 4-5 hours a night, and the only other time I spent in there would be around 4:30 to until the Studio gathering started.

 

I do want to point out though that on our cruise we had some people not in studios joining the studio gathering- they did not restrict them from joining.

 

I think if I had a balcony I might be inclined to spend too much time (if there is a thing) in it, and then I might miss activities, socalizing, etc...

 

I considered going on the Gem last minute to Bermuda last year and getting a balcony/suite since there was no supplement very close to sailing, but had the Epic booked already

[kcool]

thanks howard, i may look into upgrading to a balcony since you can still go to the studio lounge

[tinaky1114]

Good Review Howard. Of Course, you know I am going to be a little more critical. You heard many of my issues during the week...lol. I only have time to list a couple things now but will add more later.

 

Let me start by saying this was only my 4th cruise and second as a solo. My first 3 were on Carnival and although not perfect, a better experience when it came to service and food. When I booked this cruise, I was looking at a number of cruise lines so I am not "Pro Carnival".

 

Even with the many service/food issues, I had an enjoyable cruise due to the fact that I met a wonderful group of people who I will remain in touch with. They made the trip worthwhile. I made a comment during the trip that if I had not met the group I did on the first night, I would've asked about disembarking in our first port and went home.

 

I want to agree with Howard on our solo cruise hostess, Sol from Argentina. She provided the best service of anyone I met on the ship. Her attitude was genuine and she would make an excellent Cruise Director. NCL...hope you are reading this!

 

I planned on eating in the specialty restaurants and figured this into my budget. I would've eaten in them every night had I been able to get a reservation with my group. It seemed after day 1, the only times you could get a reservation was very early or very late...neither of which I wanted. My best meal was at Cagneys (day 7) and I would've eaten there more than one night had I went there earlier in the cruise - best service here as well with Vinay as our waiter. Second was Le Bistro. I was very disappointed in Moderno. It was ok but I am used to land churrascaria. Some of the meats were way too tough especially the Pichana which is the brazillian specialty.

 

I will add more later.

[HowardK]

I planned on eating in the specialty restaurants and figured this into my budget. I would've eaten in them every night had I been able to get a reservation with my group. It seemed after day 1, the only times you could get a reservation was very early or very late...neither of which I wanted. My best meal was at Cagneys (day 7) and I would've eaten there more than one night had I went there earlier in the cruise - best service here as well with Vinay as our waiter. Second was Le Bistro. I was very disappointed in Moderno. It was ok but I am used to land churrascaria. Some of the meats were way too tough especially the Pichana which is the brazillian specialty.

 

I will add more later.

 

I found it frustrating that even with Sol calling, they couldn't accomodate a small group for Chineese- they could have split us up into smaller tables.

 

 

What did you have at Cagneys? That was the night I did Chineese in the end. I liked it, but found while the service was pleasant, it was a bit slow, I was there for 60 minutes and probably could have been out in 30.

[tinaky1114]

I found it frustrating that even with Sol calling, they couldn't accomodate a small group for Chineese- they could have split us up into smaller tables.

 

 

What did you have at Cagneys? That was the night I did Chineese in the end. I liked it, but found while the service was pleasant, it was a bit slow, I was there for 60 minutes and probably could have been out in 30.

 

 

I agree about not being able to get into Shanghai with our group especially after they had told Scott it would not be a problem not long before.

 

I had the Ribeye at Cagneys and it was cooked perfect. The warm espresso brownie was the best dessert I had all week. Best meal and service of the trip!

[Sh1035]

Thanks Howard. OK just curious what is the age group of the solo cruisers in the lounge?

 

Dont really want to be the dad or the son in the group :)

Edited December 30, 2011 by Sh1035

[dublell]

Thanks Howard. OK just curious what is the age group of the solo cruisers in the lounge?

 

Dont really want to be the dad or the son in the group :)

 

Based on my experience this past January, this isn't something you should have to worry about. We had people from their 20s to 90s in the living room. I think solo cruisers are pretty much like any other cruisers. They cover all age ranges and they cruise to have a good time. I'll be going on the Epic again next month, and I'm looking forward to it. I found the living room happy hour a great way to meet and talk to people of all age ranges and to find people to go to dinner or shows with.

[HowardK]

Hi Sh, I agree with dubell- there is a wide range of ages in the studio group and it really doesn't matter since everyone is there on vacation to enjoy themselves and people are interested in meeting one another and going to dinners/shows together.

 

I posted some of this on our roll call group- but every night since I have been back I seem to have some sort of dream related to the Epic- hence that is telling me it was a very positive experience.

 

On of the dreams was that some of the solos I was with got jobs on the Epic and I was jealous because I got a job on the Jewel (makes sense since I didnt like the Jewel)

 

Last night I woke up at 3am and thought I was still on the ship and thought my windows where the window in my cabin. Then I dreamed last night I had to go to Miami for some reason and decided to go on the ship again like a week later.

 

Now, although I have not sailed solo on RCCL; I found the studio lounge a much more relaxed way of finding people to eat with than going to a maitre de and asking to be seated with other solos.

 

Yesterday I actually went on to the 12/15/12 Epic Roll Call and said I was considering doing an "encore" trip.

 

However, I think the Breakaway is my next one. I emailed Simon Murray who is the entertainment director, told him how much I enjoyed it and he believes I will enjoy the Breakway as much

[tinaky1114]

I did love the studio lounge although I didn't like my studio neighbor. What a loud little Harlot! I got very little sleep listening to the unwanted entertainment going on for hours each evening. Thank goodness for the lounge for some peace and quiet. I almost brought my blanket and slept there a few nights.

[crusinpsychRN]

Aren't those cabins tiny? Can't walk around the bed?