Epic w/ 1 year old... Good idea?

[onthegreenz]

Hi everyone

 

First let me say thank you to all in advance for any advice/tips you have.

 

My family along with some friends (group of 12) are looking to book a cruise for Nov 2012, we have always been an RCI customer , prev sailed Oasis, Freedom, Liberty etc. We have no problem going back.. butttt

 

We were kind of looking at Epic, the brochure sold us =)

 

However this year is different as both myself and my brother have a baby. My daughter will be 1 by that time, and his daughter will be 11 months. plus were bringing our parents and some other clowns (family friends) =)

 

My major concerns are as follows and I was hoping if previous parents / passengers can give us some insight

 

1) Cabins

I have been in all cabins of all sizes, but for the Epic we were looking at just a standard inside. We spent 0 time in there but will the provided Pack N play (Norwegian) fit in there? Its ironic that Im asking this because Norwegian rep didn't seem sure at all.

 

2) Passageways

No promenade =( so my other concern is walking around with stroller. Granted, we will bring a no bells and whistles stroller, still will there be an issue getting around boat , in/around restaurants,pool/activities area etc ?

 

3) Smoke

Smoke doesn't bother me, but it bothers both of our wives quite a bit. We've seen reviews about this boat being quite smoky? Not good for the kids.. can anyone confirm or deny?

 

4) Kiddie Pool

Granted, neither of our babies will be doing Olympic laps.. still it would be nice to have a place for them to splash. I know RCI has an incredible area for the kids, Im not looking for that but any thoughts?

 

Bonus Question

 

This isn't about my baby, but more so we have family who are in there young 20's and parents who are in their 60's, I just want to make sure the Epic has stuff for them to do. Our parents loved the promenade and its a concern with Epic, because Im not sure if they have something similar or so? Im not worried about the 20's as Im sure they'l find something to entertain themselves.

 

Thank you again for your time and help, appreciate it much. By all means, be blunt and frank with me, since I was the lucky one to book this years cruises.. I can not mess this up. lol. Also, if the EPIC isn't good for infants, and you feel Oasis and Allure is a better fit, please let me know as well.

 

Have a great Holiday all and a Happy New Year !!!

 

Z. Thomas

[jdvmd]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

I am sorry that I cannot answer your question regarding the Pack and Play. I was able to see every type of cabin during our Epic cabin crawl and thought the insides were just find. It will be very tight but you already know that and have plans to stay in the room a minimal amount of time. That said, with a baby, a tub would be important. That means moving up to a Deluxe Balcony.

 

We sailed on the Oasis and while it is an amazing ship, we liked the Epic better. There will be tons of activities for everyone of all ages. After a week on the Epic, there were things we still didn't get to do because we ran out of time.

 

Yes, there is a nice area for the kids to play in splash area. I cannot tell you if this is for potty-trained kids or not.

 

I don't think you would have issues with the stroller and accessibility.

 

I am quite sensitive to smoke. This did bother me when I walked through certain areas of the pool deck and near the casino. We tried to avoid when possible.

[stephenandrew]

Hi everyone

 

First let me say thank you to all in advance for any advice/tips you have.

 

My family along with some friends (group of 12) are looking to book a cruise for Nov 2012, we have always been an RCI customer , prev sailed Oasis, Freedom, Liberty etc. We have no problem going back.. butttt

 

We were kind of looking at Epic, the brochure sold us =)

 

However this year is different as both myself and my brother have a baby. My daughter will be 1 by that time, and his daughter will be 11 months. plus were bringing our parents and some other clowns (family friends) =)

 

My major concerns are as follows and I was hoping if previous parents / passengers can give us some insight

 

1) Cabins

I have been in all cabins of all sizes, but for the Epic we were looking at just a standard inside. We spent 0 time in there but will the provided Pack N play (Norwegian) fit in there? Its ironic that Im asking this because Norwegian rep didn't seem sure at all.

 

2) Passageways

No promenade =( so my other concern is walking around with stroller. Granted, we will bring a no bells and whistles stroller, still will there be an issue getting around boat , in/around restaurants,pool/activities area etc ?

 

3) Smoke

Smoke doesn't bother me, but it bothers both of our wives quite a bit. We've seen reviews about this boat being quite smoky? Not good for the kids.. can anyone confirm or deny?

 

4) Kiddie Pool

Granted, neither of our babies will be doing Olympic laps.. still it would be nice to have a place for them to splash. I know RCI has an incredible area for the kids, Im not looking for that but any thoughts?

 

Bonus Question

 

This isn't about my baby, but more so we have family who are in there young 20's and parents who are in their 60's, I just want to make sure the Epic has stuff for them to do. Our parents loved the promenade and its a concern with Epic, because Im not sure if they have something similar or so? Im not worried about the 20's as Im sure they'l find something to entertain themselves.

 

Thank you again for your time and help, appreciate it much. By all means, be blunt and frank with me, since I was the lucky one to book this years cruises.. I can not mess this up. lol. Also, if the EPIC isn't good for infants, and you feel Oasis and Allure is a better fit, please let me know as well.

 

Have a great Holiday all and a Happy New Year !!!

 

Z. Thomas

 

My own thought is that cruising with kids this young on the Epic (or any other ship really) is less than ideal, but I think the Epic presents a few specific challenges. One--the standard cabins are on the small side. I ssupect you could get some sort of portable crib in the room, but I think you will find things rather cramped--perhaps more so than on other lines as some of the Epic's cabins are on the smaller side. Two--the passegeways on the decks with cabons are narrower than other lines--maneuvering with a buggy will be more difficult. the Epic is a big ship with a lot of people; we found the public areas (especailly deck 15 where the pools are and the Garden Cafe/Buffet) to be very crowded. I would not want to have a kid in a stroller there. Three--the Epic has limitted elevators (front and back)--this makes moving around without children difficult enough; hainvg to deal with a buggy will only complicate things. Four--I found the whole smoke issue on he Epic to be much ado about nothing. I am a non-smoker and while you can smell some smoke inthe public areas, I hardly found it to be overwhelming, and I think if you try, you can pretty much avoid it altogether. To me this is a non issue for you. Five--I can't speak to the pool situation, except you might check and see if it is ok to bring kids into the pool thay are still in diapers.

 

Good Luck whatever you decide.

[mjkacmom]

I could be wrong, but I thought only some select RCCL ships, plus DCL ships, had splash areas for diapered children.

[nikimouse]

many people say freestyle cruiseing is easy with kids because you can eat whenever you or the kids want and where ever and even as long as you want, if baby wants to leave the dining table you can simply come back later or go somewhere else for dessert ,

I would have thought the epic would be suitable. I say do it but I havent tried it yet. Im sure there are just as many things for 60 yr olds to do as there are on oasis, no ice skateing or flowrider but plenty of entertainment. Try something different!

There is a kids pool but im not sure if they need to be out of diapers, maybe pack a blow up paddling pool for the babies to splash on deck instead.

I hope you have a wonderful time on the epic, if you like big ships like oasis you will love it!

[nikimouse]

they wouldnt design a cabin that could not hold a pack and play crib would they? maybe theyd have to remove a bedside table or something :eek: Ive seen the cabins and although they look small they do look nicer than any cabin ive stayed in. Im sure you'll squeeze in somehow

[gooch47]

There was a post recently about a possible danger with sleeping with a small child in the parent's bed. I know you weren't planning that, but you might want to see if you could find the thread. Something to do with the curved walls leaving a gap that the child could get trapped in.

 

As for a tub, a small blow-up swimming pool (and I mean SMALL) might work inside the shower stall.

 

As for swimming, most cruise ships won't allow kids even with swimming diapers in ANY pool. I know I wouldn't want to put my kid in a pool that others probably have soiled.

[esther e]

And that includes the swim diapers.

[onthegreenz]

So I confirmed w. Norwegian Rep

 

Only potty trained in pools which is not an issue for us, its expected and we completely respect that. I wouldn't want my baby to be stepping/splashing in soiled water either =/ Maybe I'll bring a blow up pool and place on side if necessary...

 

Regarding Cabin, the Rep confirmed that the inside cabins are very smaller t but could not determined if there Pack N Play would fit. I have asked if she can reach out , last thing I want is to show up and find out it doesn't. I just can't believe that the company has like no clue. lol

 

The crowd at buffet/rest is actually quite concerning, were very respectful to others so I completely understand the whole stroller issue and such, hmm something to think about.

 

Wells thank you all again, I'll update once I get further info as well. Maybe this can help other parents.

 

=)

[onthegreenz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIOWYliKx0

 

I found this link that shows the inside stateroom, looking at the size.. I think I can make a educated guess that a Pack N Play should fit. Although, logistically it will require some Cirque Du Soleil acts getting through.. we should manage.

 

Would you agree?

[onthegreenz]

I could be wrong, but I thought only some select RCCL ships, plus DCL ships, had splash areas for diapered children.

 

That is correct RCI OASIS/ ALLURE and FREEDOM allows swim diapers.

 

Decisions.. decisions... =)

[jdvmd]

So I confirmed w. Norwegian Rep

 

Only potty trained in pools which is not an issue for us, its expected and we completely respect that. I wouldn't want my baby to be stepping/splashing in soiled water either =/ Maybe I'll bring a blow up pool and place on side if necessary...

 

Regarding Cabin, the Rep confirmed that the inside cabins are very smaller t but could not determined if there Pack N Play would fit. I have asked if she can reach out , last thing I want is to show up and find out it doesn't. I just can't believe that the company has like no clue. lol

 

The crowd at buffet/rest is actually quite concerning, were very respectful to others so I completely understand the whole stroller issue and such, hmm something to think about.

 

Wells thank you all again, I'll update once I get further info as well. Maybe this can help other parents.

 

=)

 

An umbrella stroller would be fine.

[nikimouse]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIOWYliKx0

 

I found this link that shows the inside stateroom, looking at the size.. I think I can make a educated guess that a Pack N Play should fit. Although, logistically it will require some Cirque Du Soleil acts getting through.. we should manage.

 

Would you agree?

 

I agree it will fit, and that room looks very nice :)

[dublell]

 

The crowd at buffet/rest is actually quite concerning, were very respectful to others so I completely understand the whole stroller issue and such, hmm something to think about.

 

I wouldn't worry about the stroller. Wheelchairs get around the ship quite readily, and I'd think you'd take no more space than that. You'll have a great cruise. NCL onboard staff will help ensure that.

[Jezo]

I'll be on the Jewel in 3 weeks with a 7 month old. It's a smaller ship so if anything you should have an easier time than we will. Send me a message at the end of January and I'll give you a full report on what it was like. We aren't too worried. We just plan on eating and sitting around. Bought an inflatable duck from Amazon for him to use since he can't go in the pools and an umbrella stroller to push him around in a little bit. I plan on carrying him around in the Baby Bjorn while on the ship so the stroller wont be getting in the way all the time.

[Sauer-kraut]

I'd like to repeat what a previous poster said about Freestyle Dining. You really can eat at the infant's schedule AND for yours. No need to worry about making a set dining time. No rushing back from excursions or getting refreshed after sitting on the pool deck all day.

 

Also, I don't think you need to worry about the Grandparents, there is so much going on with the EPIC that they'll be sure to find something to keep them occupied. Even with no promenade deck there are places to walk around and there are spots to see the sea from a deck or two. ;)

 

Have a great time, which ever ship you choose!

[LynneL]

We haven't cruised on Alure or Oasis so can't offer comparison but we recently returned from the Epic. We traveled with my son & family, which included my 20 month old granddaughter. We both had aft facing balcony cabins so while not talking the same room set up as the the youtube posted here the portacrib/pack-n-play issue is same. Originally they delivered a pack-n-play, which was much smaller than the standard sized one at home (I'd say a good 25-30% smaller). It fit between the bed and the sofa. Looking at that inside cabin video they'd put it between the beds or between the wall and bed if 2 beds pushed together. While it could work for an 11-12 mo. old, though it wouldn't be roomy, it was not at all big enough for a 20 month old. My son contacted the front desk and they delivered a port-a-crib. This was a standard sized port-a-crib but required the sofa seating area (back of sofa remained connected to wall) to be removed. The crib was put in that area. When looking at that inside cabin, not sure where they would place it.

 

I didn't find the smoke an issue with the baby or for myself & I'm a non-smoker. The casino was smokey but mainly at night was when I really noticed it. I was only passing through there so it was not a major issue.

 

I bought an inexpensive umbreall stroller just prior to this trip. Worked out great, except for one night the baby fell asleep in it & her head was drooping down. She looked uncomfortable & it probably bothered me more than her. A regular stroller would have provided the ability to recline but I think a full sized stroller would have taken up too much room in an already small sized cabin. Instead I took her back to their cabin & got her ready for bed. No biggie.

 

I am the person someone referred to about writing about the scare of having my granddaugher in the bed & her getting her head caught between the mattress & the headboard. Remove all pillows on the bed & check if there is a gap. Not sure if all beds have this situation of a straight edged mattress at top not quite meeting with a curved headboard or if the cabin steward didn't push the beds up far enough when making them into a queen sized bed. It was a situation that could have had a terrible outcome but thankfully only left me with more gray hairs to color.

 

I think the Epic provided entertainment for all ages. The adults in our group were 27, 29, & four 56 yr. olds. We all loved the ship. The Blue Man Group & White Hot Party will appeal to the 20somethings, water slides, also bowling ($5. pp including shoes). The people in their 60s will probably enjoy the nightly shows, Blues & Jazz club, Manhattan dining room has entertainment (we saw 2 Motown shows) at 9:30 during dinner or they can go back for cake/coffee. Heck, I loved that Epic Plunge waterslide so they may too. For the little ones there was an "Under Two Zoo" each day from noon-three. In the rear of the Bliss Lounge playmats are put down with an assortment of baby toys. You can bring your child to play, but must supervise them. No staff available.

 

Traveling with a baby really went much smoother than I anticipated, though I did a lot of advance planning. Hope the older folks you are traveling with are willing to give you a date night out.