Make me fall in love with Epic again! Please?

[dreamr]

So...friend and I are booked on the Epic, leaving Miami on November 10th. However, an opportunity to switch to another ship has come up. I am very, very tempted by the other ship to the point of asking my friend if she would want to cancel our Epic reservation and switch to the other ship.

 

Friend is hesitant to do so, however, and thinks we should stay with the Epic.

 

Maybe it's just because Final Payment is in one week (and the fact that I've been planning this cruise on the Epic for monnnnths and the other ship is all shiny and new to my mind), but I am going through a serious case of "OMG, what if I regret my decision to stay/change!?"

 

In case we stick with the Epic, could anyone who has been on the Epic before tell me a few things to get me excited about the Epic again? Pleeeease?

 

We are two early-30-somethings and I can be a bit excitable at times. I love having stuff to do, things to see, etc. I am not a drinker or smoker, so bars don't really hold much interest for me.

 

Anyway... help?

[sdmike]

Have you been on the Epic before? If not, why are you considering changing? The Epic is truly one of a kind, and simply amazing in many ways. The entertainment, crew and eating options are second to none. People have to go on her 3-4 times just so they can get to all the things she offers. Many here consider her their favorite ship...of any line. I'm not just talking NCL cheerleaders, but folks that have cruised extensively.

 

There are several review in my signature that you should read if you haven't already. Don's "first time on NCL" missive is outstanding. There are also professional reviews of the Epic that can really give you a feel for what this ship has to offer. Aaron's "From The Deck Chair" blog about his trip on the Epic is a must read as well. Make sure you read about all his experience (the "next page" button isn't easy to find). Read away, and raise any questions you have. Many here will be glad to help.

 

Also, calm down. The grass isn't always greener. There's no need to chase any new shiny idea that comes along. :)

[KJE Atlanta]

So...friend and I are booked on the Epic, leaving Miami on November 10th. However, an opportunity to switch to another ship has come up. I am very, very tempted by the other ship to the point of asking my friend if she would want to cancel our Epic reservation and switch to the other ship.

 

Friend is hesitant to do so, however, and thinks we should stay with the Epic.

 

Maybe it's just because Final Payment is in one week (and the fact that I've been planning this cruise on the Epic for monnnnths and the other ship is all shiny and new to my mind), but I am going through a serious case of "OMG, what if I regret my decision to stay/change!?"

 

In case we stick with the Epic, could anyone who has been on the Epic before tell me a few things to get me excited about the Epic again? Pleeeease?

 

We are two early-30-somethings and I can be a bit excitable at times. I love having stuff to do, things to see, etc. I am not a drinker or smoker, so bars don't really hold much interest for me.

 

Anyway... help?

 

We LOVED the Epic the first time we sailed on her. So much so that we're on her again in less than 2 weeks, then 9 weeks after that for Thanksgiving, then again for Thanksgiving next year.

 

Most Important: Freestyle.... do what you want, when you want, with whom you want.

 

Food: 20 or so different dining options, many included in your fare; great specialty restaurants for nominal upcharge (worth it for a few nights IMO for more upscale food, more attentive service, better ambiance),

 

Entertainment: Blue Man Group, Legends, Cirque, Second City, Jazz, Howl at the Moon, plus lots of impromptu singers/musicians in other venues.

 

Bars/Parties: All over the place, catering to a variety of different demographics. And you don't have to be a drinker to enjoy.

 

Outdoors: Granted, you'll read about the supposed "lack of connection to the sea." Are you in a balcony? If so, this won't be an issue at all. If not, it just means you'll need to find your favorite places on deck to look out at the ocean. Ours was Spice H20 - adults only area on the back of the ship with a small pool, a small restaurant, huge TV, lots of space to get some sun and wasn't too crowded most of the time. There are other outdoor activities too - climbing walls, pools, etc.

 

As for not shiny and new, it's the newest in NCL's fleet (until the Breakaway debuts next Spring). Epic entered service in mid-2010 so it's only 2 years old. Granted, we haven't been on since December 2010, but my guess is that it's still pretty new-ish feeling (I'll let you know when we get back in a few weeks for sure).

 

Anyway, only you can make up your own mind, but my recommendation is to go for it and have a great time!

[Medtech2]

So...friend and I are booked on the Epic, leaving Miami on November 10th. However, an opportunity to switch to another ship has come up. I am very, very tempted by the other ship to the point of asking my friend if she would want to cancel our Epic reservation and switch to the other ship.

 

Friend is hesitant to do so, however, and thinks we should stay with the Epic.

 

Maybe it's just because Final Payment is in one week (and the fact that I've been planning this cruise on the Epic for monnnnths and the other ship is all shiny and new to my mind), but I am going through a serious case of "OMG, what if I regret my decision to stay/change!?"

 

In case we stick with the Epic, could anyone who has been on the Epic before tell me a few things to get me excited about the Epic again? Pleeeease?

 

We are two early-30-somethings and I can be a bit excitable at times. I love having stuff to do, things to see, etc. I am not a drinker or smoker, so bars don't really hold much interest for me.

 

Anyway... help?

I don't smoke or drink, either...and I have ADD. That being said, even after 14 days on the Epic I still felt like I had not done or seen everything. I had a BLAST!

 

It is still shiny and new, y'know. The entertainment is awesome. Even though it does not have a traditional promenade I enjoyed my daily walkabouts, always finding new places.

 

The dance parties were fun. Go for it!

[AttilaTheFun]

What is the other ship? What do you value most on a cruise - food, entertainment, cabin size, etc? Maybe the other ship is a better option - why not weigh the pros/cons instead of trying to blindly convince yourself that Epic is the best? I enjoyed Epic, but it's not my favorite. However, for a reunion with friends, I chose Epic as the prices and the offering onboard will most appeal to us.

[mitsugirly]

The Epic remains our favorite ship yet and will always have a special place in our heart. We booked her for the second time around, but was hoping all of my grown children and grandchildren would come along for a Christmas cruise. Well, after we booked, they backed out. So, we ended up changing our cruise to a different ship just because when we do go again, we really want them to go with us and experience it. It's like no other. (Then we are trying sail all of the others in the fleet, so changing was hard, but we managed :D).

 

Epic truly is amazing. The entertainment is out of this world. The food is amazing. The casino is amazing :D. The water slides are amazing. All the unique things there are to do on this ship is top notch. The ONLY complaint I would personally have is I missed that open grand atrium that I always seem to look for in ships. They are my favorite...starring up 6 or 7 stories high with the glass elevators...ahhhh. That's what was missing on the Epic. :(

 

At least go and try her out. You shouldn't be disappointed and if you are, then it gives you your next excuse to book one of the older, smaller, regular ships. :)

[dreamr]

Just to clear up a little thing: I didn't mean that the Epic wasn't physically shiny or new. Just that I've been thinking and planning and reading about and looking at pictures of the Epic for going on seven long months now. Then BAM! Last night, I found a cruise ship with a few things that I absolutely love... and since I haven't been looking at, thinking, planning, and reading about that ship for the past seven months, it is "shiny and new" to my brain. Not physically... just in the sense that it's a new ship to "explore" online. :P

 

The other ship is the Oasis of the Seas... which has Hairspray (I love Hairspray!)... and an ice rink! lol

 

I'm going to try to just... put the Oasis out of my mind. For now. I might have to plan to cruise on that one next year. :P

 

Thanks for all of the words of wisdom! :)

[sdmike]

Oasis is a great ship too. Sail on her NEXT time :)

[Medtech2]

Just to clear up a little thing: I didn't mean that the Epic wasn't physically shiny or new. Just that I've been thinking and planning and reading about and looking at pictures of the Epic for going on seven long months now. Then BAM! Last night, I found a cruise ship with a few things that I absolutely love... and since I haven't been looking at, thinking, planning, and reading about that ship for the past seven months, it is "shiny and new" to my brain. Not physically... just in the sense that it's a new ship to "explore" online. :P

 

The other ship is the Oasis of the Seas... which has Hairspray (I love Hairspray!)... and an ice rink! lol

 

I'm going to try to just... put the Oasis out of my mind. For now. I might have to plan to cruise on that one next year. :P

 

Thanks for all of the words of wisdom! :)

Oooo! Two cruises to plan and dream about! Twice the fun!

[cruis247g]

Oasis is a great ship too. Sail on her NEXT time :)

 

I love the way you think! It's not one or the other, it's now and just a bit later:D! That would be my choice, since I love to cruise and am happy on just about every ship.

 

However, as someone said above, how about weighing what is important to you about each ship?

 

The nice thing is that you really can't go wrong -- you can have a fabulous time on either ship!! There is no "bad" choice.

[Cubechick]

List the pros and cons of each and go with the ship that appeals more. Not difficult.

[xenagurl]

2 words. Water slides. :)

[graphicguy]

Having just sailed the Allure (sister to the Oasis), and having sailed Epic last year, I'd choose the Epic, without question. Entertainment is better. Food is better (particularly in the "free" dining venues). I didn't feel nearly as crowded on the Epic as I did on the Allure (where I was always shoulder to shoulder, waiting and waiting on something).

 

Freestyle is heads and shoulders better than RCL's "My Time Dining", too.

 

I will give props to two things on the Allure (Oasis). Giovannis is a wonderful pay restaurant. And, the Park Cafe (free) is a great place for both breakfast and lunch.

 

Keep your current reservations and sail Oasis some other time. You won't be disappointed.

[cruzincurt]

Does anyone have a listing of all the EPIC restaurants, their serving times and whether they are complementary or $ extra? For the Allure and Oasis, we were able to download a .pdf of that information.

[mitsugirly]

Does anyone have a listing of all the EPIC restaurants, their serving times and whether they are complementary or $ extra? For the Allure and Oasis, we were able to download a .pdf of that information.

 

http://www2.ncl.com/sites/default/files/DiningGuide_05212012.pdf

 

Second page has all the listings.

[kerrytens]

OP, I totally get the Epic vs Oasis dilemma. I sailed on the Epic last December and came home with severe cruise withdrawals so I had to books something. I had pretty much made the decision to book Allure but then I checked Epic one last time ... because we loved it so much.

 

Well, for me it was the over $1000 I was going to save that made my decision easy:D We've booked a ship that we truly enjoyed again. There were so many things that we missed the first time that truthfully it was a no brainer ... even with the savings.

 

I'll definitely book Allure (or Oasis) in the future but for now I have no regrets. I can't wait to board the Epic again!!!!

 

Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!!

[cruzincurt]

http://www2.ncl.com/sites/default/files/DiningGuide_05212012.pdf

 

Second page has all the listings.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. Is there a listing of the operating times on the EPIC? Which ones are breakfast, lunch, dinner? I assume on on board newsletter would list them.

[SliceOfLife]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. Is there a listing of the operating times on the EPIC? Which ones are breakfast, lunch, dinner? I assume on on board newsletter would list them.

 

The Freestyle Dailies have hours listed for each place. I have a link in my signature from January, I don't think any of that info has changed.

[cruzincurt]

The Freestyle Dailies have hours listed for each place. I have a link in my signature from January, I don't think any of that info has changed.

Thanks, I'll enjoy reading them to prepare for our first EPIC cruise.