Norwegian Epic vs Holland America Eurodam

[towel-animal]

Hey everyone. First time cruiser here!

 

First of all, forgive me is the wrong place to post this. But....

 

Here's the situation:

 

I'm a 23 year old graduate student who has decided for Christmas to ask my parents to book me on a cruise for my spring break (March 9th-17th). Figured I'd be going by myself.

 

After doing research, I originally planned on doing the NCL 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Epic, in a studio room. Seemed like awesome accommodations for 1 person, and the ship seems pretty incredible in terms of entertainment, nightlife, and restaurants.

 

A couple day after telling my parents about it, my mom out of the blue starts talking about maybe wanting to go with me. She's in her 60s, and like me has never cruised before. After looking it up, she thought the Epic was way too big a ship for her (she fears being in a "cattle herd" when getting off and back on at ports and absolutely nothing will change her mind).

 

So after doing more research, I got her really on board with the Holland America's 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Eurodam. Half the size of the Epic, seems a bit more upscale, and we'd be able to get a verandah stateroom.

 

Bottom line, she doesn't want me to sacrifice my Norwegian trip if it's really what I really want to do, and said her feelings wouldn't be hurt if I wanted to do that one instead by myself. (I think deep down though, she would be a bit hurt).

 

SOOOOO, I'm wondering...with me being a 23 year old first time cruise, which would you all choose? Epic going solo, or Eurodam with mom? Would I still have a good time on HAL, considering it's a much older crowd and no nightlife?

 

Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Keith1010]

This is a very tough one to answer.

 

On the positive side you have not cruised and it would be a great opportunity for your Mom and you to cruise together.

 

I think you probably would like the Epic more than HAL as your observation about an older crowd is correct. And the night life will be on the quieter side.

 

So I think in the end it comes down to cruise by yourself and likely enjoy the cruise more or cruise with you Mom.

 

Another option might be to look at another cruise line. Take a look at RCI. Maybe that could work for both of you. Even take a look at Princess.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

If your mother really wants to go on a cruise with you -- great. If you went byself on the Epic, I think you will hurt your mother's feelings. And it sounds like you both are close.

Eurodam does have the Northern Lights Disco that opens at 9 PM and goes to the wee hours.

There is also the Piano Bar which opens at 9 -- lots of people like that -- sing along with the Piano Man -- both your mother and you might like that.

There are shows and movies.

The Signature class ships are designed to attrack younger people.

[KirkNC]

Hey everyone. First time cruiser here!

 

First of all, forgive me is the wrong place to post this. But....

 

Here's the situation:

 

I'm a 23 year old graduate student who has decided for Christmas to ask my parents to book me on a cruise for my spring break (March 9th-17th). Figured I'd be going by myself.

 

After doing research, I originally planned on doing the NCL 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Epic, in a studio room. Seemed like awesome accommodations for 1 person, and the ship seems pretty incredible in terms of entertainment, nightlife, and restaurants.

 

A couple day after telling my parents about it, my mom out of the blue starts talking about maybe wanting to go with me. She's in her 60s, and like me has never cruised before. After looking it up, she thought the Epic was way too big a ship for her (she fears being in a "cattle herd" when getting off and back on at ports and absolutely nothing will change her mind).

 

So after doing more research, I got her really on board with the Holland America's 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Eurodam. Half the size of the Epic, seems a bit more upscale, and we'd be able to get a verandah stateroom.

 

Bottom line, she doesn't want me to sacrifice my Norwegian trip if it's really what I really want to do, and said her feelings wouldn't be hurt if I wanted to do that one instead by myself. (I think deep down though, she would be a bit hurt).

 

SOOOOO, I'm wondering...with me being a 23 year old first time cruise, which would you all choose? Epic going solo, or Eurodam with mom? Would I still have a good time on HAL, considering it's a much older crowd and no nightlife?

 

Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to CC!

[SMerritt]

Hi!

 

We have sailed on the Epic two times now, and on the Oasis (another "big ship") - the same amount of space for everyone like a smaller ship.

 

NCL has embarking and disembarking down to a science, easy on and off

 

Once on the Epic, there are no lines or "cattle calls", everyone is evenly spread out with so many different things for everyone to do, also two MDR's

 

The variety of activities on the Epic would be good for both of you, from daily events to evening entertainment - they cater to all age groups big time

 

Possibly get two "singles cabins"? You can use the nice lounge area to meet other solo cruisers

 

Also, look on the schedules here on the boards and ship schedule for the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet on your ship, you and mom will meet other happy, helpful cruisers.

 

The BIG SHIP is amazing and has something for every age group, with space for everyone.

 

PS - tell mom we are 65 y/o (going on 66)...... ;o)

[GeorgiaGirl14]

My husband and I cruised on The Epic last year and we are in our mid fifties. We loved it!!! The entertainment was fabulous. The key to not standing in crazy lines is to book your entertainment and excursions ahead of time. We had our schedule planned out and for the most part things went smoothly for us and the size of the ship did not impact us negatively. We would like to go back on the Epic!

[GeorgiaGirl14]

I think SMerritt's idea about two single cabins on Epic is an excellent one. You are both "together" and apart. You and your mom will get to share a wonderful experience, but there will be opportunities to also do some things on your own.

Hope it works out for both of you. Tell your mom this mid fiftyish conservative woman would go back on the Epic in a heartbeat!!!

[SMerritt]

I just noticed the below......possibly others can help

 

"(she fears being in a "cattle herd" when getting off and back on at ports and absolutely nothing will change her mind)."

 

Getting on and off of the Epic at ports is no different than any other ship we have been on - (they just open more doors)

 

Do not try to be the first off, there are always lines on any ship early in the morning, but they move fast, the Epic has more than one entrance/exit available also

 

Arrivals, the same, plus - what is the hurry? Standing in a line can be a fun way to meet other cruisers. Personally, I have never noticed a difference in lines between The "Big Ships" and not so Big.

 

We stay in NCL Haven Suites - one of the perks is a private escort to the front of lines by our Concierge, we have never used this service, not even on disembarkation day, and I am married to a Type A personality :D

[zephyrgirl]

I had a somewhat similar thing happen where my mom ended up coming along with me on my Epic cruise in the Med. I had originally planned to go (and pay) by myself. But when I was talking about my plans with my mom it sorta seemed like she'd want to go, so I invited her and we each paid our own way. She trusts my judgement on things like picking ships though, so we didn't really have any discussion about another ship. We had a wonderful trip and the ship was overall good, etc. But really the best part was doing it with her.

 

So if I were in your shoes, I would go with your mom on the ship she wants. I think if you went without her, you'd feel kinda bad and not truly enjoy it. The way I look at it is, I'm young, I'll have (hopefully) lots of time to take vacations. But I won't have nearly as much time to take them with my mom.

[SMerritt]

I had a somewhat similar thing happen where my mom ended up coming along with me on my Epic cruise in the Med. I had originally planned to go (and pay) by myself. But when I was talking about my plans with my mom it sorta seemed like she'd want to go, so I invited her and we each paid our own way. She trusts my judgement on things like picking ships though, so we didn't really have any discussion about another ship. We had a wonderful trip and the ship was overall good, etc. But really the best part was doing it with her.

 

So if I were in your shoes, I would go with your mom on the ship she wants. I think if you went without her, you'd feel kinda bad and not truly enjoy it. The way I look at it is, I'm young, I'll have (hopefully) lots of time to take vacations. But I won't have nearly as much time to take them with my mom.

 

You are an amazing daughter! I have read this a few times :)

 

We were on a ship, our neighbor on the veranda was obviously quite excited about the suite and cruising, the lady was obviously sitting on their veranda and "Johnny" was inside. She was non-stop with the craziest questions, johnny why is the water blue, how big is the propeller, on and on, to the point I was afraid Johnny might toss her overboard.

 

The second morning, the "30 questions" began again, with muffled replies from Johnny, then we heard "Oh Johnny, your dad would have loved cruising"..... we always think of Johnny's mom going home with great memories and stories to tell. GB Johnny