Wanted - top ten tips for the ncl epic

[kjquilts]

This might be a silly question, but...

Are you allowed to just wander out of there, or will you get told off for going out there if you get caught? Only it looks like it is reserved just for an emergency exit!

 

 

Can't imagine getting in trouble. Our room steward saw me going in and did't say anything other than his usual greeting. If it were marked Crew Only it would be a different situation. It is a big stairwell with a view but not somewhere you would want to spend hours.

[smrtypnts]

Love the secret stairs tip as we'll be in an aft cabin.

[Honeybearhollow]

Having been on 2 Epic TA BCN/Miami cruises, here are the tips from me:

 

• get Posh Pass - it's a warm crossing and the sun decks get busy on warm sunny days and chair hogs are out
  
• don't bother booking restaurants beforehand except for the Cirque dinner show (which will be on for a few days only, not everyday, so book it early)
  
• you can walk in and get seated in specialty restaurants easily
  
• the Garden Café is great for dinners! Go there when you can't be bothered to get ready to go out to dinner
  
• they make and serve crepes in Garden Café at dinner times. Our fave is having one sprinkled with sugar and lemon juice
  
• on some days Teppanyaki is open for lunch at 1/2 price - check the dailies
  
• you will pass Gibraltar on 2nd day at approx. 7pm on 2nd day - when you have passed it go down to La Cucina for a sunset dinner!
  
• they will open the forward Haven sundeck (deck 18) to allow people to view Gibraltar and the Strait. I took a picture of the Strait - Europe one side and Africa other side
  
• MDRs - Manhattan & Taste - if they get busy when you decide to go, then go later or at different time another day
  
• make sure to book the shows early because each show are on for a number of nights only
  
• happy hour 2 for 1 at Maltings every evening 4-6pm - great place to socialize
  
• 2/3 of pax are non-US/Canada - so if you are one of these, don't book the morning tour in St. Thomas (we were on deck 8 and were the last to go thru Immigration - we weren't allowed to get off until 11:30am - we are Brits). St. Thomas is the first entry into USA so everybody has to go thru Immigration. In Miami it's Customs only - very quick
  
• Immigration start for pax on higher decks
  
• there are plenty of things to do and go to - the dailies are single spaced on sea days and double spaced on port days!
  
• sign up at Guest Services for dinner with Officer as soon as you board
  
• if you get selected to have dinner with officer - do NOT complain/bitch about the ship (e.g. bathroom layout, small room, no walk around promenade, small pools, etc) - they have heard enough and do not want to hear anymore (our first TA, 2 couples did that and we (3rd couple) were so dismayed. When they got up to leave, the officer touched my husband's arm, gesturing us to stay ... he asked for our cabin # as he wanted to send invite to visit bridge. The 2nd TA we asked to dine with him again and we all had a great time)
  
• Halloween is great! If you want to, bring costume! The ship is decorated for the day and the casino staff win first prize for dressing up! Big party in Spice H2O
  
• if you want to go somewhere quiet to read - go to forward of Garden Café outside meal hours
  
• ENJOY!!!
  

We're not doing this year but think we'll do it next year.

 

 

What is a posh pass?

[bluesea777]

What is a posh pass?

 

It's a pass to use the Posh Club on Deck 18 - accessible by the port side glass elevator from the Great Outdoors area using your keycard that has Posh Club access programmed.

 

There are cushioned beds, chaise loungers and chairs, and umbrellas and a bar. Plenty of sea views and you can see the pool deck from up there.

 

We loved our time there - I read 5 books on Kindle (warning: iPads, Kindle Fire, etc, will not do because of sunlight. We used old Kindles) during the TA cruise.

 

You can get lunch - free - from Haven - off the lunch menu they have for the Posh Club.

 

Plenty of towels at hand - no need to take your towels from cabin.

 

There is a cost - can't remember how much, but the price outweighs the crowded pool deck on sunny days (we had MANY great sunny days on last year's TA).