Epic Photo Review – Specialty Dining - Menus - Freestyle Dailies - Deck Tours

[NCLfamily]

This was a show in the Epic Theatre with three tribute acts, dancers and a live band. It is billed as lasting 90 minutes. All artists were of a high standard. I am not overly familiar with Shakira’s material but she was a good performer; but I do ask is Shakira really a legend?

 

 

Second up was Diana Ross and, for part of the act, she was supported by two other singers whilst performing some Supremes songs. This was my favourite act of the three. During her set, a technical problem brought the show to a halt. Part of the hydraulic stage got stuck in the submerged position, causing a gaping hole. The stage crew came on for a few minutes to physically un-jam it; not quite so serious as an incident during the production show on the Norwegian Wind sailing out of Sydney in January 2002. On that memorable occasion, the stage went on fire, the show was cancelled and the theatre was evacuated. As flames took hold and smoke billowed into the auditorium, fire-fighters were summoned over the PA system, just like in the crew emergency drill, but for real...

 

 

Then came Prince and, whether you are a fan or not, you could not help but be impressed by the talent of this artist. He had a phenomenal vocal range that allowed him to replicate Prince’s falsetto; but most importantly, the choreography was stunning, and in particular his robotic and acrobatic moves...

 

 

Each act performed for 15 minutes; then they all performed together for another 15 minutes, so really the show was only an hour; not entirely a bad thing, but misleading when trying to plan your evening. Comparing the sound of the backing band to the Blue Man Group performance the previous night, it fell rather short. The sound balance just was not as good as it should be. Having said that, it was a great show and I realised that NCL had more than risen to the challenge laid down by Oasis of the Seas, in terms of top-rate cruise entertainment.

 

60 million records sold says she's pretty good

 

You didn't happen to have a wet shave in the barbers did you? Was wondering the cost?

Edited July 3, 2014 by NCLfamily

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

 

I knew nothing about the Fabba night prior to the cruise. When I glanced at the Freestyle Daily, I thought at first it was an Abba tribute act, which I am pretty sure I would have thoroughly enjoyed. Instead it was a Deck Party hosted by the Cruise Director, Lorena, and her staff. Perhaps it wasn’t as hot on deck that night as it might have been; perhaps too many people were enjoying other entertainment; but it just wasn't busy enough to create a proper party atmosphere. Sure, some folk were dancing and enjoying the music, but with more people there, it could have been a much more exciting event...

 

 

 

Lorena, the Cruise Director, centre stage...

 

 

Lorena again... but the crowd was rather sparse...

 

 

[MiniJeffrey]

I see you visited the Fat Cats Jazz Club and saw the Beatles-show. Just a quick question: were there any jazz-performances? I'm dying to visit the Jazz-club on board, but NOT to see the beatles... That's like visiting the Champagne-area in France and asking for a glass of water.

 

So I really hope there will be some Jazz concerts/shows in the Fat Cats as I don't want to see rock/pop there.

[KeithJenner]

I see you visited the Fat Cats Jazz Club and saw the Beatles-show. Just a quick question: were there any jazz-performances? I'm dying to visit the Jazz-club on board, but NOT to see the beatles... That's like visiting the Champagne-area in France and asking for a glass of water.

 

 

 

So I really hope there will be some Jazz concerts/shows in the Fat Cats as I don't want to see rock/pop there.

 

 

Fat Cats has been something of a general music venue for some time now. I wouldn't focus too much on the reference to Jazz in the title.

 

In our last two Epic Med cruises, last year and this, this is a list of what's been on in Fat Cats according to the Dailies:

 

Dominican Flavour

Music with Summer Breeze

Beatles Celebration

Music with the Manhattan Band

80s pop with the Manhattan Band

 

They also had a "Motown Name That Tune", but I assume that was a quiz, rather than a band playing.

 

I have to say that I don't understand all these labels that people use for music, but none of them sound to me like what people would call Jazz or Blues.

[MiniJeffrey]

Great, false advertising... NCL, don't call this thing the 'Fat Cats Jazz and Blues-club' if there is all but jazz and blues to be heard there. :mad::mad:

 

This better be fixed in October, or this will be my first (and let's hope the last) complaint.

[KeithJenner]

Great, false advertising... NCL, don't call this thing the 'Fat Cats Jazz and Blues-club' if there is all but jazz and blues to be heard there. :mad::mad:

 

This better be fixed in October, or this will be my first (and let's hope the last) complaint.

 

I'd suggest that the chances of them fixing it before October are only slightly more than zero. If they do change anything then I'd imagine that changing the name (which I think they should do) is far more likely than changing the entertainment.

 

That's based on the assumption you are talking about a Med cruise. I have no idea what they have onboard out of Miami, but it doesn't get there until November does it?

[WouterC]

Great, false advertising... NCL, don't call this thing the 'Fat Cats Jazz and Blues-club' if there is all but jazz and blues to be heard there. :mad::mad:

 

This better be fixed in October, or this will be my first (and let's hope the last) complaint.

 

I think it's because the entertainment is different in the Carribean and the Mediterranean. From what I've read on the web, I believe that in the Caribbean they actually do have jazz/blues artists performing in Fat Cats.

Edited July 4, 2014 by WouterC

[MiniJeffrey]

I'm doing the transatlantic... :)

 

Beatles in a jazz-club, the horror...

Edited July 4, 2014 by MiniJeffrey

[WouterC]

I'm doing the transatlantic... :)

 

Beatles in a jazz-club, the horror...

 

Maybe they can rename the venue to Sergant Peppers's Lonely Jazz Club Band ... :rolleyes:

Edited July 4, 2014 by WouterC

[Froufie]

I'm doing the transatlantic... :)

 

Beatles in a jazz-club, the horror...

 

Noticed you are sailing the Epic TA in October - very active roll call if you wish to join us (we are on page 127 already :D:D)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1761958&page=127

[fairygirl1]

Following! Thx for the pics!

[happy cruzin]

I think it's because the entertainment is different in the Carribean and the Mediterranean. From what I've read on the web, I believe that in the Caribbean they actually do have jazz/blues artists performing in Fat Cats.

They certainly did when we sailed the Epic and the Breakaway!!

Slam Alan was on the Epic in February of 2012. :D He then moved to the Breakaway when it launched - but was off on vacation when we sailed the Breakaway in September 2013. :(

[KeithJenner]

I believe Slam has now left the Breakaway as well.

 

Slam was also on the Epic when it was in the Med. He was never just there for US sailings.

[WouterC]

I believe Slam has now left the Breakaway as well.

 

Slam was also on the Epic when it was in the Med. He was never just there for US sailings.

Ah, okay. I figured they changed the entertainment when crossing the Atlantic, guess I figured wrong.

[megacruiser]

I'll be making dinner and show reservations soon. We bought the UDP, so we'll be eating all our meals in specialty restaurants. Can you estimate how long it took to eat in Cagneys, Tepanyaki, and LeBistro. We like to eat before the show, and in many instances that may be difficult.

Any advice on this?

 

Hello again,

 

For me dining alone, an hour and a quarter was enough. If really busy and with a larger party, I would allow an extra half hour. You can of course let the wait staff know that you have limited time, and I am sure they would speed things up.

 

Regards

megacruiser

[megacruiser]

Before Day 4, I will first post the tour of Deck 6. The thing I most disliked about the Epic was the placement of the Casino in the middle of this deck. Together with the adjacent O’Sheehan’s Pub, the heart of the ship was rather raucous. The noise is not confined to that area because Deck 6 is open to Deck 5, with O’Sheehan’s overlooking the seating in front of the video wall beside the Atrium Cafe. Similarly, the Casino is connected by an open well to the Taste dining room; surely a pointless design feature that impacts any possible dining atmosphere.

 

Another design compromise is relying on forward and aft elevators only. On this ship the effect is magnified because they are located relatively far forward and far aft, meaning long walks. Another design weakness is that the aft elevators only go as low as deck 6. So if your cabin is in the rear half of the ship, and you want to dine in Taste, you have to alight on Deck 6 and walk half the ship’s length to use the escalator down to the restaurant.

 

 

 

Here is the plan of Deck 6. Sorry it is not very clear due to spotlights illuminating it...

 

 

 

Starting aft at the Manhattan Room, one of the main dining rooms... This could have been a design triumph if better use could have been made of the double height space. It needs more grandeur and opulence to achieve its potential; still it is a nice room...

 

 

Dress Guidelines posted outside...

 

 

 

Entrance...

 

 

 

Note the ceiling above the salad bar between Cagney’s and Moderno at top of photo...

 

 

 

Looking down form Cagney’s across dance floor and huge rear window...

[megacruiser]

Next is Cascades Bar, seen here from above...

 

 

Then Fat Cats “Jazz and Blues Club”, misnomer really...

 

 

 

Empty by day...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not only for the Beatles Celebration bit other non-blues-or-jazz acts too...

 

 

 

Shanghai’s restaurant on opposite side...

[megacruiser]

Casino...

 

 

 

Goes on and on...

 

 

 

Escalator down to Taste...

 

 

 

Back up on the other side...

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

 

 

Looking down from the Casino into Taste MDR...

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

Noise takes your mind off the food...

 

 

 

Looking across to bowling alley, the second on this ship...

 

 

 

Bowling Alley - noise guaranteed when in use...

Edited July 5, 2014 by megacruiser
omission

[megacruiser]

Social hub...

 

 

 

Doubly noisy - pool table plus one of those clacking games with pucks skiting on air...

 

 

 

Video games corner; so could get noisy...

 

 

 

Looking down to the Video Wall beside the Atrium Cafe...

[megacruiser]

On approach...

 

 

 

Empty

 

 

 

Duelling Pianos most nights...

 

 

 

[megacruiser]

Entrance to Spiegel Tent for Cirque Dreams is opposite Headliners...

 

 

 

The Entertainment Kiosk, for advance bookings, is outside the theatre...

 

 

 

Finally, all the way forward is the Epic Theatre...

 

 

 

Not as large as you might expect for the size of ship...

[UK Cruiser2]

Great review.Earlier you mentioned the POSH are with the padded sunbeds.

How do I purchase passes for POSH and how much are they ?

[obobber]

Thanks for your effort in putting this together. I sail December 7 and now I have some excellent planning assistance.