Celebrity Equinox vs Norwegian Epic - Mediterranean

[yonich]

Short version: Which ship should I choose for a Mediterranean cruise in July 2016 – Celebrity Equinox or the Norwegian Epic? Cross posting to both boards to get varied opinions.

 

Long version: A bit about us – my husband and I (mid-30s) are leaving our kids behind for a weeklong vacation/10th anniversary celebration excuse. We like nice food and hate surcharges. We’ve cruised Carnival and Princess a few times through the Caribbean, and while we don’t take part in too much nightlife, we enjoy seeing a couple shows if we’re not exhausted from the day. We have never eaten at the specialty restaurants because I just don’t feel like paying another $15 pp – but I wouldn’t blink an eye if the cruise has been another $15 pp up front and included a free specialty meal, I guess it’s just my perceived idea of a good value. That being said, I like to dress up a bit and have a great meal service, never doing the buffet for dinner. We will, however, both pay for wifi, preferably unlimited, as we feel very anxious without it for both personal and business reasons.

I’m looking at these two ships for our first Mediterranean cruise, each a 7 night itinerary. Having not sailed on either line, we obviously have no perks or credits, and will be looking at a mid-range balcony (no concierge class, or suite, etc.) I doubt I will use the spa. As for the ports, I really can’t decide, I want to go to them all, and will find something exciting in each, there are no “must-do” cities, really. The rates are quite similar, and each include some promotion right now (free beverages, dining, wifi, etc).

I just can’t decide which one we will be happier on – my reservations for each are that Celebrity will have great dining but will be a much older crowd and that the great reviews are coming from cruisers paying twice as much for their cabin as I will… and that NCL will have better entertainment but won’t meet our dining expectations without paying extra constantly and having to figure out the freestyle system.

 

That said and done, today I’m leaning towards the Celebrity Equinox with their new promotion of either the Go Better or Best, just to pay for everything up front, and sit back and enjoy. Thanks so much for reading and for your opinions.

[SwissLe]

I think we'd need to know a little more about costings to provide a real comparison. NCL are much cheaper in my experience up front.

 

You can have everything up front with NCL too, if you buy UBP or UDP - one is included as a special offer on the categories of cabins you are looking into at the moment. Ultimate Beverage gives most drinks included up to $11 excluding bottled water and speciality coffees and Ultimate Dining Package means you can eat in any of the restaurants each night, even the paid for options.

 

NCL now offer unlimited WIFI for $24 per device, per day on 1-12 night sailings and $19.99 on anything more and Celebrity offer unlimited WIFI for flat rates of $299 on 6-9 day sailings or $349 10-14 Day sailings. Your experience of this service will be slow at best for both companies with service improving in selected ports.

 

Celebrity offer a more mature, classy affair whereas NCL is fun and good times. I like both lines, so I'd be more interested in the bang for buck.

[timmo44]

NCL are currently offering a choice of freebie on any stateroom for cruises over 6 nights long. You could choose the ultimate dining package and eat in any speciality restaurant you like without surcharge.

 

And the freestyle system is that you can book speciality restaurants either on your stateroom TV or in advance on the internet same as you might a regular restaurant on land. You can see available times etc on the screen. The main dining rooms are just turn up and if busy, queue or get a buzzer that will let you know when your table is ready.

Edited July 10, 2015 by timmo44

[jackson bernard]

Celebrity would probably be better. There will be plenty of people your age, and probably less kids. Not only that, celebrity has a real bathroom, and the epic only has a toilet booth with no sink inside and only slightly frosted doors. May not be a big deal to some, but I like some privacy, and the ability to wash my hands before touching anything else.

[mizLORInj]

I LOVED Equinox! We did a Caribbean 10 nighter on it a year or two ago and I wouldn't hesitate to book it again.

 

Have cruised on 5 NCL ships but not Epic, so I can't comment on that one specifically.

[Turtles06]

As you can see from my cruising history, we've sailed both lines, including two cruises on sister ships of the Equinox. Celebrity's S-class ships are simply stunning, my favorite of all the large cruise ships we've sailed. We've also enjoyed our NCL cruises.

 

We haven't been on the EPIC, so I can't make a direct comparison. All I can say is that there's very little I've read about the EPIC (including the absurd bathroom configuration) that would make me want to sail on her. I would suggest you read a great deal more about the EPIC before making a decision. There are certainly many people who have enjoyed their EPIC cruises, the question is whether it's the right ship for you.

 

Celebrity probably skews "older" than NCL, though I'm not sure how much that will be the case on a Med cruise in the summer. Celebrity will also have a formal night (which you can avoid if you want by not eating in the MDR), NCL wil not. Celebrity's specialty dining venues are more expensive than NCL's, but you can often find a deal once you board.

 

A final thought: Med cruises are typically about the ports, not the ship. You might want to take a little time to look further into the two itineraries and see if one appeals to you more. Or post them on here for comments.

 

Enjoy whatever you decide!

Edited July 10, 2015 by Turtles06

[Scrappytraveller]

I've done both. The Equinox was probably my favorite ship so far, but the Epic was a lot more fun in the evening.

 

Based on these highlights of your post, I'd say Equinox is the better choice for you:

-leaving our kids behind (keep in mind that the Epic has an outdoor adults only area, Celebrity does not - there are generally less kids on Celebrity but it only takes one hellion in the pool or hot tubs...)

-We like nice food and hate surcharges; We have never eaten at the specialty restaurants (no question that the MDR on Equinox is better than the Epic's)

-we don’t take part in too much nightlife

-we enjoy seeing a couple shows if we’re not exhausted from the day (Celebrity shows are pretty lame, but you will be pretty exhausted if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing)

-I like to dress up a bit and have a great meal service (Celebrity will have 2 formal nights)

 

Both lines are offering a free perk with a balcony cabin. If you like to have a few drinks/wine, you'll probably take the drink package. Celebrity's drink package is more inclusive (water and coffee).

 

If the only thing holding you back from NCL is the idea of paying for specialty restaurants, you can buy a dining package in advance for however many days of the cruise you think you'd like to eat in one. You could buy a 7 night package and eat in the beautiful steak house every night if you wanted to. :D

 

You really have to compare the two cruises once you've factored in all the inclusions and pre-paid options, plus of course the itinerary. The Epic basically only has 1 itinerary, you just chose to embark either in Rome or Barcelona (Barcelona's much easier). The Equinox changes from week to week. (Note: ports like Rome and Florence are not easy access, so if you're looking for relaxation I'd pick other itineraries.)

 

The crowd on Equinox will be older, but you won't be the only non-seniors, by far. Especially not in the summer.

 

Contrary to what someone on the celebrity board said, there were some fantastic crew members on the Epic just as there were on the Equinox, and there was plenty of good food to be found on the Epic.

[yonich]

I appreciate the comments so much, thanks! Still leaning towards the Equinox, and reading up more on both. There are quite a few options for each to make the package I want, I do appreciate that.

[Blondie008]

I appreciate the comments so much, thanks! Still leaning towards the Equinox, and reading up more on both. There are quite a few options for each to make the package I want, I do appreciate that.

I replied to you on Celebrity forum - I am booked on Equinox and I love Celebrity - but in your position - I would go with Epic

JMHO!:D

[TrumpyNor]

I love NCL but happens to hate the Epic - have cruised on her twice and didn't like the layout of the cabins and also didn't like the layout of the entire ship. But that is only my own, very subjective opinion. Many others love the Epic, and you could be in either group - so difficult to advice you regarding what to choose.

[Sauer-kraut]

Book the cheapest if the ports are the same. You aren't going to be using the ship much other than to eat and sleep. It is a port intensive cruise, you'll be tired at the end of long touring days.

[MaryZ]

It's summer. There will be kids on both lines.

 

Celebrity has the advantage of being smoke free inside the ship. Including casino.

 

Otherwise, we love the Epic. We don't have bathroom issues tho.

 

We sail both lines equally. As far as dressing up, I think it's fairly equal on both lines, minus the whole fake formal nights that people get worked up over.

We find a lot of how people dress for formal night pretty hilarious, ourselves. What other people wear does not impact my vacation except for the comedy it adds to it.

We've seen everything and Celebrity is not immune to it as many Celebrity people would want you to believe. Our last cruise on Reflection, on formal night a couple came into the dining room in very fancy "bathing suits". The lady had on a lace coverall that you could see her neon yellow with lots of bling on it bathing suit underneath with very high heels with "fluff" (fredericks of hollywood style) on them and the man had on a navy blue jacket, with a white nautica bathing suit, knee high socks and boat shoes. He also had on a sailor hat. Oh and I should mention, they were both in their late 60's...

Needless to say, they were very entertaining.

[kkpcruiser]

We just returned from a Med cruise on the Epic, a ship we have sailed before so obviously no issues with the bathroom setup. It is a unique setup and many complain about the layout and cabin design. My husband I are more than fine with either issue.

 

I have not cruised on Celebrity but have many times on Royal Carribbean (sister to Celebrity). When looking to book this cruise, I would have booked Allure but the price was over $1500 more and we had the free bev/ specialty dining perks. It was a no brainer to choose Epic

 

If prices are in fact equal, then I agree it's a difficult decision for anyone to make for you but as one poster mentioned, you have one full sea day and 1/2 day on the final day before docking in Palma ( assuming itinerary remains as it currently is) so the cabin and ship itself are much less important that say a Caribbean cruise with 3 seas days. The Med itinerary is intense especially if you do day long excursions (we had three from 715-5 or 530).

 

That being said here is my opinion:

 

-Norwegian does attract a younger over all demograhic

-The promos offered by NCl are just fabulous. We had the free ultimate Bev package as well as the free specialty dining package. We had some great meals but you do need to book ahead of time. As one poster said, you could go to Cagneys' the NCL steakhouse all 7 nights if you wanted!

-On the Med cruise, people tended to be more dressed for dinner than those on the Epic's Caribbean itineraries. We did not bring formal wear but each night dressed in what I'd call business casual. I rarely saw shorts in the specialty restaurants during dinner.

-We really enjoyed the Howl at the Moon venue where no tickets are needed. There was also a Beatles revue that was very popular with all ages! As for the shows, you do need to prebook times but if you don't and you went into a standby line about 20min prior to the show, you likely will get into the shows.

-Epic will be going into drydock this fall, So you will be on a nicely refurbished ship

-In late June 2015, there were LOTS of kids on the Epic Med itinerary. Our kids are grown and I'm not against kids...but if I was leaving my kids home I would probably like a ship that doesn't attract as many kids. Epic has some great slides which the kids love!

 

So in my opinion, the kid factor is the main drawback to the EPIC in July 2016. Otherwise Id choose her in a flash.

[blads]

is the balcony overlooked is it best to book for shows

[FredZiffle]

I love NCL but happens to hate the Epic - have cruised on her twice and didn't like the layout of the cabins and also didn't like the layout of the entire ship. But that is only my own, very subjective opinion. Many others love the Epic, and you could be in either group - so difficult to advice you regarding what to choose.

I agree with you. We've sailed on other NCL ships and loved them, as well as ships on other lines. The Epic is the only ship that I absolutely would not set foot on again. I hated the bathroom setup, but my biggest issue was the lack of spaces inside to relax with a book. It seems you have two options: sit out in the sun, or find a lounge buried in the bowels of the ship with no view.