Our Epic first time cruise- photo review- 3rd Jan Canaries/Spain

[hmorrow]

I actually found your description humorous and would have probably done the same with the ongoing jokes about the miraculous benefits of acupuncture! :D And, I would never have acupuncture on a cruise ship! I did a lot of research before choosing an acupuncturist. I wouldn't go to one I knew nothing about!

 

EXACTLY

It does work- I had plantar facitis-sp? right before we were going to Rome many years ago and couldn't walk.

 

Went to an acupuncturist and she fixed it and it has never come back, but I wouldn't ever go on the ship either. A massage yes, but Acupuncture-NO, NO,NO!

[hmorrow]

Am so appreciative of your tell-it-all review, Squish, and I love your positive outlook. I had given up reading C.C. because of all the negativity, but returned to check out Epic prior to my March 16 cruise, and discovered you and SwissLe both making joyful noises. :)

 

Like you, my very first cruise was on the Epic, a transatlantic in 2011. I had to be dragged onto the ship because I thought the cruising life was not for me, but I was enchanted with every minute onboard. Since then, I have been on four more NCL cruises (I only want to sail freestyle like a Norwegian) and although all have been good to great, none has been as amazing as that first time on Epic when I kept saying Oh wow, oh wow. Now finally I get to sail on her again, and I am full of anticipation. Thanks for confirming that I can expect a fantastic vacation on my favorite ship.

 

We are doing a TA on the Epic next year. Will a mini suite have many drawers?

Helaine

[hmorrow]

Great review

Thanks for taking the time..............

Helaine

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Another installment! Thank you! As you can see, I'm an avid follower of your tale. :p

 

I've worked with some Brits before and there are a number here on the boards, so I always enjoy picking up a little British slang (like numpty!) but I'm not familiar with "tat." In the U.S., that would be a tattoo, but that's obviously not what you're talking about. I assume--and correct me if I'm wrong--that tat is pretty much "useless junk" that you're really not interested in...

 

Another thing I found interesting is that you interchange rice pudding and tapioca pudding. They're two different things in the U.S.--personally I hate rice pudding but absolutely love tapioca!

 

Thanks for the tip on Bliss being quiet during the day. Sounds like pretty much any of the bars will be a good place to go prior to opening for a nice quiet spot. Does Bliss have windows for an ocean view? That's the only problem for me when I cruise solo--for the itineraries I've chosen thus far for my solos, I can't justify paying 200% for one person in a balcony so have done only insides. I miss being able to sit on the balcony and see the ocean!

 

As others have said, it's nice to read such an upbeat review that doesn't nitpick every little thing. But, then, you had acupuncture to solve the little things anyway. ;) Maybe you should have tried that on the cookies!

 

Cheers!

Edited January 17, 2016 by Quilting_Cruiser

[valencia expat]

Hi

 

Thanks for posting a very interesting and informative review.

 

We are sailing on Epic on 3rd February and very much looking forward to it.

 

It will be our first cruise on NCL, we have travelled various others in the past.

 

I agree what many have said on here that so many people like to highlight the negatives, which is a great pity as there are normally very few and are much outweighed by the positives.

 

Thanks again for a honest and informative review, hopefully it will encourage others to try NCL.

 

Allen & Nick

[SquishTheWhale]

Did you feel that NCL was trying to nickel and dime you to death?

 

Not really- but then again I've never sailed in the age of cruising where lobster was free in the MDR every night! So I guess I can understand why some more veteran cruisers would feel like that. It did feel like there were a lot of extra ways to spend money, but they did all feel optional! It would be very easy to come away from a 10 day cruise with a $0 balance on your account and still have a great time.

 

I've worked with some Brits before and there are a number here on the boards, so I always enjoy picking up a little British slang (like numpty!) but I'm not familiar with "tat." In the U.S., that would be a tattoo, but that's obviously not what you're talking about. I assume--and correct me if I'm wrong--that tat is pretty much "useless junk" that you're really not interested in...

 

 

Another thing I found interesting is that you interchange rice pudding and tapioca pudding. They're two different things in the U.S.--personally I hate rice pudding but absolutely love tapioca!

 

Thanks for the tip on Bliss being quiet during the day. Sounds like pretty much any of the bars will be a good place to go prior to opening for a nice quiet spot. Does Bliss have windows for an ocean view? That's the only problem for me when I cruise solo--for the itineraries I've chosen thus far for my solos, I can't justify paying 200% for one person in a balcony so have done only insides. I miss being able to sit on the balcony and see the ocean!

 

As others have said, it's nice to read such an upbeat review that doesn't nitpick every little thing. But, then, you had acupuncture to solve the little things anyway. ;) Maybe you should have tried that on the cookies!

 

Cheers!

 

Yep you pretty much guessed the meaning of 'tat'- I guess it's more specifically cheap and nasty items which may be cheap to buy but are tacky looking and bad quality. I love a good tat shop in port- the type that sells little ceramic plaques with 'Spain' badly painted on them and beach towels with dolphins on- but the tat sold on the Epic in their $10 sales was even too rubbish for me lol. Also numpty is a great word!

 

I'm not sure exactly what the difference is between rice pudding and tapioca but they taste very similar to me! Also semolina is in the same kind of group- eww. Like you say maybe it's a US/UK thing- we might use the names for different things! You might like the one in Shanghai's though if you're a tapioca fan!

 

Bliss doesn't have any windows- you can kind of see through the curtains if you look hard enough but it only looks out onto the life boats. I never really found a good inside spot for reading with a window view. There's some good windows with padded seats in O'Sheehans that we used when we wanted a view outside, but it's too loud to read in there. On deck 15, near the arcade on the port side (where the ping pong tables are) there's some great sofas for reading with a sea view. They are covered and fairly sheltered (as long as the wind isn't hitting you the wrong way- then it's a wind tunnel!) so if it's warm-ish, just enough to sit out they are a good bet as well.

 

Also LOL at the acupuncture for the cookies ;)

Edited January 17, 2016 by SquishTheWhale

[Quilting_Cruiser]

 

Yep you pretty much guessed the meaning of 'tat'- I guess it's more specifically cheap and nasty items which may be cheap to buy but are tacky looking and bad quality. I love a good tat shop in port- the type that sells little ceramic plaques with 'Spain' badly painted on them and beach towels with dolphins on- but the tat sold on the Epic in their $10 sales was even too rubbish for me lol. Also numpty is a great word!

 

I'm not sure exactly what the difference is between rice pudding and tapioca but they taste very similar to me! Also semolina is in the same kind of group- eww. Like you say maybe it's a US/UK thing- we might use the names for different things! You might like the one in Shanghai's though if you're a tapioca fan!

 

Bliss doesn't have any windows- you can kind of see through the curtains if you look hard enough but it only looks out onto the life boats. I never really found a good inside spot for reading with a window view. There's some good windows with padded seats in O'Sheehans that we used when we wanted a view outside, but it's too loud to read in there. On deck 15, near the arcade on the port side (where the ping pong tables are) there's some great sofas for reading with a sea view. They are covered and fairly sheltered (as long as the wind isn't hitting you the wrong way- then it's a wind tunnel!) so if it's warm-ish, just enough to sit out they are a good bet as well.

 

Also LOL at the acupuncture for the cookies ;)

 

Thanks on all counts. :)

[kevmoley]

Truly enjoying your review so far and it helps to build our excitement for our trip on the Epic next week. We leave Phoenix this Wednesday to start our vacation. :D

 

I loved your review regarding the Chinese restaurant menu for lunch. My wife is Chinese American and we were looking forward to trying it out. Lunch seemed the better time to go as well since we already were eating in the other specialty restaurants and MDR at nights. Also, my wife and I aren't too much into buffets. I don't like my food being warmed under a heated lamp and I feel I tend to eat more than I wanted to at a buffet with all the choices they have as well.. lol.. Lastly, I find that a ship could have just over a 100 guests or larger up to 4000 plus guests and the buffets seem to have more pushy people regardless. I prefer a seated lunch/dinner and nice service. I also don't like to rush it. I am on vacation after all.

 

Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to your next posting.

[elphantasmo]

my wife and I were on the same cruise as you guys. I agree that the Epic seemed built for port-intensive itineraries, and when that didn't materialize people got a little crazy. overall we liked the ship but we're going to stick to the smaller ones (we took the Jade last spring, and are taking the Dawn next year).

 

we were the couple insane enough to go in the outdoor hottub on that one extremely windy day at the beginning of the cruise. in fact, I had a red bag from my college alumni association, which got tangled up on the railing by the tub and I had to ditch it only to see it flapping in the wind for the next day or so like a flag. somewhere, someone on the Epic is proudly sporting a Stevens Alumni Association bag...

 

side note, Genesis, one of the waiters in Manhattan, was extremely helpful in helping us navigate the menu and pre-order dinner for my wife (who has food allergies).

Edited January 18, 2016 by elphantasmo

[Sauer-kraut]

Thanks for the tip on Bliss being quiet during the day. Sounds like pretty much any of the bars will be a good place to go prior to opening for a nice quiet spot.

 

If you go into Fat Cats Lounge (I am not sure what they renamed it -- on the same floor as the casino) There are windows in there. A couple of sofas but they don't look out the windows but at least you can see the sea.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

If you go into Fat Cats Lounge (I am not sure what they renamed it -- on the same floor as the casino) There are windows in there. A couple of sofas but they don't look out the windows but at least you can see the sea.

 

Thank you! It's now the Cavern Club. That's where our meet and greet is, so I know right where it is. I'm just so used to avig a view of the sea and I'll miss not having easy access to it. :o

[SquishTheWhale]

Day 2 continued

 

Sorry for the lack of update, had to go back to that annoying thing called work today! But to catch up where we left off, after an afternoon of browsing the stores and reading in Bliss, we got ready for dinner in the Manhatten room as I wanted to give it a try.

 

Menus:

 

 

 

 

To start F had the sushi. He kept saying days later that he should have asked for about 5 plates, as it was pretty good and they charge you for the sushi elsewhere on the ship!

 

 

Again sorry about the dark crappy pictures. Going to buy an Olympus Tough TG4 before we go away again! This fujifilm one is good underwater but rubbish for anything else and there wasn't many underwater pictures to be taken in the MDR...

 

I had the fried brie for my starter. It was also good, you got quite a lot considering eating fried blocks of cheese is pretty filling! I gave F the biggest one.

 

Edited January 18, 2016 by SquishTheWhale

[SquishTheWhale]

For main F had the bone in pork loin and I had the lasagna off the 'always available' menu. I didn't take a picture but I think on that menu there was lasagna, turkey sausage lasagna, spaghetti bolognaise, roasted chicken, steak and chips and something veggie.

 

 

 

The lasagna was OK- I would have liked a lot more sauce, it was a little dry! F liked his pork a lot. I think he asked for more gravy though as it also needed more sauce! Not sure if this is an American thing to serve food with only a little sauce? We're from Yorkshire, so when we have gravy we drown the plate in it, lol.

 

For dessert F ordered the pecan pie and I ordered the carribean pineapple. Guess what- they bought him the wrong dessert again! He ended up with a banana split and then also the pecan pie. Obviously he saw both of them off.

 

 

 

 

My pineapple was really delicious! It was in this lovely lychee syrup sauce thing and I really enjoyed it. Pretty sure F liked both of his too.

 

After dinner we had tickets for the 9.30pm show of Burn the Floor. We got there about 35 mins before and panicked because there was a really long queue! But lots of people chose to sit near the back so we got good seats up front. After seeing all the shows we decided the third row is the best view as it's the closest row that's elevated.

 

Burn the Floor was seriously good- I won't go into detail to spoil it but wow, they can dance! I loved it all, we spent ages trying to choose our fave part but couldn't. You must see this if you can! I would say it's quite raunchy- maybe not suitable for kids!

 

After the show we had a little walk around but then went back to the cabin so we could get a good nights rest for our busy day lazing around tommorow ;)

Edited January 18, 2016 by SquishTheWhale

[CoffeeGoddess]

 

 

 

They must have installed these chairs in the refurbishment. Man are they sweet!

[wow]

I am hopeful you will not get too busy with life and forget your followers. I am waiting with anticipation to hear more!! I just booked 3 cabins on the Epic for Dec 10th!! We are taking our Daughters and their family on our 35th anniversary cruise. I'm worried about the size of the Epic, mainly because of the number of people, I hope it won't be too crazy. I choose itinerary because we will have 3 sea days and I love sea days, but never experienced crowds....so I hope I choose well. But we can change if others think I might be disappointed. We are all in interior rooms, usually this is what we prefer, but we are used to finding quiet spots on the ship to relax. I'd love opinions!!

[SquishTheWhale]

I am hopeful you will not get too busy with life and forget your followers. I am waiting with anticipation to hear more!! I just booked 3 cabins on the Epic for Dec 10th!! We are taking our Daughters and their family on our 35th anniversary cruise. I'm worried about the size of the Epic, mainly because of the number of people, I hope it won't be too crazy. I choose itinerary because we will have 3 sea days and I love sea days, but never experienced crowds....so I hope I choose well. But we can change if others think I might be disappointed. We are all in interior rooms, usually this is what we prefer, but we are used to finding quiet spots on the ship to relax. I'd love opinions!!

 

I'd more than happily cruise on her again! I would never call the crowds crazy even in the buffet. Infact the only place the crowds really bothered me was the atrium when they had events on it there- but that's more to do with NCLs bad choice of location as its too small.

Edited January 19, 2016 by SquishTheWhale

[cjcruises]

For main F had the bone in pork loin and I had the lasagna off the 'always available' menu. I didn't take a picture but I think on that menu there was lasagna, turkey sausage lasagna, spaghetti bolognaise, roasted chicken, steak and chips and something veggie.

 

 

 

The lasagna was OK- I would have liked a lot more sauce, it was a little dry! F liked his pork a lot. I think he asked for more gravy though as it also needed more sauce! Not sure if this is an American thing to serve food with only a little sauce? We're from Yorkshire, so when we have gravy we drown the plate in it, lol.

 

For dessert F ordered the pecan pie and I ordered the carribean pineapple. Guess what- they bought him the wrong dessert again! He ended up with a banana split and then also the pecan pie. Obviously he saw both of them off.

 

 

 

 

My pineapple was really delicious! It was in this lovely lychee syrup sauce thing and I really enjoyed it. Pretty sure F liked both of his too.

 

After dinner we had tickets for the 9.30pm show of Burn the Floor. We got there about 35 mins before and panicked because there was a really long queue! But lots of people chose to sit near the back so we got good seats up front. After seeing all the shows we decided the third row is the best view as it's the closest row that's elevated.

 

Burn the Floor was seriously good- I won't go into detail to spoil it but wow, they can dance! I loved it all, we spent ages trying to choose our fave part but couldn't. You must see this if you can! I would say it's quite raunchy- maybe not suitable for kids!

 

After the show we had a little walk around but then went back to the cabin so we could get a good nights rest for our busy day lazing around tommorow ;)

 

When you say Burn the Floor might not be suitable for kids, do you mean young kids? I ask bc my daughter who is 12, is a dancer and LOVES all things dance related. She is very much looking forward to this show. Is it merely the style of dance that is a bit suggestive, or are there other specific things that I might find objectionable if she and her brothers (15) were to join DH and I for the show?

[smwc71alum]

Love this review.....Going on the Epic 24th of February !!! All tips, comments and anything else is so much appreciated. Experienced cruiser....but first time for NCL. Any tips hints about the ports...are so needed.

[SquishTheWhale]

When you say Burn the Floor might not be suitable for kids, do you mean young kids? I ask bc my daughter who is 12, is a dancer and LOVES all things dance related. She is very much looking forward to this show. Is it merely the style of dance that is a bit suggestive, or are there other specific things that I might find objectionable if she and her brothers (15) were to join DH and I for the show?

 

If she's a dancer I'm sure she'll love it! I meant more from the parents perspective really- there isn't nudity but you do see the girls in bras and knickers and there is a section where they are dressed in sexy school girl outfits and dance in a very provocative way. I'm not a parent so am a little clueless in this regard, but I think some parents may find this a bit much to show their young kids.

[cjcruises]

If she's a dancer I'm sure she'll love it! I meant more from the parents perspective really- there isn't nudity but you do see the girls in bras and knickers and there is a section where they are dressed in sexy school girl outfits and dance in a very provocative way. I'm not a parent so am a little clueless in this regard, but I think some parents may find this a bit much to show their young kids.

 

Thanks... Undies, not too much of an issue. Women dressed as scantily clad school girls is troublesome for me, but we chat about the infantilization of women and the hyper-sexualization of children from time to time, so we'll do a refresher chat in the coming weeks, lol.

Wondering how the show will go over with her 15 year old twin brothers, lol. Maybe they'll play shuffle board while we go to the show!

[GUEST080219]

Thanks... Undies, not too much of an issue. Women dressed as scantily clad school girls is troublesome for me, but we chat about the infantilization of women and the hyper-sexualization of children from time to time, so we'll do a refresher chat in the coming weeks, lol.

Wondering how the show will go over with her 15 year old twin brothers, lol. Maybe they'll play shuffle board while we go to the show!

 

No guarantee but I think the scene is in this video around minute 3:20

Other videos directly from the Epic are those two very short clips

[SquishTheWhale]

Day 3- An unexpected sea day

 

At around 7am we woke up to the cabin vibrating a lot (aft cabin, remember), which seemed to go on for ages. I remember commenting to F that the captain takes even longer to park than he does, but then I must have fallen back asleep as the next thing I remember is the captains announcement at 8am that due to high winds, we had made 3 attempts to dock in Tangier but had failed, and were now sailing on slowly to our next port of call.

 

For some this must have been a real dissapointment- people had tours planned, wanted to see Morocco, just wanted to get on dry land for a while. For us it was an inconvenience as we had never planned to get off the ship. We were hoping for a quiet day and a chance to snag a spa pass, but apart from that we didn't lose out too much.

 

Why didn't we want to get off in Tangier? I've visted Morocco before (Agadir), and also Tunisia and Turkey, and at the risk of sounding like a generalising idiot, I've had my fill of that type of destination. I don't like the unsafe feeling, being chased down the street by pushy salesmen, children trying to pick my pocket or being stared at for daring to bare my offensive female knees. I really don't want to put off those of you who are looking forward to visiting Morocco- I think there's some good tours to be taken from Tangier- but I have heard from others and from online information that the immediate area around the port is not particularly safe for just 'wandering'. We didn't want to pay for an expensive tour when we didn't really fancy any of them (3 times riding a camel previously is quite enough for me, thanks), so the choice was made to stay on the ship.

For those of you who will be visiting Morroco (hopefully!), here's the dailies:

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2016 by SquishTheWhale

[Jade Cruise]

Hi Squish, just found your review and enjoying your quirky and humorous writing, looking forward to hearing more. We will be on Epic in June as first time cruisers and are really looking forward to it.:)

[SquishTheWhale]

No guarantee but I think the scene is in this video around minute 3:20

Other videos directly from the Epic are those two very short clips

 

Yes, the bit at 3.20 is part of the school uniform stuff- but cjcruises it does get a lot raunchier. After they do that part of the dance they pair up and simulate making out and more. I'm sure your teenager twins would find it very interesting but it depends on what you want them to see!!

 

There were certainly kids in the audience who seemed to be fine so obviously up to the parents! But like you say it may be worth a word with them beforehand ;)

[SquishTheWhale]

Hi Squish, just found your review and enjoying your quirky and humorous writing, looking forward to hearing more. We will be on Epic in June as first time cruisers and are really looking forward to it.:)

 

Thank you! I'm jealous that you still have your first cruise ahead of you, you'll love it!