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20 Questions for the Epic !!

smwc71alum

By smwc71alum,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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smwc71alum

smwc71alum

Posted
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1. Do they have dry cleaning available on the ship ??

2. The Laundry Bag specials....when are they ??

3. Can you have laundry done any other day ??

4. When can we board the ship for a 7:00 departure ??

5. Are the pools open in late February early March ??

6. Can we get Euros for US Currency at Guest Services ??

7. If the ship docks at 5:00 am....can we make a flight leaving at 10:00 am ??

8. Can we get Euros for US Currency at the Casino ??

9. Do I need to bring extra hangers ??

10. Does the ship supply body wash and shampoo in the bathrooms.

11. What Dining Room is open for lunch before the Muster ??

12. What is the favorite lounge for people watching ??

13. What is the must do in Funchal ??

14. What is the must do in Grande ??

15. What are the must does in each of the Canary Islands ??

16. What is the must do in Barcelona ??

17. What is the must do on the Ship ??

18. What is the must eat specality restaurant ??

19. What is the best feature on the Epic ??

20. Can you tell that I am excited to leave in 24 days ??

 

Thanks so much for any information that you wish to share.

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BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

Posted
Posted (edited)
1. Do they have dry cleaning available on the ship ??Yes

2. The Laundry Bag specials....when are they ??Mid-cruise, $20

3. Can you have laundry done any other day ??Yes, but you pay by the piece

4. When can we board the ship for a 7:00 departure ??

5. Are the pools open in late February early March ??Yes

6. Can we get Euros for US Currency at Guest Services ??Yes, but the exchange rate is not good.

7. If the ship docks at 5:00 am....can we make a flight leaving at 10:00 am ??You need to carry your own luggage off. It would be really tight. What port?

8. Can we get Euros for US Currency at the Casino ??No. Got to guest services

9. Do I need to bring extra hangers ??You can always ask your cabin steward for more hangers. We normally carry some wire hangers and leave them behind.

10. Does the ship supply body wash and shampoo in the bathrooms.Yes, all liquid body wash and shampoo dispensers in showers.

11. What Dining Room is open for lunch before the Muster ??One MDR. Buffet.

12. What is the favorite lounge for people watching ??Bliss

17. What is the must do on the Ship ??Cirque Dreams

18. What is the must eat specality restaurant ??Cagneys

19. What is the best feature on the Epic ??Bliss. Spice H20

20. Can you tell that I am excited to leave in 24 days ??Have a great cruise. We have been on the Epic 4 times (most recently last October right after her dry dock.

 

Thanks so much for any information that you wish to share.

 

See Above

Edited by BirdTravels
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Sauer-kraut

Sauer-kraut

Posted
Posted (edited)
1. Do they have dry cleaning available on the ship ?? YES

2. The Laundry Bag specials....when are they ?? Usually about 3 days in on a 7 day cruise.

3. Can you have laundry done any other day ?? Absolutely!! Price is by the piece, great for heavy clothing would do delicates in the sink.

4. When can we board the ship for a 7:00 departure ?? If embarkation day you must be checked in and on board 2 hours prior, if a port day its half an hour before departure.

5. Are the pools open in late February early March ?? Yes

6. Can we get Euros for US Currency at Guest Services ?? Yes for an exorborant fee!! You're better off getting money out of an ATM in one of the ports. The machines will have an English screen, just tap on the British flag.

7. If the ship docks at 5:00 am....can we make a flight leaving at 10:00 am ??

8. Can we get Euros for US Currency at the Casino ?? I don't think so as all betting is in U.S. Dollars.

9. Do I need to bring extra hangers ?? No just ask the steward if you need more.

10. Does the ship supply body wash and shampoo in the bathrooms. Yes body wash and all in one shampoo is in a dispenser in the shower, liquid soap by the sink.

11. What Dining Room is open for lunch before the Muster ?? The Mid-ship one I think its called TASTE.

12. What is the favorite lounge for people watching ?? Along the railing at O'Sheehans everyone walks through there or below it through the atrium.

13. What is the must do in Funchal ??

14. What is the must do in Grande ??

15. What are the must does in each of the Canary Islands ?? Each one is unique unto itself. El Teide on Teneriffe or the black sand beach. Again, use the ports of call boards.

16. What is the must do in Barcelona For ports of call questions go to the PORTS OF CALL boards on the main C.C. page. Lots of ideas. I think going down the hill in a wicker sled is something.

17. What is the must do on the Ship ?? Get Sleep!!! You have an exhausting itinerary!!

18. What is the must eat specality restaurant ??

19. What is the best feature on the Epic ?? The Thermal Spa area!!

20. Can you tell that I am excited to leave in 24 days ??

 

Thanks so much for any information that you wish to share.

 

See above for answers.

Edited by Sauer-kraut
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hawkeyetlse

hawkeyetlse

Posted
Posted

The Epic arrives from Málaga (I assume that is what you meant by "Grande", i.e. Granada) with a whole sea day in between to reach Barcelona. If anything, you will dock well before 5am.

 

There will be plenty of people who tell you not to book a flight before noon no matter what, and others who will say you should really stay another night, or another month :) in Barcelona, but I really would not be worried about a 10am flight. The airport in Barcelona is not far from the city, and it is not a huge airport.

 

I think you have already joined your roll call. In addition to reading the ports of call forums, that is the best place to get advice about ports and private excursions. Reading NCL's excursion descriptions will give you a good idea of the "best" stuff to do in each port. But then you can often do it all yourself without going through them.

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BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

Posted
Posted
Thanks so much for the hints and tips...Going to spend some time on the message boards for the ports. We are leaving out of Barcelona on Sunday 3/6/16...on a 10:05am flight. I hope that I made the right decision.:D

 

You will probably be o.k.

 

1) You must do early walk-off and carry all of your luggage off yourself

2) You must queue for disembarkation early. The time posted for walk off is NOT the time they will start. It will be earlier. Ask around and find out what time they "normally" start disembarkation. Get in line long before that time. There are 4000 passengers on the ship, many with the same idea

3) There is no real customs check at the port, you can walk straight out to the taxi stand.

4) While very efficient, it took us 30 minutes to get through the taxi line when we disembarked the Epic last October. Which is why you want to be one of the first off the ship.

5) Make sure you know which terminal you are leaving from. Don't rely on the taxi driver to know.

6) Airline check-in lines can be long, especially if you are in coach. And they will cut off check-in about 45 minutes before flight time.

7) Move quickly to the security checkpoint where there will also be a line.

8) After security, move quickly to customs and boarder control which can be slow at time.

9) Only after you have made it through customs, can you take a breath and walk out to your gate. Unfortunately, the very big and nice duty free shopping area is before boarder control.

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kevmoley

kevmoley

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Posted

1. Do they have dry cleaning available on the ship?

No, only laundry services.

 

2. The Laundry Bag specials....when are they ??

$19.95, it appeared on our 3rd day. It took two days for the clothes to return.

 

3. Can you have laundry done any other day ??

Yes but it is costly.

 

4. When can we board the ship for a 7:00 departure?

We boarded the ship around: 12:00pm

 

5. Are the pools open in late February early March?

Yes, they were open and Canadians were loving it :)

 

6. Can we get Euros for US Currency at Guest Services?

The fee can be high for US Dollar/Euro conversions on board the ship. Try to get Euro before you leave at your local bank.

 

7. If the ship docks at 5:00 am....can we make a flight leaving at 10:00 am?

We used ground transfers provided by Cruise Line. We left the ship at 7:00am and the ride to the airport was a little over a half hour.

 

8. Can we get Euros for US Currency at the Casino?

See above.

9. Do I need to bring extra hangers?

No, simply ask your cabin steward for more. He gave my wife at least 20 more plastic ones.

 

10. Does the ship supply body wash and shampoo in the bathrooms?

Yes, 1 body wash container and 1 shampoo/conditioner mix in the other.

 

11. What Dining Room is open for lunch before the Muster?

Buffet was open. However, we enjoyed our lunch at O'Sheehans on the day we boarded.

 

12. What is the favorite lounge for people watching?

O'Sheehans for us, mid-ship near atrium.

 

13. What is the must do in Funchal?

Toboggan ride was a fun thing to do.

 

14. What is the must do in Granada?

Alhambra from here is a must but it is a long ride.

 

15. What are the must does in each of the Canary Islands?

Try book Best of tours to give you a small taste of what to enjoy.

 

16. What is the must do in Barcelona?

Guadi's many creations in this beautiful city are a must see, the Gothic corner, Las Ramblas just to name a few.

 

17. What is the must do on the Ship?

Cirque Dreams for the finest show on board (IMO). It is worth the extra cost.

 

18. What is the must eat specality restaurant?

We loved them all. My favorite was Cagney's and my wife enjoyed Le Bistro.

 

19. What is the best feature on the Epic?

We enjoyed several locations on the ship. I guess I would choose the H2O area as one of our favorite.

 

20. Can you tell that I am excited to leave in 24 days?

Have a wonderful time. We did :)

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smwc71alum

smwc71alum

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So, as I see it...I will not count on Dry Cleaning..and if it is there good news.

I am concerned about my flight on the return Sunday...as I have limited mobility and can't go down any steps with luggage. Any suggestions on how I can handle getting off with ship with assistance. Is there some way I can request assistance from Guest Services...I would like to make arrangements or suggestions before I cruise ..... don't want to spoil my trip worrying about getting off...We are arriving two days before the cruise to "fall in love with Barcelona". These boards are so helpful. Even thought I have cruised many times....this is my first time in Europe. Thanks to all.

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Sparkles87

Sparkles87

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I cant answer them all but have been on Epic twice so hopefully I can help...

 

6. Can we get Euros for US Currency at Guest Services ??

Yes you can but the rates are extremely poor - I would suggest finding a good rate at home and getting them pre-cruise... I guess if you need a little booster Guest Services would do but save yourself some money and find a better rate at home.

 

7. If the ship docks at 5:00 am....can we make a flight leaving at 10:00 am ??

It is do-able (I've made a 10.20am flight before). You mentioned that you have some mobility issues, therefore you will not be allowed to do easy-walk-off (you must be able to carry your own bags - no assistance I'm afraid). They have scheduled times for disembarktion depending on your transport arrangements (i.e. own transport, NCL transfer etc...) - I would perhaps call NCL and find out which times you can get. The good thing is Barcelona Airport is only a 20min drive.

 

9. Do I need to bring extra hangers ??

If you have a lot to hang up yes.... I had to double up on my hangers... Though I do believe you can ask your steward, but there's no guarantee they can get you extra.

 

10. Does the ship supply body wash and shampoo in the bathrooms.

The have hand wash, shampoo and showergel - though I'm picky with shampoo/conditioner so I always bring my own! The showergel was nice though.

 

11. What Dining Room is open for lunch before the Muster ??

Garden cafe buffet and Taste - I went to the buffet both times (It wasn't as busy as everyone says it is)

 

12. What is the favorite lounge for people watching ??

Bliss is fun for people watching at night, Karaoke and dancing can be amusing! I also liked people watching at Shakers cocktails bar.

 

16. What is the must do in Barcelona ??

Sagrada Familia is a must do - buy tickets online and choose a good time! Magic Fountain is amazing at night. Do a city sightseeing bus - the 'red on' has 3 routes to choose from their HOHO and will get you to everywhere! Barcelona is lovely you'll love it!

 

17. What is the must do on the Ship ??

Where to start..... Howl at the Moon is awesome, The Epic Plunge is so much fun for any age! The queue is always big but it's worth it! The Thermal Suite at the Spa is amazing - get a spa pass (or a day pass if you can get one) - there is so much to do and see on Epic it's difficult to pick things out...

 

18. What is the must eat specality restaurant ??

La Cucina - without a doubt!

 

19. What is the best feature on the Epic ??

I loved every part of Epic - I couldn't pick just one!

 

20. Can you tell that I am excited to leave in 24 days ??

Yes... and so you should be! Enjoy!

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hmorrow "Live from...." Rare

hmorrow

Posted
Posted
Thanks so much for the hints and tips...Going to spend some time on the message boards for the ports.

 

We are leaving out of Barcelona on Sunday 3/6/16...on a 10:05am flight.

I hope that I made the right decision.:D

 

I, personally would NEVER do a flight that early.

Once, going to the airport in Barcelona, there was an accident and it took 1 and a half hours to get there.

 

I think you're really taking a chance and putting yourself under a LOT of stress.

JMHO

Helaine

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SwissLe

SwissLe

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Yes there is dry cleaning available if you look at post #4 in this thread there is a picture of the Laundry and Dry Cleaning price list. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2311264

 

IMG_2129_zpsoc1avyaq.jpg

 

That's a generic NCL laundry slip. I filled it in just two weeks ago and the butler didn't take it as there is no dry cleaning facility on Epic.

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red212fire212

red212fire212

Posted
Posted

Great questions asked and lots of info had in the reply's!!!!

 

While there are so many on this thread who know a lot about the epic, I have a question...

 

One of the people I am cruising with week after next keeps asking me if we need a power/wattage converter type thing? I said out of the countless reviews and posts I have read on here that no one I think has said they had a problem with not being able to use any of their electrical items on board but he keeps asking me! We are from the uk and are bringing european adapters as have read they are better than the US ones for us.. Do we need a converter?!?!

 

Thank you

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kevmoley

kevmoley

Posted
Posted
We're also from the uk and have been on the Epic twice (next in 3 months). No power converters are needed. Enjoy!

 

I agree, no converters are needed but I would suggest bringing a power strip if you plan to connect several items. There is only the one connection I've seen in our cabin

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DMH15

DMH15

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I, personally would NEVER do a flight that early.

 

Once, going to the airport in Barcelona, there was an accident and it took 1 and a half hours to get there.

 

 

 

I think you're really taking a chance and putting yourself under a LOT of stress.

 

JMHO

 

Helaine

 

 

Self-imposed rule: No flight before noon. Ever.

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