MITSUGIRLYS EPIC CRUISE--2nd time around-1st from Port Canaveral

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

It was an 8 minute ride back exactly.

 

Once we made it back to the ferry terminal, we were told to sit and wait. There was a covered area with chairs, but it felt really "weird". There was a fence around it and I felt like a caged animal. LOL Then they closed this gate beside us and it really felt weird, like we were locked in. We seen people in uniforms standing around and at one point I went inside and seen more uniformed people and a customs place.

 

 

 

 

 

The ferry arrived and I swore that I would get a chair in a different area close to the a/c. This time I accomplished that.

 

 

 

 

So this was a different ferry than what we had taken over. It had ICE.COLD.AIR. A/C stood for Absolutely Chilled. I would find myself freezing almost the entire time. I tried covering up with a towel, but they were all very damp or wet. At one point, Sakari had fallen asleep and it was my chance to dart out of there. I moved back a seat with the hubby and felt more comfortable. Sakari was safe where she was at because she was against the wall and the air didn't blow on her.

 

It was a 38 minute ride back give or take according to my pictures.

 

There goes our ferry...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

We started heading back down the road and toward the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

There was a little area with the most brilliant painted houses that was a little shopping area. We decided to shop.

 

I went in looking at the refrigerator magnets that Sakari collects and also a tee shirt for me. I was given a price of $20 for the tee that I wanted. I told the lady that I would be back if I decided that's what I wanted to buy. Her price then came down to $18. Once again, I would let her know.

 

I headed down to this building...

 

 

 

This nice lady gave me the same shirt for $15 and her magnets were also cheaper. As I was "checking out" the other lady came down and said something to her (in a different language) and you could tell it wasn't nice.

 

After I was done with my shopping (and the kids were still shopping), I walked over to the parking lot side by the water to get some pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

The guys had been sitting down and talking to a local for quite some time. The kids continued to shop.

 

 

 

I had to drag the guys away so that we could find the kids and head back to the ship.

 

 

[mitsugirly]

"Marco" "Polo" "Marco" .... So many little huts and we could hear each other, just couldn't see each other...but we were following the sounds.

 

Ah ha.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last little shop we stopped at, we got some ice cold....pop! It was super cheap $1 a can...however...it had some expired dates. I was crushed (almost). She managed to find some cans that were not expired. Yippee! What is with this place and expired cans of pop???

 

 

Off we went toward the ship. We did find a "back road" that wasn't really a road, but a few parking lots and it was much much quicker. We weren't out walking by the busy roads and I felt more at ease with the kids. I was glad we decided to go this way.

 

We made it back to the port.

 

 

 

Edited November 27, 2016 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCL is always welcoming you back to the ship and handing out drinks and ice cold towels.

 

 

 

We were back on the ship around 5pm and had a half hour to spare before we were supposed to be on. Go us!

[theump]

O'Sheehans also has the only bowling alley left on the Epic. There use to be bowling alleys in Bliss as well, but during the renovation, they removed them.

 

There are 3 lanes to the bowling alley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would love this, is it regular 10 pin bowling or smaller pins? Wondere if you can bring your oun equipment and balls. Airlines would love me for the weight of my 5 to 6 balls normally carry. LOL

 

The Ump

John

PS: Better Half would be dragging me out screaming or never see me.

Edited November 27, 2016 by theump

[mitsugirly]

Thanks, Mitsugirly, for keepin' it real. Your photos are inspiring, and your commentary really makes the story come alive.

 

more, please.

 

Scanditaly

 

Thanks...I always keep it real. The good or the bad. I call it like I see it. More coming up.

 

I was so looking forward to you Tortola review. We are going there for the first time in December. Have been deciding between the baths and Cane's garden bay beach. After seeing your pictures and hearing about your adventures we are going to the beach. I had heard it was dangerous but never seen pictures before. No way my fluffiness could squeeze through some of those openings. I would fear getting stuck or worse falling and breaking a leg on the rocks or stairs.

 

I had heard about Cane's Garden Bay beach before going here too. It must be nice because people talk about it. I'll probably check it out if I ever return.

 

Would love this' date=' is it regular 10 pin bowling or smaller pins? Wondere if you can bring your oun equipment and balls. Airlines would love me for the weight of my 5 to 6 balls normally carry. LOL

[/quote']

 

Yep, full size. It's the only ship I have been on with a full sized one that I can recall. (Well, maybe the Pearl had one?). The Getaway and Breakaway have the small miniature sized lanes, balls and pins. I can say that I do not recall any balls that were 5 or 6. We did have some 7 pound balls there. They had a pretty big assortment.

[mitsugirly]

So I just wanted to do some final thoughts on our day in Tortola.

 

I was super excited about visiting a place that I had never been before. The excitement really builds when I know I'm going somewhere new.

 

I honestly did not do too much research on other places because I knew that the Baths are always one of the most talked about places and I had heard of them way before cruising. It was a no-brainer that this would be the place we would go, so not much research was done other than how to get there and expenses (and places to eat).

 

It was a beautiful place indeed, I just wasn't really able to catch it in the pictures as I had hoped. I felt like I was being rushed through it and didn't get to take the time to explore and really take a look at all the beauty it had to offer. Any time that Sakari is with another child, she morphs into another person. Someone I don't know. All rules are broken (to an extent) and by her running off with Brayden, while in there, it made me feel uncomfortable and worry more and I spent a lot of time trying to catch up with her, while still trying not to fall or get hurt.

 

The "bigens" moaning and groaning about "what had I gotten them all into" wasn't helping. Then of course Courtney falling and getting hurt was the icing on the cake.

 

We really didn't have a good day. I would have been just happy leaving the place and heading back to the ship. I honestly believe that if we would have went on our own, of course Sakari would have stayed with us, and we would have went slower, then I could have stopped along the way to explore and get good pictures and would have probably discovered that my camera was fogged. But that didn't happen.

 

The snorkeling was ok. But the waves were dangerous at times. It's not a place I would say "I must snorkel there". It was the same old fish, a little bit of coral, and just a bunch of huge rocks. Nothing that I would call a "must see" but merely a place to kill time. The beach was pretty though with the huge boulders sticking up out of the water.

 

Would I ever try it again? Maybe. It would definitely have to be a time with ONLY us. A big group is very hard to plan with. For the most part, we all love the same things...but it's still very hard to plan and do things together if it requires more than just a taxi ride to a certain place...and even then it gets challenging at times.

 

But, even if we tried it again, that would not change the fact that it still appears to be a "dangerous" place with a potential slip or fall from me...or actually any of us. I feel like carrying ANYTHING when walking in there makes it even more dangerous. It was really hard on the hubby and at times he could barely make it through places and would take the back pack off, crawl, then hand it to me on the other side while he made it the rest of the way out. If I ever did it again, I would rather have nothing, put everything in the lockers and go into the baths empty handed. I know this makes for a more challenging time because you would have to go back again to get your things. I just don't know.

 

I'm still SUPER CONFUSED about where these other trails on the map where. When we came back through it, I still did not find them. I seen everything that I had seen the first time around. Can anyone tell me after you follow the arrows in the baths and come out to the sign that said Devils bath or caves or whatever it said...could that have been part of what I was looking for? Is it actually considered part of the baths? Or on it's own? I'm totally confused about this and maybe I should have done a ship excursion. At least they had a commentary that told them what they were looking at and they know the way to go. Sigh.

 

I'm so disappointed. :(

[mitsugirly]

After returning to the ship, we headed for the showers and we were still in port for a little bit after I got out.

 

 

I was going to hang out on the balcony for a little bit to try out my new feature on this camera...time lapse, when pulling out of port, but my belly told me otherwise. I did, for the first time, try it when we were pulling in, but only for a moment and it was not a good picture due to it was a little dark, the sun was reflecting on the water and I had some lens fog. But, I will go ahead and share it.

 

Remember that I did not have a tripod with me and had to hand hold the camera. So there is a blooper where I moved at one point or something happened.

 

bqJZUNrcRIk

 

We headed up to the buffet for a bite to eat... still with my foggy camera lens. I was so hungry that I forgot to take a picture of the food.

 

 

The sun was setting and it was very pretty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sakari headed to the kids club for awhile. I think she had had enough of the adult drama for the day and needed to get away.

 

 

[mitsugirly]

So we are both Platinum. With a Platinum status comes several "goodies" and one of those goodies is a dinner for two at a specialty restaurant x2 (one for me and one for the hubby).

 

We tried to get in to our favorite place La Cucina, but when we tried to book, using our phones, they showed full....FOR ALL WEEK! Seriously? I tried calling the reservation line...I was told the same thing. They did tell me that they could get me into Cagneys at 5pm tomorrow if I wanted and that was the ONLY opinion for the entire week. Well, Cagneys really isn't my cup of tea, so I told them I would let them know. Plus that didn't solve the problem that we are supposed to get two dinners.

 

So I decided to head down to Guest Services to discuss this problem. This is SO not like me at all. Usually I would just accept it and be done. However, I thought....why not give it a try and see what they had to say. I'm missing 2 dinners and 2 bottles of wine. I earned this status and don't even get to enjoy it because of this stupid big ship with too many people on it already having everything booked up. I had no idea it would be like this. I was very disappointed.

 

Once at Guest Services, I explained the situation and the disappointment in not being able to fulfill our Platinum dinners and bottle of wine. They told me to hold on and the representative went around behind closed doors. When he returned he now told me that they would be able to get me into Le Bistro (not exactly what I had wanted of course) at 5:30pm the following day. Everyone knows that we are "night" people and usually don't eat dinner until very late...like 10pm late. 5:30pm was going to present a few problems such as: This was a port day, which sailaway was at 2pm. We always come back from a port starving and eat at the buffet right away. I knew that we were not going to be able to hold out until 5:30pm to eat. Then the next problem would be that if we are to eat at 5:30pm, then we would be starving again around midnight. Ugh. But what choice did I have at this point? So, I took the 5:30pm time reluctantly.

 

I was told that I should call the reservation line at 5:30pm the following day, when they opened, to see if there were any cancellations or new openings. "Well, I'm supposed to be having dinner in Le Bistro at 5:30pm, how do you reckon I do that?" "Oh, that's right" he replied. "Well, try the next day". Sigh. I knew in my heart that this would be the only dinner we would be able to get with our Platinum status. I was disappointed and at this point, I never wanted to book another ship that was this big or this many people...ever again. I was really second guessing liking the bigger ships at all.

 

We went to the casino and donated some money for a little bit and I was just so over this day that we picked up Sakari early from the kids club and decided to call it a day.

 

Our towel animal waiting for Sakari that night:

 

 

The hubby would do a little bit of computer work and we were in bed by 10:30 after I completed our beach bag packing for the following day.

[bunnyette]

I can relate to your day in Tortola...in St Thomas I booked a sea kayaking trip. Well after not fitting properly in the kayak, paddling against the wind for 45 minutes, hubby was barely speaking to me...all in front of our guide. I made the best of (snorkelling with sea turtles made things slightly better) it but it was our 19th wedding anniversary and what was supposed to be a fun adventure turned into a day of blame. Like it was my fault he could get himself comfortable. We actually spent some time apart when we got back to the ship. I feel your pain.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[riddle]

Kim, I did the transatlantic from Barcelona to Port Canaveral just before your cruise. We have cruised the Epic about 4 times and really love that ship. I cruised solo this time though hubby was at home.

 

I want to thank you so much for all the effort you put into your photographs and reviews. I so love your personal view of things and how you put your family into your reviews.

 

I know travelling with family members can pose some challenges. I think we all have them but some people just never mention them. Thanks for your honesty. I cruise once a year or so just with my married daughter and her two small kids. The kids club saves our sanity sometimes but I love them being able to enjoy cruising at their young ages. It was never something I was able to do or we could afford to do with our kids.

 

I am an Ohioan as well and my son went to school at Otterbein and ended up marrying and staying in Columbus so I am pretty familiar with the area. I love to cruise, sometimes going 4 or more times a year. I just retired a year ago so sometimes I go solo if nothing else works out. I find I enjoy the me time to just relax and chill out. There is nothing like making plans with only yourself to worry about.

 

Don't know why I am rambling so but just wanted to thank you again for all your efforts.

[keeponcruising]

I went to the Baths once on a cruise and started in the first rock formation and backed out. I started getting a panic attack with the small space coupled with water. My heart started pounding at the thought of getting stuck in there with the water rising. That was not for me. I'll pass on the Baths. Tortola is so beautiful and lots of great tours from there. On the Escape last year I think we left around 2 PM. At first I was bummed, but that was the best sail away. Seeing all the islands in the daylight as you sail away was such a treat.

[JinxyB]

Kim, thanks for another awesome review! I'm sorry your day in Tortola didn't turn out to be all that you wanted. Hopefully you will get the chance in the future to repeat your visit to the Baths, because the beach at the end of the trail is absolutely worth it!

 

We did a ship's excursion to the Baths a few years ago and it was basically transportation to the area and then you were on your own. We had a time to meet back for the trolley over to the ferry. There was no guided tour for us, but maybe they have one now. We did the climb/hike through the boulders and then ended up on the most gorgeous beach I have ever seen! I don't know the name of that beach, but we hiked back on a dirt trail (not back tracking through the Baths) and ended up at that restaurant/pool area that you guys were at. I remember thinking that if I ever returned, I would simply take that dirt trail over to the gorgeous beach and skip the hike through the boulders again.

 

I'm booked on the Epic for NYE 2017/18-this will be my second time on the ship. I hated the bathroom setup, but oh well. Going with a big group of friends so can overlook the bathrooms and the 3-port itinerary (I prefer 4 ports on a 7-day cruise, too). Thanks again for taking the time to do a review!

[Namlsnik]

Devil's Bay Beach perhaps

Found great info here

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/virgin-gorda/devils-bay-beach.php

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[fabnfortysomething]

one of the platinum perks is supposed to be concierge access-was there not a card in your cabin with their number which might give you extra chance of a reservation

 

I know when we have tried to book specific times for platinum dinners we have been told no availability at our preferred time[7pm] so seated earlier

However we have often noticed empty tables long after 7pm so perhaps they hold back tables so suite guests can praise their concierge in getting them into a full venue lol

 

Also if you have the card given out at the meet and greet with the head of departments telephone numbers that will probably get more action than going to the restaurant or guest services

[SuiteTraveler]

Oh Kim, I'm so sorry you had a bad day at The Baths. I did a lot of research beforehand on what to do and what to bring and not bring. My DH just carried a flat beach bag over one shoulder and we really limited what we put in it: 2 small towels (not beach towels - bath towels), sunscreen, cruise cards and tissues and then a small camera. My husband had no trouble navigating the baths with the beach bag at all. For tight spaces, he'd put it in his hand or on his wrist and carry it behind him. With water shoes on we scampered all over The Baths like kids - the water shoes make the rocks and ladders not slick! I suffered a catastrophic injury about 15 years ago and I'm really paranoid about falling but I felt quite safe there. I just went slow and was careful and the water shoes were a very important safety component for me. I let people pass me many times so I could take my time and enjoy my visit to The Baths. I felt like I was on Treasure Island exploring pirate caves! It was just an amazing day and we had such a good time - and yes, I'm fluffier than you, but had no problem fitting through the rocks - even that tight entrance, I just got low and went through it - it's not tight once you are through and I knew that having researched the area on video. Devils Bay Beach is absolutely gorgeous and the climb back up is less steep on that side. It was hot that afternoon and we stopped several times to take a break. Then when we got to the Top of the Baths restaurant, we had their famous Pina Coladas - the BEST we've ever tasted! On the way back on the ferry, I pointed out Richard Branson's Necker Island to a lady on the ferry and was telling her about it. She was really fascinated but my husband scoffed (that can't be it) - however when we got back on the ship, he looked up Necker Island on the internet and immediately recognized the compound I had pointed out. (LOL!) "How do you know these things?" he asked me. (I'm always pointing out places of interest.) I have a photographic memory and had seen photos.

 

Next time we go to The Baths, I want to go by charter boat and swim in and then swim out and have a picnic on the boat with frozen pina coladas and maybe some seafood. I think that would be a really cool way to experience The Baths - like we are on a boat and could pretend to be the first people to "discover" the area. (I'm imaginative - what can I say?) For us, the experience was safe, not too difficult and the whole day was just amazing and so much fun! I hope you go back to The Baths someday and hopefully without too many other people to distract you on your visit and most importantly with water shoes - they do make a huge difference there climbing on those rocks and ladders. I personally found The Baths absolutely gorgeous and mysterious and also very luxurious in a way. We took our time and really enjoyed the different areas and caves. We didn't find the climbing particularly difficult and not really dangerous, just tiring. But it was so worth it! I would go again in a heartbeat. It really was my absolute favorite thing I've ever done in the Caribbean.

[kirs10k]

Thank you so much for this review! I'm going on my first cruise aboard the Epic in February with the same itinerary. Your detailed write up along with the great pictures have been super helpful :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[david_sobe]

Kim

You have been on WAY more excursions than I have. I have read countless reviews of the baths at Tortola. I just don't get it. To me its a bunch of big rocks on a small and ok beach. I don't see the appeal at all. Are big rock formations cool to see? Yes. But I would not spend money to see them when there has to be better beaches in Tortola. What are your thoughts? If I make it to Tortola, I just don't see me booking this excursion. I see the Baths as "the everyone has to do and see this in Tortola." Or follow the leader type of thing.

 

I am hoping you get your reservation at La Cucina. Booked for the entire week? Wow. Things really have changed at NCL.

Edited November 27, 2016 by david_sobe

[mickev99]

Thanks for doing this review with pure honesty! After your review, I don't ever see myself trying it out, only because seeing those small crawl through spaces made me claustrophobic from photos, I can't even imagine trying it in person, so I definitely appreciate that.

 

That being said, I hate that you had a disappointing time there. I am also the planner of our group. All of our cruises have been extended family trips. I research what I want to do, give options to my hubby and 3 kids, and they pretty much leave it up to me. My kids are 13, 12, and 12, so they love any new adventure, and especially if it involves a beach and water. Hubby is a "go with the flow" kind of person. I have always sent detailed information to the rest of the siblings and asked if they want to join us, or do something on their own. Honestly, I don't like the pressure, so I would never have minded if they went out on their own. They have always decided to go with us. A few times, once we've gotten there, or the night before, I have gotten the "We're doing what? It costs how much? What about doing this instead?" Seriously, I sent detailed information with photos numerous times, and if they can't be adults and read information, then I'm not responsible. This is what happened the night at dinner before Little French Key. I still regret not going there. We had great time in West Bay, the beach was beautiful, but that was my one regret that I let everyone talk me out of LFK because of the price (which I had told everyone else NUMEROUS times in the months prior, including the hubby). I hate that you had to deal with being blamed for something that you wanted to do and took such measures to plan out. Hope the rest of the ports went better, can't wait to read more!!

[cincicruisers]

Enjoying your review. Sorry you had a bad experience at the baths, but I appreciate your honest review of the visit.

[blarko]

Today is Monday and it's another sea day AGAIN.

 

There's one thing that I believe Kendra and I learned from our last cruise (out of San Juan and a port intensive 5 port days cruise with only 1 sea day) is that we really like the ports. People always ask if you cruise for the ship or for the ports. I have always said for both and it's a combination of both that matters. Well, while that may be true to a certain extent, I think I have come to realize that the ports just may be a little more important. I know that the Fascination is an older ship without all the bells and whistles, but I was perfectly happy with sailing her and tremendously enjoyed going to 5 ports and only having 1 sea day.

 

Kendra would whine (and threaten) the entire cruise about the 3 sea days. She said she would not be cruising again on any cruises that had less than 4 ports during a 7 day cruise. I have to say, I kinda agree with her. So, I think we will be really questioning if we want to go some place if it only has 3 port days. I will not only try for less sea days, but I will also study how long we are in port for each place. This cruise did me in. LOL

 

 

 

 

I agree with you about the sea days. On a 7 day cruise, 2 sea days is enough for me, preferably one at the beginning and one at the end of the cruise. To each their own but I honestly don't understand people who say they would do a cruise of all sea days. I enjoy getting off the ship and visiting tropical places I wouldn't otherwise get to experience. The last cruise I went on was an 8 day with FOUR sea days!!!! To be honest, the last sea day, I was bored and was ready to get off the ship. And just as an FYI, I've only sailed Carnival, but make it a point to read all of your reviews because I love your style of writing and how honest you are in all of your reviews. Thanks for sharing!

 

 

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

[dporter]

I have avoided the large NCL ships because there aren't enough sea days. I love what amenities they have but if there aren't more sea days how would I see it all?

[SuiteTraveler]

Kim,

I just wanted to show you this as a possible Christmas present for Sakari:

http://www.zulily.com/e/mermaid-tails-216044.html?Tid=V3_Atlas_52_11237203093678_11182200629067_11237204464056_11237204539501_11237204540268_600_300&&

 

There are so many cute things for little girls these days!