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

[mitsugirly]

MALTINGS BAR AND WHISKEY BAR

 

 

 

Then off to the side of that is the HUMIDOR CIGAR LOUNGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

On the other side of the cigar bar, you come out to SHAKER'S MARTINI BAR

 

 

 

 

You see the curtains coming out of the ceiling and behind the couches? (Next 2 pictures) I found them very odd. They were like plastic sheets hanging. Like the kind of clear plastic you would use to cover up something when you paint. It was odd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

WASABI, SUSHI & SAKE BAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEPPANYAKI is tucked away back in this restaurant and you can see it from across the "bridge" hall.

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Next is THE ICE BAR. We did not go in it this time. I can't imagine paying more money (I believe it used to be around $20 for about 45 minutes inside the bar and included 2 drinks. I'm not sure if the price has went up or not) to drink 2 drinks and freeze my bazooka off, when I already live in a cold state, and especially when I have the free drink package.

 

We did go in it the last time in 2010 and I absolutely loved the sour apple drinks they had.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 and the last time I was in the ICE BAR (notice I was carrying around my DSLR back then...way before I discovered my beloved Olympus Tough)

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

TRADEWINDS SHOPPING AREA

 

This shopping area is huge. They have a lot of stores here from a booze store, perfume store, make-up, clothes, jewelry, and so on. There's quite a few stores and it's like shopping at a small mall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

In case you get lost....

 

[Cafedumonde]

Great review! Do you happen to know how much the barbershop was for a guy's haircut? And is Shanghai really free? Do you know if it is any good?

[mitsugirly]

BLISS ULTRA LOUNGE

 

This place got a total remodel and boy could I tell. I did spend a lot of time in here on our last Epic cruise and I just couldn't believe the changes. It was a total make-over. I didn't even recognize it.

 

 

 

Everything is lined with chains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2016 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the same area 2010

 

[mitsugirly]

No more bowling alleys

 

 

 

This used to be there instead:

 

 

 

 

The dance floor now:

 

 

 

The old 2010 dance floor (on the sides of the dance floor used to be cages that you could dance in...they were a lot of fun):

 

 

 

 

The floor

 

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2016 by mitsugirly

[mitsugirly]

More of 2010 pictures. They use to have some very strange chairs and "beds" to sit on in the Bliss. They are all gone now.

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Time to huff and puff up to the 13th floor. The entire floor is cabins, BUT you will also find the BRIDGE VIEWING AREA here as well. Want to check up on the Captain? Want to see the history and plaques for the Epic? This is where you'll find them all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

This was pretty neat. It showed our position, along with the ships that had been cruising along with us: Carnival Fantasy and Disney Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

SPLASH KIDS CLUB is located on deck 14. This is a parent-free zone, so if you ever want to see in them because you are sending your child there, you will need to see it the first day. After that, no entry!

 

They have strict age groups and this service is free. They close from 12-2pm and 5-7pm for you to get your child and feed them. They use to be open from morning until closing, but thanks to some "special" parents that would drop their children off in the morning and never pick them up until they closed, they had to enforce a closing time to make sure the kids were getting fed. So sad.

 

They close at 10:30pm and you can sign your child up for "sitting" services and they charge $6.00 per hour up until 1:30am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Also included on Deck 14 is La Cucina. However, you get to it mainly by going into the buffet area and head to the back. There you will find steps that lead down to the restaurant. This is a pay restaurant and is Italian.

 

Another thing that some don't realize is that during lunch/breakfast hours, if the buffet area is full and you can't find any place to sit, you can go down here to La Cucina and eat. It's much quieter down there, less traffic and even the servers down there will offer to get you drinks. Of course the only down side is that if you want more, you'll have to head back up stairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What the steps area use to look like in 2010

 

 

 

The old Italian "look" from 2010

 

 

 

 

The tree has been removed as well.

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

GARDEN CAFE

 

This area has been redone as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

One of the things I immediately noticed different from 2010 is the reconstructed walls (or lack there of) and being able to see from the buffet area into the dining area. The first thing I actually noticed was that the "pink roses" were gone.

 

[mitsugirly]

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

 

This is a buffet type area with 2 sides and right outside the buffet area, but located outside. If you ever go to the buffet and missed the food, more than likely you will find this area open.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

WAVES POOL BAR. This place is always popping and busy. The waiters there are awesome though and after the first day, they seem to remember what you order and ask if you want another (especially to Kolin and his Angry Orchard).

 

 

Right in front of the bar is the dance floor. They seem to have something going on there all the time, music playing, and a live band there A LOT.

 

 

 

On the opposite side is the towel hut.

 

 

 

Overall shot and the band was playing

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Since we were talking about the pool bar, when better time than to discuss the pool bar area restroom. The womens is located right behind the bar and the mens on the opposite side behind the towel hut.

 

But what's so special about it? Well, have a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did notice a few of the windows had been replaced on one side. I'm not sure the reason for this.