Just off Epic today

[albingirl]

Well, we had fun. Great food, especially specialty restaurants, except Moderno, and what's not to like about the drink package? However, ship is strange. Bathroom situation is horrible, and who designed the toilet with an opaque panel? Balcony room small, could barely move around. Cabin steward wonderful, however.

I don't like the tier system.....Haven and Posh, such a turn-off to do a class system. We could not afford to do those things, so why make the other passengers sit on such hard lounges and beg to find something in the shade on the main decks? Music was horrible by the pool but night entertainment was great. Loved Burn the Floor. Hated the Priscilla show. Loved the dueling pianos. Lots of nickle and diming going on here. But, we did enjoy the cruise....hard to find one we didn't. This was a crowded ship and we felt it. We don't usually cruise on such big ships. However, there were such lovely staff members. If anyone is sailing with Epic soon, I think you'll enjoy. I simply like a more quiet and sedate ship. (I'm getting older).:)

[NitaBcruising]

Thanks for your comments. We will do the TA in April.

 

How was your weather? I have heard that on bad days the ship is crowded, beings people stay inside. We are hoping for nice weather, which we've had on our other TA cruises!

[Two Wheels Only]

I don't like the tier system.....Haven and Posh, such a turn-off to do a class system. We could not afford to do those things, so why make the other passengers sit on such hard lounges and beg to find something in the shade on the main decks?

I don't understand this complaint. If the complaint is that standard loungers are too hard, that has nothing to do with Haven/Posh. If the complaint is that there are optional areas of the ship that are "better", does the same apply to staterooms? Is it "class system" that suites are larger/better than insides or balconies?

 

I don't think that non-suite guests suffer because suite guests have more/better accommodations. If Epic shut down the Haven/Posh for the week, would your cruise have been better? I don't understand the "turn-off".:confused:

[Barbiegator]

Also just off Epic. We had a mini suite which had a lot of storage. Liked the sink outside the toilet room as both can be used at the same time.We learned to plan ahead because elevators were usually crowded and tried not to go back to stateroom unless necessary. Love the drink and specialty dining room pkg. Cagney steakhouse was our favorite. Also ate at Italian with a great view and the French Bistro which has a great atmosphere. Food was better quality than buffet. We also ate in Taste but service so slow we cancelled Manhattan Dining room.O'Sheenans is a great option and open 24 hrs. Wings, and bar food was very good.We ate there 3 times.

We have cruised a few times on the mega ships and know you have to have patience at busy times.Loved muster drill inside.

Priscilla Show is about 3 drag queens and some left. Music and costumes were fabulous. Burn the Floor has superior ballroom dancers.Didn't go to comedy club but you do need reservations.

Casino is spread out along deck and I tried to play in nonsmoking. Enough machines to keep me entertained for the week.Husband says they need more than 1 $5 dollar 3 card poker in smoking. They had 2 $10 in nonsmoking and not many used them.So need 1 more $5 3 card poker.

My favorites: ketchup,mustard and silverware on tables in buffet. Muffins were best ever. Great hamburger meat.Maryland fried chicken.lots of omelette stations.Friendly cruisers.Especially in bars and elevators.

Didn't go to private island but heard not enough chairs.

Epic going to Barcelona in April for the summer season.Our first Norwegian Cruise but even though we are diamond plus on RC we would go on them again if we had the 2 pkg deals in cruise rate.

[albingirl]

I don't understand this complaint. If the complaint is that standard loungers are too hard, that has nothing to do with Haven/Posh. If the complaint is that there are optional areas of the ship that are "better", does the same apply to staterooms? Is it "class system" that suites are larger/better than insides or balconies?

 

I don't think that non-suite guests suffer because suite guests have more/better accommodations. If Epic shut down the Haven/Posh for the week, would your cruise have been better? I don't understand the "turn-off".:confused:

 

Well, I'm not accustomed to the separate areas on cruise ships to the extent of NCL. Holland America has the Neptume suites, but not the separate bar and pool areas. It's a bit rich, really. You don't need to be so harsh. I think all guests deserve soft cushions on lounges and great service without feeling like steerage. I haven't seen this on other cruise lines to this extent.

[albingirl]

Thanks for your comments. We will do the TA in April.

 

How was your weather? I have heard that on bad days the ship is crowded, beings people stay inside. We are hoping for nice weather, which we've had on our other TA cruises!

 

great weather; you'll be fine in April.

[riclop]

Well, we had fun. Great food, especially specialty restaurants, except Moderno, and what's not to like about the drink package? However, ship is strange. Bathroom situation is horrible, and who designed the toilet with an opaque panel? Balcony room small, could barely move around. Cabin steward wonderful, however.

I don't like the tier system.....Haven and Posh, such a turn-off to do a class system. We could not afford to do those things, so why make the other passengers sit on such hard lounges and beg to find something in the shade on the main decks? Music was horrible by the pool but night entertainment was great. Loved Burn the Floor. Hated the Priscilla show. Loved the dueling pianos. Lots of nickle and diming going on here. But, we did enjoy the cruise....hard to find one we didn't. This was a crowded ship and we felt it. We don't usually cruise on such big ships. However, there were such lovely staff members. If anyone is sailing with Epic soon, I think you'll enjoy. I simply like a more quiet and sedate ship. (I'm getting older).:)

 

That is why i cancelled , bathroom.

[Son of a son of a ...]

Well, I'm not accustomed to the separate areas on cruise ships to the extent of NCL. Holland America has the Neptume suites, but not the separate bar and pool areas. It's a bit rich, really. You don't need to be so harsh. I think all guests deserve soft cushions on lounges and great service without feeling like steerage. I haven't seen this on other cruise lines to this extent.

 

I travel coach and some pay $$ to sit in 1st class. Their money, none of my business.

[tulch]

Also, just off the Epic today after a b2b. We were apprehensive about the Epic: I read lots of bad reports, many of them from CC cruisers. We actually booked the Spirit (a smaller ship, shall we say?) but got caught in the great ship shuffle of two years ago when NCL switched itineraries on multiple ships. We were offered the Epic which was perhaps the one ship in the fleet we swore we would never sale.

 

As it turns out, this was the best cruise we've had in more than 20 years of cruising. We had such a GREAT time that we probably will cancel our existing booking with NCL for next year and do the Epic again.

 

I will get around to a fuller review in a few days but boy, were we surprised (in good way)!

[Two Wheels Only]

I travel coach and some pay $$ to sit in 1st class. Their money, none of my business.

 

That's how I feel. If the complaint was "...loungers are too hard..", I'd agree. Most ships use the hard loungers. I don't think that non-suite guests should vent their anger towards those in suites.

 

As for private areas, if those didn't exist, there would be less justification for the higher price of the suites.

[albingirl]

Right, understand. It's just in your face in this ship. Not comfortable, ever, really. Crappy lounges that are awfully uncomfortable by the pool. Comfy lounges up by the top deck but all in the sun. No shade. Cordoned off areas we couldn't enter, ok, I understand but a turn off. Back to the days of the Titanic.

[easyboy]

Thanks for the feedback.

[SquishTheWhale]

How many people did you have in your cabin that you could 'barely move around'? I can see how it should be crowded if you shared with 4 and had the sofa made up as a bed.

 

All the large NCL ships have a similar Haven set up so you should probably avoid if you don't like it. I don't really care about it because I know they have paid 3, 5 or even 10 times as much as me for the cruise.

[KeithJenner]

Right, understand. It's just in your face in this ship. Not comfortable, ever, really. Crappy lounges that are awfully uncomfortable by the pool. Comfy lounges up by the top deck but all in the sun. No shade. Cordoned off areas we couldn't enter, ok, I understand but a turn off. Back to the days of the Titanic.

 

 

 

Where were the cordoned off areas?

 

This is a genuine question. I've sailed on the ships with a Haven a few times and the one comment I would make is how incredibly not in your face they are.

 

The entrances to the Haven are just doors that I think most people would just assume are for staff, or via lifts where, again I would just assume those floors weren't for passengers. On the couple of occasions I have visited the Haven to view cabins on new ships I have actually struggled to find the entrance to it.

 

I heard a few comments a while ago about a fuss being made by the concierge about bringing suite people into cirque (although I've never seen that myself), but the only time I am ever reminded of the presence of the Haven once onboard is the reserved seating area in the theatre.

 

I'm wondering if something has changed, because I honestly think that this is something that NCL does really well. I have spoken to people who have been on cruises on the ships with the Haven or Posh/Vibe and never even realised that it was there.

[mncruiser84]

We were on this same cruise. It really didn't feel crowded to us at all except when disembarking at the caymans. We had a great time and are thinking of booking on the epic again next year. The prices are definitely better than the other large ships.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

[owlgirl31]

Right, understand. It's just in your face in this ship. Not comfortable, ever, really. Crappy lounges that are awfully uncomfortable by the pool. Comfy lounges up by the top deck but all in the sun. No shade. Cordoned off areas we couldn't enter, ok, I understand but a turn off. Back to the days of the Titanic.

 

Hey at least you were able to get a lounger!LOL

[albingirl]

Hey at least you were able to get a lounger!LOL

True!!!!! We did have a good time overall. I was hoping for a comfortable lounge chair in the shade. Not to be. But, food and service was outstanding on this cruise.

[BLACKBURNROVERS]

Hated the Priscilla show. Loved the dueling pianos. Lots of nickle and diming going on here.

Just shows the difference in taste. We thought that Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was excellent, regardless of the content of the show. Went to watch Duelling pianos, lasted 5 minutes and walked out as we found it awful and boring to watch. What do you actually mean with "lots of nickle and diming".? We spent 7 days on the Epic and our final bill was ZERO. I guess it depends on if you want to buy anything extra.

[kingoftheicedragons]

Thanks for your feedback. Everyone gets to have their opinion.

 

We got off the Epic on 1/28, and the loungers or the Haven Suites aren't things that I'd complain about myself. The loungers were essentially the same ones that we've had on every cruise. Yes, other cruise lines may have areas with thick cushions that either 1) cost extra money, which I won't do because I'm cheap ;) or 2) so crowded and congested that it's practically impossible to find a place to sit there. And actually, Epic had this area, as well, up at the front of the Sun Deck (Deck 18, I believe) that was open to everyone. We walked through here a couple of times, but it was impossible to find an open place for two people.

 

Also, the Epic did have thick cushioned couches in a few places near the aft of the ship if you wanted them. Not only that, I was impressed that there was almost always some place to sit on a lounger on Epic--either on Deck 15 or on the forward Sun Deck.

 

I do agree that the bathroom layout in the staterooms on Epic was unusual at best. At least for the interior cabins, don't know how it was for other cabins.

 

If I had complaints about the ship, it would be that the forward elevators didn't seem to respond to the call button very well. The elevators would sit on the same floor for long periods of time (but when they did stop at your floor, if you blinked, you could miss them), and the DJ shouldn't be allowed to have any guest interactions because he's terrible at them.

[newmexicoNita]

Well, we had fun. Great food, especially specialty restaurants, except Moderno, and what's not to like about the drink package? However, ship is strange. Bathroom situation is horrible, and who designed the toilet with an opaque panel? Balcony room small, could barely move around. Cabin steward wonderful, however.

I don't like the tier system.....Haven and Posh, such a turn-off to do a class system. We could not afford to do those things, so why make the other passengers sit on such hard lounges and beg to find something in the shade on the main decks? Music was horrible by the pool but night entertainment was great. Loved Burn the Floor. Hated the Priscilla show. Loved the dueling pianos. Lots of nickle and diming going on here. But, we did enjoy the cruise....hard to find one we didn't. This was a crowded ship and we felt it. We don't usually cruise on such big ships. However, there were such lovely staff members. If anyone is sailing with Epic soon, I think you'll enjoy. I simply like a more quiet and sedate ship. (I'm getting older).:)

 

Nice objective review. Thanks. We were on her a couple of months ago. Yes, we had heard many complaints about the bathroom set up, but we actually really liked it. Balcony, thank God we knew ahead of time they were small. I don't know of a single NCL ship with decent sized balconies. We love Modernos, can't understand not liking it if you are a meat eater and love a good salad bar, but again, that is simply a matter or opinion. Had to smile when you said you hated Prescilla, we were going to go, ended cancelling our reservation and were so happy we did.

 

I do have one question: with the drink and dining package, I am not sure why anyone would say the ship nickles and dimes you. Other than tips we didn't owe hardly anything at the end of the cruise. In fact we had a $100 OBC and almost had trouble using it.

 

Size wise, we agree with you: too crowded for us, but we are taking the Breakaway in April and are looking forward to it. We also found the elevators a nightmare and debarkation a bigger nightmare but it was the first sailing out of Canaveral

Edited February 5, 2017 by newmexicoNita

[BLACKBURNROVERS]

No problem with a B6 (Large balcony) on the Epic. Excellent size as far as I am concerned with enough room for 2 loungers, 2 chairs and a table.

[albingirl]

Nice objective review. Thanks. We were on her a couple of months ago. Yes, we had heard many complaints about the bathroom set up, but we actually really liked it. Balcony, thank God we knew ahead of time they were small. I don't know of a single NCL ship with decent sized balconies. We love Modernos, can't understand not liking it if you are a meat eater and love a good salad bar, but again, that is simply a matter or opinion. Had to smile when you said you hated Prescilla, we were going to go, ended cancelling our reservation and were so happy we did.

 

I do have one question: with the drink and dining package, I am not sure why anyone would say the ship nickles and dimes you. Other than tips we didn't owe hardly anything at the end of the cruise. In fact we had a $100 OBC and almost had trouble using it.

 

Size wise, we agree with you: too crowded for us, but we are taking the Breakaway in April and are looking forward to it. We also found the elevators a nightmare and debarkation a bigger nightmare but it was the first sailing out of Canaveral

Thank you. I thought some of the upcharges for drinks was excessive, and charging for bowling was a bit much. All the specialty restaurants are expensive, too. I didn't like Moderno since it seemed like an enormous amount of meat and not my style. But waitress was wonderful. We had a regular sized balcony for two people and it seemed crowded with the couch so big. That's it. We like smaller ships in general. It was hard to get a proper time for a show. I don't like going to a show at 10. I'm past my bedtime! LOL.

[Farby]

We were concerned about sailing on the epic as well after having read so many bad reviews in fact we came very close to canceling. Very happy we didn't!

[clementine01]

To those of you that just sailed on the Epic. We are sailing on Feb 18th to ports of Great Stirrup Caye, Cozumel, Grand Caymans and Ocho Rios.

 

Which of these ports require tendering?

 

I've heard that you need to make reservations for the tender. Can that be done now, or only after you are onboard? If onboard, where do you make the tender reservations?

 

Thanks!

[BLACKBURNROVERS]

GSC and Cayman Islands. Book your tender when on board via your interactive TV screen