Gave Epic a try...never again.

[FLgal0214]

Before everyone says "You should of done your research", I did....I researched on here as the matter of fact. I read all the review - good and bad. I went in with an open mind. My friend and I booked this as a nice girls only get away & leave the husbands at home. This was her first cruise, my 3rd. Granted, I haven't been on one in a few years but I do have cruise experience.

 

As you all have read the Spring Breakers were OUT OF CONTROL. Yes, I know that Spring Break is in March, but since it was the first weekend I figured we would have a few. I asked around and a crew member told me it was a total of 2,800 U of F students that were on the ship. Ship was almost to capacity. I wonder if this was a cruise directly marketed to UF students. They took over everywhere - pool area, pool bars, casino, inside bars, common areas. It took me 25 minutes to get a drink at the pool bar. We finally gave up on getting drinks by the pool and stuck with Maltings in the center of the ship. Only place I didn't really see them were the speciality restaurants, which leads me to think they only were offered or purchased only the drink package. The first day at sea they literally were laying all over the pool area. You couldn't get in the pool or the hot tubs. I noticed there were higher level crew and Maritime Security guys in the pool areas on all days. I actually spoke with one of the security guys and asked if they were aware of the amount of college students that would be on board. He said yes, they were hired by NCL and the captain of the Epic. They are mostly retired police officers. That makes me think that NCL somehow directly marketed to U of F students for this cruise. Especially if they were already aware how many colleges students would be on this cruise.

 

Now I have only been on RCL before. I found the staff and crew not very friendly and the service lacking on the Epic. It may have been that the crew was also fed up with college kids, I'm not sure. Several servers were very short and curt with us. I witnessed several agruments between bartenders and guests at the bars. I had never experienced that before on a cruise. I never met our Steward until the 3rd day. Our room never got a towel animal. Before you all say I'm complaining about the little things - keep in mind this was my friend's first cruise and I wanted her to see all the cool towel animals the Steward leaves for you in the cabin. We had a balcony room on the deck 8. The balcony wasn't covered. Upon stepping on to the balcony I could see pieces of food left all over the deck and small table. Not exactly the cleanest balcony or room I've been in. The cabinet over the sink was dirty and I don't know if the room was even vacuumed. As for the layout - I knew how it was when I booked it. It has it's pros and cons. Great for 2 people like us. One of us took a shower, the other got ready outside the shower/toilet area. I found the room small and since our bed was closer to the door and sink area - it was very cramped. I had a balcony on RCL and found it more roomy. Also there was a noise that occured in the ceiling every night. It was never during the day. It sounded like metal scraping and it was coming from the ceiling panel right next to the sliding door. It was very annoying and I had to use ear plugs so I could sleep. In addition, the shower was so slow draining it overflowed and I had to turn off several times during showers so it would drain.

 

Due to the storm in the North East the seas were rough and we could not tender to Great Stirup Cay. We literally went in circles outside of the Bahamas for 2 days. Also, these were the roughest seas I've ever felt on a cruise. I was on a RCL ship, Navigator Of The Seas, when a stabilizer went out on the ship. Even that wasn't as rough as our cruise was.

 

The common areas were filthy. Every common bathroom I used was disgusting with stopped up toilets, toilet paper and paper towels all over the floor and trash bins overflowing. We witnessed so many people completely trashed out drunk. While in O'sheehan's one night, we had a domestic go on right behind us at the bar. It was between a woman and man in their 50s. Yelling occurred and the male half of the domestic almost came to blows with another man who was with the group this male and female were with. At no point was security called or any crew member came to intervene. I know that people drink but I really do not want to deal with heavily intoxicated people at every turn on what is suppose to be a relaxing vacation.

 

What is up with the obsession with Tanzanite? Every time we walked through the ship on the deck where all the shops were, we got stopped by crew asking if we got a ticket for the Tanzanite drawing. There were numerous announcements by Pedro, the cruise director, about a special sale for Tanzanite. It became very annoying. It was as if that was the only thing they cared about - that everyone on the ship was aware that Tanzanite was on sale.

 

Positive things were the entertainment and the activities. We caught a few of the games in the Atrium and they were fun to watch. I wish the Atrium was bigger and had more seating. The Escape Room was fun and our team won. Modesto was excellent and was the best meal we had during our cruise. The few crew that were friendly went above and beyond. The Maltings bar was the best and Alan was THE BEST bartender on the ship.

 

In all we did have a good time. We tried to avoid the areas where all the spring breakers congregated. Sometimes they weren't avoidable. They slept in and weren't out and about until about noon so if you got up early you could avoid them. I gave NCL Epic a try and I guess it was okay, I just prefer a different layout on ships. I really enjoyed the large atrium/common area on RCL. I did not enjoy the smoke area from the casino and don't understand why NCL made the ship so the casino was open to other areas of the ship. Next cruise I think I will take a cruise where alcohol is not inclusive in the price of the cruise. I would rather pay the extra for drinks then deal with spring breakers who are there because they got a cheap deal and unlimited alcohol. It wasn't just the spring breakers completely wasted, I saw plenty of other people who could barely walk. To me, it's just not worth it. I'll go on RCL next time. I like to have a good time and relax. When you are dealing with long bar lines, bad service, and a large amount of highly intoxicated people - vacation isn't so relaxing and you stared getting very annoyed and angry. On our last night after having dinner at Taste and trying to navigate through the hoards of college kids, we decided to spend the rest of the night in our cabin. We were fed up and beyond aggravated by the crowds, lack of manners, and bad service.

[JimAOk1945]

Thanks for your review. I'm so sorry your cruise wasn't what you hoped for, especially since it was your friend's first cruise.

 

Hopefully, if the two of you cruise again, you will have a better experience.

[BirdTravels]

We have sailed on the Epic 7 time and love the ship. Sorry your experience was not the same.

[DarthGrady]

I was on this same cruise and do share some of the OPs frustrations. There were a ton of college kids onboard, and drink wait times were longer than normal. I really didn't have an issue with the spring breakers, most seemed pretty well behaved. Maybe I was just lucky to have avoided the problem ones. All in all I had an awesome time and would happily go in Epic again, although I'll try to avoid spring breakers.

[ColeThornton]

"I actually spoke with one of the security guys and asked if they were aware of the amount of college students that would be on board. He said yes, they were hired by NCL and the captain of the Epic. They are mostly retired police officers."

 

Yea..............um..no.

[Stinger-pr]

You know, I recently booked the Epic for the first week of March 2020 on her second to last sailing from San Juan, PR (her winter home port that season) and the last few reviews have left me quite worried about having done that. Especially since this would be a surprise cruise for DW as a birthday present. Sure, we'd be making 5 port calls in 7 days and have a balcony. But if being on the ship is going to be such an inconvenience (rowdy crowd, mehh food, "whatever" service and overall sense of "don't care" by the crew, I might have to change over to RCL's Freedom of the Seas for a few bucks less. I'd be losing $100 OBC and specialty dining package, though. I'm really hoping I read better reviews in the coming months. Amd yes.... I know reviews are that person's opinion but lately a lot of people's opinion have been similar.

 

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[riclop]

Thanks for the review and the Epic is horrible.

[newmexicoNita]

i feel your pain in one way, the number of young people on the ship. We are seasoned cruisers, over 40 to be exact. Last year mid April we took the Breakaway and though not filled with college kids, it was filled with families; 2254 kids on the ship and it was a nightmare. Most of the kids were fine, some were brats and out of control. We also hit some bad weather which added insult to injury. Of course this isn't the fault of the ship. You said you didn't expect the college crowd so early, we felt the same about the spring break crowd when we cruised after Easter last year.

 

Now, as for bad service, like you seem to have gotten, it seems the mega ships and this goes for the other lines as well, do not have the same personal touch the mid sized ships have. On both the epic and the Breakaway our service hasn't been outstanding, especially our cabin stewards. We didn't have a great experience on a Princess mega ship either. I don't know why.

 

Although we are not fans of the Epic, I have never been on any ship that comes close to your experience, nor a ship without one positive thing. It seems like you could not find one good thing about your week on the ship.That is sad.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for your report.

Keith

[MaryBethV]

Not doing any research and being completely shocked is one thing. Doing research, like you did, and it just ends up being way worse than you ever imagined is another. Sorry. :( We have one in college and one just post-college. They aren't into the party scene at all and I still wouldn't want to be on a boat with about 3,000 of their friends! I think if we ever have to cruise in March or April (because that is all that works for work schedules) we'd take your advice and look for a line that doesn't have included drinks... and possibly a cruise longer than 7 days.

[OceansMotion]

You know, I recently booked the Epic for the first week of March 2020 on her second to last sailing from San Juan, PR (her winter home port that season) and the last few reviews have left me quite worried about having done that. Especially since this would be a surprise cruise for DW as a birthday present. Sure, we'd be making 5 port calls in 7 days and have a balcony. But if being on the ship is going to be such an inconvenience (rowdy crowd, mehh food, "whatever" service and overall sense of "don't care" by the crew, I might have to change over to RCL's Freedom of the Seas for a few bucks less. I'd be losing $100 OBC and specialty dining package, though. I'm really hoping I read better reviews in the coming months. Amd yes.... I know reviews are that person's opinion but lately a lot of people's opinion have been similar.

 

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While researching for the weeks to stay away from for the Encore sailings in early 2020 this is what I found. Some of these are not set in the calendar for every school but a good reference.

 

NYC public schools winter recess February 17-21, 2020

 

Most colleges website spring break March 8-14, 2020

 

Passover 04/8-16, 2020 and Easter 04/12, 2020 overlap so I would stay away from at least 04/06 thru 04/17 to be on the safe side.

 

Happy and peaceful planning!

 

 

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[ace2542]

There is a reason they only ever made the one.... Because it is terrible.

[Andersoncd]

If you have experienced France and the way the French design things, then you have an idea of how the Epic has very small staterooms and public spaces. We too found the EPIC to be below average when compared to other ships. I have never walked so much in my life on vacation as I did on this ship. Having no midship elevators is a big drawback.

[Moby0215]

There is a reason they only ever made the one.... Because it is terrible.

 

 

 

This is incorrect. From what I understand NCL cancelled the contract with the builder after a dispute way before the ship was ever in use.

 

 

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[DMH15]

There is a reason they only ever made the one.... Because it is terrible.

 

 

 

Actually the Epic haven is outstanding.

 

 

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[trivimp]

You know, I recently booked the Epic for the first week of March 2020 on her second to last sailing from San Juan, PR (her winter home port that season) and the last few reviews have left me quite worried about having done that. Especially since this would be a surprise cruise for DW as a birthday present. Sure, we'd be making 5 port calls in 7 days and have a balcony. But if being on the ship is going to be such an inconvenience (rowdy crowd, mehh food, "whatever" service and overall sense of "don't care" by the crew, I might have to change over to RCL's Freedom of the Seas for a few bucks less. I'd be losing $100 OBC and specialty dining package, though. I'm really hoping I read better reviews in the coming months. Amd yes.... I know reviews are that person's opinion but lately a lot of people's opinion have been similar.

 

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Of course, you'll want to weigh multiple factors in your decision... but I don't think most spring-breakers are going to fly to PR for a cruise. They tend to look for something cheap out of Florida, so they can drive to the port. Food for thought.

[LrgPizza]

Actually the Epic haven is outstanding.

Also, Spice H2O and the pool deck are way better than on the Breakaway class of ships. There are definitely good things about this ship.

[srmoore]

Unfortunately, we also had similar experiences on this same cruise. My 7-year old was upset that we wouldn't take him to the pool after witnessing these kids grinding on each other and using the kids area as stripper poles on the first afternoon. I was in awe as I watched the security guards stare/laugh/smile at these young ladies simulating sex acts to their companions. I don't consider myself a prude, but also don't take my 7-year old to R-rated movies. At one point, one of the drunk young men referred to my child as a "f***ing brat" after he said excuse me to try to get in the pool. We've been on several cruises, but this was our first with NCL. Never again... What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation was anything but, and we were all so happy to get back home last night.

[rjm11]

You know, I recently booked the Epic for the first week of March 2020 on her second to last sailing from San Juan, PR (her winter home port that season) and the last few reviews have left me quite worried about having done that. Especially since this would be a surprise cruise for DW as a birthday present. Sure, we'd be making 5 port calls in 7 days and have a balcony. But if being on the ship is going to be such an inconvenience (rowdy crowd, mehh food, "whatever" service and overall sense of "don't care" by the crew, I might have to change over to RCL's Freedom of the Seas for a few bucks less. I'd be losing $100 OBC and specialty dining package, though. I'm really hoping I read better reviews in the coming months. Amd yes.... I know reviews are that person's opinion but lately a lot of people's opinion have been similar.

 

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As the other poster mentioned, cruises from PR are not typically on the spring break cruise line up because it's fairly costly to fly there. Also, the spring break problem cruises tend to be the shorter ones (3 and 4 night, like the one described here) not the 7 night or longer. I think you'll be fine.

[kearney]

While researching for the weeks to stay away from for the Encore sailings in early 2020 this is what I found. Some of these are not set in the calendar for every school but a good reference.

 

NYC public schools winter recess February 17-21, 2020

 

Most colleges website spring break March 8-14, 2020

 

Passover 04/8-16, 2020 and Easter 04/12, 2020 overlap so I would stay away from at least 04/06 thru 04/17 to be on the safe side.

 

Happy and peaceful planning!

 

 

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I found this site, which I used to try to figure out the best time to go on a cruise with minimal college break folks. Now I wish I had one for high school and grammar schools. What I did was take an hour and count how many schools were off by week and then plan around it. Also, avoid shorter cruise lengths. College kids are trying to get the biggest bang for limited funds, so 3-4 day cruises likely to be the most problematic... best to go for 7 day or longer. We are going on a 14 day April 1... by then few colleges on break and few children or college kids likely to go on a long cruise like this. If you are stressed out imagine the crew. I can understand how they would be on their last nerve... and the season is not over for them... you can go home... they have to stay, smile and hope they actually do get gratuity.

 

https://www.studentcity.com/when-is-my-spring-break

[Budget Queen]

Being there are claims of "not knowing". keep in mind==

 

short cruises attract more of the party crowd, they are cheaper and fit into limited schedules. Spring break can happen, throughout March until Easter. EXPECT- excessive party goers and drinking. Quad cabins filled, so expect crowds and lines.

 

This isn't anything new, there reports of this every year. Happens throughout the cruise lines. Don't shoot yourself in the foot, claiming you'll never sail them again. Going at another time, will be totally different.

[mjkacmom]

A four day cruise, during college spring breaks, leaving from Florida, in March, and you will never sail NCL because of drunk college kids, crowds, and bad weather? I’ve been on 4 NCL cruises ships, never had a single one of these issues. Smooth sailing (did miss GSC once), never noticed any drunks, no problem with lines...

 

However, I don’t think I’d like a 3 or 4 day cruise, and definitely not during spring break, on any of the mass cruise lines.

[delluser]

I'm sorry your experience was not what you had hoped for. It's disappointing when that happens. My family sailed on the Epic over Thanksgiving a few years ago (Western Med) and we loved it. I don't believe it was at capacity and no Spring Breakers. We had very good service all week.

 

We sailed RCL Anthem of the Seas last year for Spring Break (our first RCL experience) and we were all severely disappointed. Poor/disengaged servers, long waits for drinks (no drink package), rude fellow passengers at every turn. It was a floating arcade perfect for 10-12 yr old boys-just wasn't for us.

 

We've also sailed Carnival at Spring Break at least 2-3 times and had pretty great trips with awesome service.

 

Bottom line-it's a crap shoot. Every person will have a different experience because each cruise is made up of different people. I hope your next cruise is better!

[BostonGal35]

sounds like your issue was not with NCL or the Epic, but poor selection of vacation week.

[coffeebean]

If you have experienced France and the way the French design things, then you have an idea of how the Epic has very small staterooms and public spaces. We too found the EPIC to be below average when compared to other ships. I have never walked so much in my life on vacation as I did on this ship. Having no midship elevators is a big drawback.

None of the modern mega ships have midship elevators. Look at the deck plans of every cruise line's mega ship and you will see only forward and aft elevators. There is so much important real estate on these mega ships that can not be interrupted by elevators or stairs.

Edited March 9, 2018 by coffeebean