Did we make a mistake?

[Shidah]

Have been on the Epic twice, Breakaway, and Getaway. Epic so far was my favorite. No mistake, you'll have a great time.

[newmexicoNita]

My husband and I cruised on the Getaway several years ago..had a blast. We are now booked on a western caribbean Feb. 2nd on the Epic.Basically chose this because of the date and ports. I really wanted to hit Grand Cayman. Now I am reading may reviews from folks that do not care much for the Epic...hard to get around, not as many places to see the ocean. I can still change our choice if we want...we are in our 50's, hubby likes the "play stuff", I can live without some of it. Any suggestions?????

The design is a bit unusual so some can not adjust. the biggest complaint I have seen if the bath and shower set up, with the shower actually being in the bedroom, not the bathroom. We liked it, but I can see how some would not. We didn't find it hard to get around. Not being a lover of mega ships, I don't think we would go on it again, but only because we are smaller ship people.

[FLcruisergrl]

Loved the Epic. Very easy to navigate and the Haven was awesome. From what I understand, it’s the biggest and best.

[david_sobe]

Its funny because with all the photos of Bliss, it looks like one of the best cruise ships ever. But when I see photos of the Bliss spa it still does not compare to the spa on Epic. The thermal pool is larger and has 3 water massage features compared to one in the main thermal pool. Both are aft but Epic has an outdoor area which is really cool in the spa. Just making the point how far ahead of its time Epic was. 10 years later and many ships later the Epic still has many wow factors like the spa and gym. Those saunas with picture windows to the ocean are larger too. IMHO Epic is a ship designed with pushing the envelope and doing things a bit different. On paper or at the first Epic meeting all the ideas were wonderful. But in reality some of those ideas did not translate as the most functional ways on a cruise ship. So you get quirks here or there. Visually the curved beds, walls, and cabins looked great on paper and in the planning phase but it was too radical for many to accept. I still laugh at the telephone being in the bathroom in the penthouse suites.

Epic was a winning formula for NCL because every ship built since has adopted the concept of the casino being the centerpiece of the ship. Just like in Vegas they make you walk through the casino. It must have been very profiting because NCL kept that concept.

[Oakman58]

From what I have read about the Epic, the Haven area is the very best in the fleet. However, for those of us who book mini-suites, balconies, etc. and without the services of a butler and concierge it’s not the best ship, my opinion of course. The Epic doesn’t have a promenade deck to speak of, entertainment venues that are too small for the number of passengers, cabins with a dumb bathroom layout, a wave wall that makes the cabin seem small, and a bed that is too short, very few areas with views of the ocean, and elevator wait times that can be aggravating. Walking through decks 5, 6, and 7 you would never know you were on a cruise ship, it feels more like a Vegas hotel/casino. Sorry, but I take cruises to connect with the ocean, not hide from it. The Epic is my least favorite ship.

 

Although this affects only a few people, the ship was designed with the handicapped rooms at the rear of the ship yet the rear elevators don’t go to deck 5. For people using scooters and wheelchairs to get to deck 5 where the Atrium, Guest Services, and some restaurants are located, they have to use the forward elevators. Who thought that was a good idea?

 

Having said all that I do have another cruise booked on the Epic, but only because of the ports it will visit. At least I know what I’m getting into this time.

[KeithJenner]

From what I understand, it’s the biggest and best.

 

Obviously, whether it is the best is a matter of opinion, but it certainly isn't the biggest.

 

In NCL's fleet, the Escape, Joy and Bliss are all bigger, as will be the Encore next year.

[Kattus]

Not a fan of this ship, but it's the only one doing the 7 Day Med route, so we had to sail on her. Uncomfortable, short beds, ridiculous layout where the elevator does not stop on Deck 5, and smaller Atrium than the 'Away class ships with slightly more pax on board the Epic. They could also benefit from another bar on Deck 15. However, I will say that the thermal spa on this ship is amazing, and the MDR food was better than other NCL ships.

[Husky1987]

As a cruise, I have never had a bad cruise in my 47 years of cruising.

But then again, I love ships and life at sea in general.

 

As a ship, the Epic is a fail of 'epic" proportions!!!! (pun intended)

 

As long as 4000 people per week fill the ship, calling it a "fail" is ridiculously stupid....in epic proportions.

[Sauer-kraut]

The spa is fantastic!! Best one on any of the ships!! I'm so glad I purchased a week pass the only time I sailed on her.

 

 

 

If the bed is too short because of the 'curve' you can pull it out from the wall a little and you'll have the length you need.

[LrgPizza]

I've been on both. Here are some areas in which the Epic is better than the Getaway:

 

The pool deck is lightyears better than on Getaway! It is wide open. You can sit in a spot and see both pools, the end of the slide, the band, the outdoor dining, etc. all from your chair.

 

Spice H2O is better. It has stadium-type seating and also an actual pool. While it's a small pool, it beats Getaway which has none. Also, there is food served at Spice on Epic unlike on Getaway.

 

As far as specialty dining, La Cucina on Epic is gorgeous. You can actually get a table that sits out on a wing at the front of the ship where you have a view both forward and aft. It's an amazing, romantic space. Also, Le Bistro on Epic actually has windows. The one on Getaway is like a closet with no view of the sea.

 

I've heard others say that Haven and the Spa on Epic are better, but I've never been in either, and don't know if those apply to you.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

[KeithJenner]

I've been on both. Here are some areas in which the Epic is better than the Getaway:

 

The pool deck is lightyears better than on Getaway! It is wide open. You can sit in a spot and see both pools, the end of the slide, the band, the outdoor dining, etc. all from your chair.

 

Spice H2O is better. It has stadium-type seating and also an actual pool. While it's a small pool, it beats Getaway which has none. Also, there is food served at Spice on Epic unlike on Getaway.

 

As far as specialty dining, La Cucina on Epic is gorgeous. You can actually get a table that sits out on a wing at the front of the ship where you have a view both forward and aft. It's an amazing, romantic space. Also, Le Bistro on Epic actually has windows. The one on Getaway is like a closet with no view of the sea.

 

I've heard others say that Haven and the Spa on Epic are better, but I've never been in either, and don't know if those apply to you.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

 

 

Yes, I’d basically agree with that, although I have to say I’m not a great fan of Le Bistro on the Epic either. Maybe it’s the picture gallery feel.

 

I’ll add another, which is Bliss. It’s not somewhere that I ever spend much time, but it looks so much nicer on the Epic compared to the Breakaway class.

 

Also, the balcony sizes. The ones on the Getaway are useless.

 

To balance things out, I’ll mention a few things where I think Getaway is better.

 

Mainly the Waterfront. I walk a lot on ships and it’s a great space. Also great to just relax with a drink. I’ve never yet eaten out there.

 

I also think that Headliners is much nicer on the Getaway. I really don’t like the layout (and those annoying pillars).

 

Whilst it’s not something that will affect everyone, I will mention the rooms with large balconies towards the front of the ship on decks 8&9. It shouldn’t be necessary to book these rooms to get a decent balcony, but they really are fantastic. You really have your own space to relax. I’m excited about our room on the Breakaway next Easter, and can’t ever imagine feeling that way about a room on the Epic.

 

I think there is more to do on the Getaway. I love the Epic Plunge, but that’s about it for those sort of activities. On the Getaway you have slides, mini golf and the ropes course (which we usually have a few goes on during a week).

 

Other than that, there isn’t much in it. I slightly prefer o’Sheehans on the Getaway, but it’s marginal.

 

Overall, it’s down to preference. I prefer the Getaway mainly because of the waterfront. The Ropes course and those huge balconies are also a bonus. Plus, did I mention, the waterfront. :)

 

When faced with the decision between the Breakaway/Getaway or Epic with relatively similar itineraries, we ruled out the Epic first. That hasn’t stopped us sailing on the Epic 4 times though.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LrgPizza]

Yes, I’d basically agree with that, although I have to say I’m not a great fan of Le Bistro on the Epic either. Maybe it’s the picture gallery feel.

 

I’ll add another, which is Bliss. It’s not somewhere that I ever spend much time, but it looks so much nicer on the Epic compared to the Breakaway class.

Good catch! Yes, Bliss nightclub is better on Epic. The one on Getaway is tiny, and the one on Epic is very large. As a result, some of the evening activities that take place in the Atrium on Getaway (which everyone knows isn't ideal) take place in Bliss on Epic. I never attended any, so I don't know if it really worked better, but it seems like it might. Regardless, it's a large late night nightclub space which is a big party most nights.

[catinhat]

A cruise is really essentially what YOU make of it. I have learned the ports are most important to me (and of course price) everything else the ship has to offer is a bonus in my eyes. I haven't been on Epic yet, but I certainly hope to! They big negative I always read about is the bathroom, but considering you are rarely in your room anyway, it's not a big deal!!!!!! Personally I like the smaller ships NCL has, but that is when it's us adults. I am exciting to take our younger adults on a bigger ship this winter. I think they will love all the options.

[Shidah]

Thanks for pointing the differences in Le Bistro. I couldn’t put my finger on why I loved Le Bistro on the Epic but was meh on the BA and GA. We were sitting by a window. Le Bistro does seem like a closet on the away class ships, My daughter said the same thing about Bliss nightclub, super small on the GA. But one benefit was that since it was so large on the Epic, she said it always seemed dead, By making the venue smaller, it makes it appear to be lively. Cirque show was better on the Epic. But the one I thing I really love about the Epic is that you can see the main pool in Posh. There are also suites that overlook the main pool. Our first cruise we stayed in one of those and it was so nice to have the doors open to hear the music and people watch from our balcony, it’s my goal to stay in that same suite again,

[camper49]

For us, the main shortcoming of the Epic is the curved walls in the staterooms, and the odd shaped bed that I'm an inch or two too tall to fit on. If you carefully select your cabin (zoom in on the deckplans, and you'll see the curves -- you want a cabin with the curve on the OUTSIDE,) and you aren't too tall, there's a lot to like about the Epic. We're going on it again this November (transatlantic crossing.)

Curve on the outside🤔 Sofa or bed by the balcony?

[Georgia_Peaches]

We sailed on Epic last Thanksgiving with our two daughters and their boyfriends. We had three balcony staterooms in a row. We would normally book a suite but since we were traveling with, and paying for a larger party, we opted for a more economical category. I will admit that I was a little concerned by the reviews I had read about the Epic but it was affordable and included the UBP. I have absolutely no regrets about booking this ship. We had a great time!! The evening entertainment was a lot of fun and offered something for everyone...from video games to bowling, and water slides. BUT, the ship has quirks. I didn't like the wavy wall in the stateroom at all. The standard balcony room offered very close quarters. Our bed was located near the bathroom. Some prefer it near the balcony. Either way, it was very small. The outlets are awkwardly placed (hidden in a cabinet) and probably the most odd thing was the placement of the sink and toilet. The sink is in the sleeping area. The toilet is hidden behind an opaque divider/door and the shower is opposite the toilet closet. But everything is open to the room unless you close the curtain. So no, I was not a fan of the room. But we enjoyed the ship and the time with our adult children enough to offset the little time we spent in the cabin.

I read reviews where some people complained about smoke wafting from the casino into the other atrium areas. I never noticed this and I am hyper sensitive to smoke. Some said service was lacking. I never experienced this except when it was time to tender to the private island, which we skipped. I could go on but the bottom line is, your time together will be what you make it!! I say go with the Epic and have a blast!

CM

[ready2cruzagain]

We have sailed on the Epic 6 times and have another cruise booked for 11 days on her in January. The Epic is our favorite ship. We were in a mini suite last time and loved the cabin.

[adjensen]

Curve on the outside🤔 Sofa or bed by the balcony?

If the curve (out) is on the outside, you'll get the bed by the balcony, which is what you want.