Just got off the Epic... What the Heck?!

[Happy2b@sea]

I love the Epic! Great restaurants, shows and the spa are fab! The Med itinerary is perfect! I particularly like the cruise in October when she's less busy! Service is great and the beds are comfy! Also like the touch screen technology. :)

[TheGinBoy]

Thanks for this thread NewCruiser51912.

 

We're booked onto the 2nd Sept 2018 Mediterranean cruise and some of the threads and comments I've seen have been really down on the ship - I was starting to worry.

 

Sure she's an ugly ship - but hey it's a floating hotel with alcohol, food and entertainment in the sunny Mediterranean. What's not to like?

 

Whilst my partner and I are young and active I'm thinking that given that this is our main holiday of the year we might want to create our own sea-day. I've been to Cannes, Nice & Monte Carlo a few times - so we might skip that one.

[buick1957]

DH and I recently finished our Western Med cruise on the Epic. Thoughts below...

 

I have no idea what people are complaining about with the Epic! I'll grant that this was my first cruise, but honestly, I had a fantastic time!

 

I did a crazy amount of research before we embarked and kept my eye out for all the things that everyone seems to complain about. I was fully expecting to feel crowded with so many people on board but I never did. The elevators were rarely a problem and I didn't miss having one in the middle of the ship. Every staff member I encountered was extremely nice and helpful! I felt very well taken care of.

 

The food was fantastic! DH and I had 5 meals at specialty restaurants so we mostly ate there, but even the buffet wasn't bad at all. I think a lot of people probably find it hard to understand just how difficult it is to cook for so many people in such a short span of time and that's where too high of expectations come from with the buffet. We ate at Le Bistro, Moderno, Cagney's, and Teppenyaki. We ate at Taste for the MDR but never ate at the Manhattan Room as the menu was the same as Taste.

 

The drinks were delicious! I'll admit that sometimes I had to wait awhile at the bar, but I was a bartender in college and I know how difficult it can be to keep up even when you're running your butt off. The bartenders were always as fast as they could be and never cut corners to put out a great drink. If the bar looked full, I simply walked the very short distance to the next nearest one where the bartenders weren't so swamped.

 

I never planned to write a full review but I just wanted to let anyone who is sailing the Epic soon and might be a little nervous (like I was) at the bad reviews, to not worry. As long as you're not expecting to be treated like you're sailing on your own private yacht, you'll be more than satisfied.

 

If anyone has any questions about the Epic or this sailing I can do my best to answer. Unfortunately, DH threw away the dailies before I had a chance to get pictures so I can't supply those. Happy sailing!

 

how many buffets and dining rooms are free? I'm going on the Epic Transalantic and I hear big complaint is washrooms but on computer they look okay! that's what I would like to know I hear Norwegian Epic tries to dig your pocketbook just like any cruise but I can,t wait till next April

[KeithJenner]

Thank you for all your insight - sounds great. We are cruising end of September and wondering what is the most inexpensive way to get into Rome?? We want to do a tour of the colliseum.

We have booked a tour for Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi. And will now keep Palma on the list and Florence/Naples.

 

By far the cheapest way of getting into Rome is the train. I haven't done it for a few years, so it may have gone up a bit, but back then it was less than €10 for a train ticket including use of the metro when in Rome. For a bit more you can get a ticket for a faster and more comfortable train.

 

I'm sure up to date details are quite easy to find in the ports of call section.

[Linda the Book Lover]

While there are reviews that are negative there are many reviews that are positive. The Med cruise was our second time on the Epic and we enjoyed it better the second time around. We went to shows every night and found enough to do both on the ship and on shore excursions. Yes, there are some areas on the ship which were crowded at times but we found this usually around the times the shows let out. granted we stayed in the Haven which gave us a quiet area while sailing but we did go out and about every night.

[buddylover]

Nice to get an 'unbiased' view of a cruise. However, I think the reason why you found it all so great is that you had nothing to compare this ship to....so that was GREAT for you guys!! I am happy you had such a great cruise. I believe that the more 'negative' reviews were from folks who have cruised for a while and more frequently and had a 'basis' of comparison of the Epic to other ships (in layout, food, elevators etc). Of course, opinions are subjective, and everyone has a different one! As someone who has cruised a fair amount, we found the Epic to be our least favorite ship of all times.....so you can see there are differences of opinions......but we had a good sized 'basis of comparison' when coming to this conclusion about the Epic!!

[cathi007]

Thanks for posting this! We just got off the NCL Jade and were considering the Epic for a cruise, but had heard the same thing regarding crowding. Did you happen to have teenagers with you? I am wondering what their opinions were about the number of people. I assume they would like the additional activities on the Epic that are not available on the Jade.

 

Thanks.

 

I think some people just like to complain

[buddylover]

I think some people just like to complain

Sorry Cathi007, but I respectfully disagree. We are NOT complainers and found the Epic to be very poor in layout, decorating, food quality and crowdedness. Like I stated above, it was our least favorite ship ever! Of course opinions are subjective, but NOT merely because people "LIKE TO COMPLAIN???" To each his own and everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.

[daveispar]

People are so spoiled, it's kind of disgusting. Usually, the people that complain the most are those that treat the staff and people the rudest. Please and thank you, they've never heard those 2 words ! You get, what you give ! It's pretty simple, treat people the way, you like to be treated !

 

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[marktwothousand]

I have sailed Epic and Excape. I go to Epic because of the solo cruisers and the people I have met in the past. I would not choose the Epic if you are into "ship as your destination" cruises. There was far more to do on the Excape (and I assume most of the other newer ships) than the Epic.

 

Its not a bad a ship, but I wouldn't choose it if you like "ships as your destination". I hardly got off all cruise and I was pretty bored during the day on Epic.

[buick1957]

I have sailed Epic and Excape. I go to Epic because of the solo cruisers and the people I have met in the past. I would not choose the Epic if you are into "ship as your destination" cruises. There was far more to do on the Excape (and I assume most of the other newer ships) than the Epic.

 

Its not a bad a ship, but I wouldn't choose it if you like "ships as your destination". I hardly got off all cruise and I was pretty bored during the day on Epic.

 

how big are cabins for solo cruisers on Epic I guess would be inside studio? I'm going next April Transatlantic

[marktwothousand]

I met someone another solo cruiser heading on next year's Trans. You will be fine. They are large enough to step off the bed on two sides and get ready with no issues. I had no issues with storage space. Suitcases and storage bins hide under the bed. All plugs are close enough to the bed to use your phone and tablet while charging. The TV is a bit close to the bed.

 

You will be fine.

[buick1957]

I met someone another solo cruiser heading on next year's Trans. You will be fine. They are large enough to step off the bed on two sides and get ready with no issues. I had no issues with storage space. Suitcases and storage bins hide under the bed. All plugs are close enough to the bed to use your phone and tablet while charging. The TV is a bit close to the bed.

 

You will be fine.

 

did you pay for drinks being in the solo package? travel agent told me all my drinks are free and how was the food?

[marktwothousand]

I got one promotion to add on to my base fare for free, for which I chose unlimited drinks. A gratuity is added to your fare if you choose this package. It’s about $150 in gratuities. All drinks were free except speciality coffee.

 

If you don’t drink alcohol, adding this option isn’t worth it as you pay that gratuity fee. You will save yourself that money if you pick another freebie.

 

The food was generally good. I liked the quality of the buffet food the best, but nothing beats sitting down and being served plates at table. At the buffet or at a dining room, I would typically order 2-3 appetizers and 1-2 entrees as I like to try many different foods.

 

I still have a stomach ache after getting off the cruise this week from eating too much food but it was worth it.

[buick1957]

I got one promotion to add on to my base fare for free, for which I chose unlimited drinks. A gratuity is added to your fare if you choose this package. It’s about $150 in gratuities. All drinks were free except speciality coffee.

 

If you don’t drink alcohol, adding this option isn’t worth it as you pay that gratuity fee. You will save yourself that money if you pick another freebie.

 

The food was generally good. I liked the quality of the buffet food the best, but nothing beats sitting down and being served plates at table. At the buffet or at a dining room, I would typically order 2-3 appetizers and 1-2 entrees as I like to try many different foods.

 

I still have a stomach ache after getting off the cruise this week from eating too much food but it was worth it.

 

how many buffets and dining rooms or restaurants are actually free? so what cruise to you take? I hope I'm not asking too many questions if so I'm sorry

Edited July 31, 2018 by buick1957

[Jenny142]

DH and I recently finished our Western Med cruise on the Epic. Thoughts below...

 

I have no idea what people are complaining about with the Epic! I'll grant that this was my first cruise, but honestly, I had a fantastic time!

 

I did a crazy amount of research before we embarked and kept my eye out for all the things that everyone seems to complain about. I was fully expecting to feel crowded with so many people on board but I never did. The elevators were rarely a problem and I didn't miss having one in the middle of the ship. Every staff member I encountered was extremely nice and helpful! I felt very well taken care of.

 

The food was fantastic! DH and I had 5 meals at specialty restaurants so we mostly ate there, but even the buffet wasn't bad at all. I think a lot of people probably find it hard to understand just how difficult it is to cook for so many people in such a short span of time and that's where too high of expectations come from with the buffet. We ate at Le Bistro, Moderno, Cagney's, and Teppenyaki. We ate at Taste for the MDR but never ate at the Manhattan Room as the menu was the same as Taste.

 

The drinks were delicious! I'll admit that sometimes I had to wait awhile at the bar, but I was a bartender in college and I know how difficult it can be to keep up even when you're running your butt off. The bartenders were always as fast as they could be and never cut corners to put out a great drink. If the bar looked full, I simply walked the very short distance to the next nearest one where the bartenders weren't so swamped.

 

I never planned to write a full review but I just wanted to let anyone who is sailing the Epic soon and might be a little nervous (like I was) at the bad reviews, to not worry. As long as you're not expecting to be treated like you're sailing on your own private yacht, you'll be more than satisfied.

 

If anyone has any questions about the Epic or this sailing I can do my best to answer. Unfortunately, DH threw away the dailies before I had a chance to get pictures so I can't supply those. Happy sailing!

 

Thank you for such a positive reply. We were on the Star last year out of Venice and it was the first time on a Norwegian Ship. It was fantastic so we booked again. One of the best cruises ever and we've been on at least 10. This time taking our daughter and boyfriend (first time cruiser) on the Epic and was hoping it would be a fantastic trip. Sounds like you enjoyed it and I'm sure we will too.

[GOHogger]

Quick question. If the ship indicates that it is scheduled to arrive in the port at 6am what is the earliest that we could disembark to catch the train to Rome. Trying to plan the most time in Rome.

[kollegekreed]

I always think its interesting when people say "I wish we had more time on the ship". No one is making you get off...Plenty of people stay onboard the whole seven days :)

[MMastell]

Thanks for this thread NewCruiser51912.

 

We're booked onto the 2nd Sept 2018 Mediterranean cruise and some of the threads and comments I've seen have been really down on the ship - I was starting to worry.

 

Sure she's an ugly ship - but hey it's a floating hotel with alcohol, food and entertainment in the sunny Mediterranean. What's not to like?

 

Whilst my partner and I are young and active I'm thinking that given that this is our main holiday of the year we might want to create our own sea-day. I've been to Cannes, Nice & Monte Carlo a few times - so we might skip that one.

 

I agree with you. I sailed on Epic a few months after her introduction into the fleet. We did a seven day cruise and I loved everything available on the ship. The entertainment was first rate. This was when they had Blue Man Group, Cirque and other shows. I was enthralled with all the dining options and Moderno, The Noodle Bar and other venues were first rate. However, I left the ship and said: "I'll never sail that ship again." The bad stuck in my mind and blocked out the good. The ship is butt ugly from the outside. It reminds me of Frankenstein of the Seas. :) The wave room design and the silly bathroom layout and semi-lack of privacy really bothered me. The smoke smell that funnels up from the casino was obnoxious and I was a smoker.

 

After a year or so to really think about it I found that the look didn't really bother me that much. The other big thing was that we shared the cabin with my sister and the privacy issue with the bathroom was magnified because of that. After thinking about it we decided instead of flying back from Europe in November we dumped the return flight (we just won't show) and booked the 11/4 Transatlantic. This will be just my wife and I and it will be a great way to decompress after, what I believe will be a busy six weeks touring Europe.

 

The morale of the story is: Never say never, again. :)

 

Take care,

Mike

[Csand]

Quick question. If the ship indicates that it is scheduled to arrive in the port at 6am what is the earliest that we could disembark to catch the train to Rome. Trying to plan the most time in Rome.

 

 

 

I’m taking the Epic next week and have planned a Colosseum tour in Rome at 8:45 so hoping we can be off by 6:30ish so we can be on the train by 7

 

 

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[paradiseawaitsme]

Loved everything about the ship in February so booked our dream itinerary on her for the October 28 Europe sail out of Barcelona. Didn't mind the cabins at all (always get balcony)and didn't find the ship ugly at all. We are in the planning stages now and can't wait!! We are hooked on cruising and NCL.:D

[kenmyfam]

We love her so much that we are also booked on the Oct 28th cruise...our 3rd Med cruise and 6th time on Epic since 2016.

Glad to see some fellow Ontarians on board with us.

Open to excursion ideas if anyone wants to share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[thesocialtech]

Quick question. If the ship indicates that it is scheduled to arrive in the port at 6am what is the earliest that we could disembark to catch the train to Rome. Trying to plan the most time in Rome.

They say 2 hrs after docking but we found that every port was open for disembarkation about an hour after docking.

[ready2cruzagain]

I have sailed Epic and Excape. I go to Epic because of the solo cruisers and the people I have met in the past. I would not choose the Epic if you are into "ship as your destination" cruises. There was far more to do on the Excape (and I assume most of the other newer ships) than the Epic.

 

Its not a bad a ship, but I wouldn't choose it if you like "ships as your destination". I hardly got off all cruise and I was pretty bored during the day on Epic.

Now see, I have to differ with that opinion lol. We have sailed the Epic 5 times and rarely do we get off of the ship. It is our favorite ship and we stay on it while everyone else goes to port and just absolutely love it. So much so that we have our 6th Epic cruise coming up in January and I doubt we get off then ship much then either. Our favorite ship it definitely the Epic.

[buick1957]

Now see, I have to differ with that opinion lol. We have sailed the Epic 5 times and rarely do we get off of the ship. It is our favorite ship and we stay on it while everyone else goes to port and just absolutely love it. So much so that we have our 6th Epic cruise coming up in January and I doubt we get off then ship much then either. Our favorite ship it definitely the Epic.

 

isn,t the idea of a cruise getting off the cruise ship taking excursions at all ports? but maybe I'm wrong but that is what I always thought but its a lot cheaper staying on the cruiseship and its nice to hear something positive about Norwegian Epic all I hear is negative about cabins etc!!!!!!!