NCL Epic vs NCL Escape

[cruisingwiththe family]

Just got off the Escape in August.  Loved it!!  Restaurants were great and had few issues.  Just booked Epic for Spring Break in April.  Anyone been on both and can tell me diffrences?  Similarities?  Are restaurants and entertainment similar?  Any information will be great!!

[dolita22]

I have been on both twice! We enjoyed both ships, but for different reasons, though prefer the Escape. We liked it because the Waterfront goes quite a ways around the ship and is great to walk around and grab a drink somewhere at any time, it feels more open on the decks, the grotto and adults-only area in Spice H20, and Margaritaville.

BUT, the Epic holds a special place for us because we got engaged on the ship. I also like the Epic's staterooms, even with the curved walls because they felt cozy and more comfortable, and the pool area on the Epic seems bigger and less separated than that of the Escape.

Restaurants are similar. As for shows, the Escape had good shows when we were on. We weren't fans of Blue Man Group on the Epic, but loved Million Dollar Quartet on the Escape, so much so that we saw it on both of our sailings. I don't think MDQ is on the Escape anymore.

One thing to be aware of, if you are not already, is the bathroom setup on the Epic. Takes a bit of getting used to if you're used to all the bathroom facilities being in one room! The sink, toilet, and shower are all in separate "compartments" on the Epic. We don't mind it at all, but others weren't fans. I liked brushing my teeth and getting ready while my hubs was showering. We sailed with friends a few years ago on the Epic as their first cruise, then they sailed again with us on the Escape, and they were surprised the bathroom was all in one on the Escape. They weren't bothered by the setup either, for what it's worth.

All in all, IMO, both ships are great. Enjoy your cruise!

[BirdTravels]

Both ships are good. We have been on the Escape 3 times and the Epic 6 times. Since we like the Thermal Suites, the Epic has the best thermal suite in the fleet. And if you are traveling in the Haven, the Epic has best Haven in the fleet. 

We don't mind the curvy walls or "transporter tube" showers and toilets (although we would book a mini over a regular balcony for the extra space in the shower and toilet. 

The Epic is a smaller ship, so fewer specialty restaurants. Still has the basics: Le Bistro, Cagney's, La Cucina, Moderno, Teppanyaki, Manhattan Room, Taste, O'Sheehan's. And Broadway shows Priscilla and Burn the Floor. Spice H20 is a lot bigger with a small pool. 

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Epic's Spice H20 has tiered levels for seating as well.  

 

[Lupush]

I've been on Epic twice and Escape once.  Both great ships, however I give escape the edge. Escape's thermal spa has the snow room, which Epic's does not (at least the last time I was on it.)  Rooms are MUCH better on the Escape, especially in the Haven.  The wave rooms on Epic are not good, the Haven Spa Suites especially.  The showers leak all over the room and the circular bed is just awful.  I do like that Spice H20 on Epic has a small pool and two hot tubs, only one in the fleet that has the pool in the adults area I believe.  Also beware of sailing during spring break, there were some horror stories last year from people sailing out of Port Canaveral.  Check some of the old threads to make sure it's going to be the right atmosphere for you.

[Vyhanek]

There is no comparison.    Anyone who's cruised both ships would vote for the Escape.

The only exception and it is a big deal is the Haven.    The Haven on the Epic is amazing.   The Haven on the Escape is over crowded and inferior.    Examples, POSH on the Epic is a lovely, huge sundeck with huge bar, umbrellas, lots of sun or shade, designer outdoor furniture, etc.    The Escape sundeck holds about 30 people, not nearly enough for the over crowded Escape Haven guests and their is chair hogging.   The tiny Escape sundeck has no bar, and the sundeck shares the space with the only Haven smoking area.    So you are in this smallish area and the smokers are 20 feet away divided by a sort of half wall that blows the smoke right over it!    I could go on and on about how inferior the Escape Haven is but that is not your question!!

The problem with the Epic is that NCL has maximized capacity at the expense of public space.   Specifically outdoor space.    The only outdoor dining is now part of what other ships would consider pool deck space.    The public spaces are so terribly designed...at the expense of squeezing in as many cabins as possible that there really isn't any public space on the ship you can see the ocean!    Can you imagine, on a cruise ship and you can't really see the ocean?!

There isn't the outdoor walkway with the bars and restaurants.....Again, everything is inside and enclosed.   This is going to sound snotty but I also think the Epic gets filled up at the last minute with bargain basement prices and that affects the quality of the clientele.    People looking for the cheapest week long cruise somehow find their way to the Epic because it is viewed as an inferior ship.    Not so much on the Escape.   

But the food is the same.  The shows are the same.  Casino same.  Same energy.   You won't have a bad time, it just isn't at the level of the Escape.   

[ashleyriley]

Hi there, we are thinking of booking April 13 in the Haven. Your comment regarding the horror stories and Port Canaveral make me a little nervous. Do you think  the April 13 sailing will be past Spring Break chaos? Easter is also the 21st. Thanks! 

 

[detroitlions]

49 minutes ago, ashleyriley said:

Hi there, we are thinking of booking April 13 in the Haven. Your comment regarding the horror stories and Port Canaveral make me a little nervous. Do you think  the April 13 sailing will be past Spring Break chaos? Easter is also the 21st. Thanks! 

 

It will be spring break but I know people exaggerate this as a issue you will be fine.

The worse time to cruise is the cheaper hurricane season cruises where the group rate folks like the singles group all go.

never again for me.

[rtkenmore]

I've sailed twice on Epic and once on Escape.  I have to say they both have their perks but as some others have said, if you enjoy the Thermal Suite, then Epic is hands down the winner.  Best Thermal Suite in the fleet.  I love the outdoor deck area only accessible in the suite with the day beds and lounge chairs.  It's a great place to just relax and enjoy the quiet.

 

The bathrooms are a bit weird but as long as you know that going in, it's fine.  You can deal.  If you haven't done any research and you walk in to see it for the first time, it can be a bit of a shock.

 

Mostly the same array of speciality restaurants with the exception of Escape having a few more.  Epic has the circus/dinner theatre show which we really enjoyed.  I can't help you on entertainment as it was Blue Man Group and Legends in Concert the last time we were on Epic (now it's Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Burn the Floor).  Epic can be a bit more troublesome to find a lounge chair in the sun sometimes due to the deck space set up.

 

Overall though, both ships are GREAT and if you enjoyed Escape, you should enjoy Epic as well.

[Laszlo]

6 hours ago, Vyhanek said:

The public spaces are so terribly designed...at the expense of squeezing in as many cabins as possible that there really isn't any public space on the ship you can see the ocean!

So your saying their is not any type of promenade lower deck to walk around outside?

[Bonnie1222]

Has anyone sailed on these 2 ships since the refurbs?  The Epic is coming to Port Canaveral now (canceled Europe sailings) and I could do the exact cruise I am doing on the Escape for $500 less.  I am trying to decide if the savings is worth moving ships.  I have only been on the Breakaway and we really liked it.

Thanks